Clickers
Student response systems, or clickers, allow students to participate in presentations or lectures by submitting responses to interactive questions using a hand-held student response device called a clicker. Clickers are growing in popularity at the University of Denver as more instructors learn about the benefits of student response systems. Following the 2007 CTL conference, DU faculty members agreed that it made sense to pick one clicker standard for the University of Denver. A committee was formed to evaluate clicker vendors and made a recommendation to adopt Turning Point as the single clicker standard for the University of Denver beginning Fall 2007.
The Center for Teaching and Learning offers workshops and provides one-on-one training for instructors about how to effectively use clickers in the classroom. The division of Natural Sciences, the School of Engineering and Computer Science, and the division of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences are organizing clicker workshops for their colleagues with funding from the CTL's Faculty-Designed Workshops on Effective Teaching grants.
Support
Technical support for clickers is provided by TurningPoint. Live phone support is available from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm Mountain Time, Monday through Friday.
Toll Free Telephone Support: 1.866.746.3015
Email: support@turningtechnologies.com
Students may purchase clickers from the DU Bookstore and instructors should include orders for clickers in their book orders. Students may sell their clickers back to the bookstore at the end of the term if clickers are being used in the upcoming term.
The Center for Teaching & Learning provides training and support to DU faculty who are interested in teaching with clickers. Customized handouts and more information about clicker usage at DU is posted on the Clickers at DU portfolio community.
University of Denver Case Studies
Coming Soon! Find out how DU instructors are using clickers.
Research & Best Practices
Research supports the belief that clicker usage, along with well-designed questions, has the potential to dramatically enhance learning. Clickers create interactive classrooms that engage students and personalize the education experience through instantaneous feedback (TurningPoint). Below are links to selected articles and other student response system resources.
7 Things You Should Know About Clickers
Students and Professors Click with Technology
Clickers in the large classroom: Current research and best-practice tips
Transforming Student Learning with Classroom Communication Systems