The title of this article really caught my attention. Instructors used an electronic response system to enhance student-centered learning in large and small college biology classes. The authors found that the system worked well to engage students in learning the subject matter and to assess their prior knowledge and misconceptions. It provided useful feedback to students as well as instructors. The authors did encounter problems that resulted mainly from not having permanent installation of the hardware components in the large class. A very interesting article on this subject.
Hatch, J., Jensen, M, and Moore R. (2005) Manna from Heaven or "Clickers" from Hell: Experiences with an Electronic Response System. Journal of College Science Teaching, 34 (7) 36.
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2 comments:
Hi Ken,
Thanks for pointing out the article. I will have to look it up on the internet. I was wondering if the clickers would be more useful in a smaller setting? Playing devils advocate, I wonder if students in a larger class may decide to play "games" by selecting the wrong answers just to disrupt instruction. Students in a smaller group may participate more because they may be identified easier, if that makes sense.
In terms of a cost issue, the smaller group may be cheaper because you can have better control on the inventory. Did the reseachers say if the instructor was able to track the wrong answers to provide possible individual assistance?
Ken
I just started using the clickers and my class is a moderate size (about 40). However, I worry that as you say students will enter the wrong answer just to disrupt class. I have not had this problem yet. I teach at a community college and hopefully this is more of an issue in K-12 instruction (I hope!).
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