2008 Woodie Awards
'Clickers' liven classrooms
Sarah Zeeck
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
While the use of most electronic devices is discouraged in the classroom, one gadget is sanctioned by Western Illinois University professors.
The "clicker" resembles a remote control and is operated by students to answer multiple choice questions projected on a screen.
It requires a unit called a CPS, or Classroom Performance System, and is comprised of a projector, receiver and the clicker, or response pad, students need to purchase individually.
"A lot of campuses across the country are using them now," said University Union Bookstore assistant manager Sara Thomas.
She added the units can be implemented in the classroom in a variety of ways, including use for quizzes, tests, in-class participation and attendance.
Currently, two teachers on Western's Macomb campus use this system.
Geology professor Kyle Mayborn uses the CPS system for his Geology 110 class. He said he has students operate the clickers during the lecture to make sure they understand the material presented.
According to Mayborn, the clickers help to make what was once a boring lecture class more interesting by getting students involved.
Marketing department chair John Drea said he uses the response pads "primarily to measure understanding of what is going on in class."
Drea, who uses the CPS system in his Marketing Principles 327 class, said the device helps provide a more accurate measure of who is participating in class.
"In big classes, associating who said what and who did what can get difficult," Drea added.
Mayborn said the CPS system allows students to think about what teachers present in lectures and provides professors with immediate feedback regarding what students have learned.
CPS response pads are available at the Union Bookstore for $20.75. Additionally, students must register the product online before class, which includes another fee. For more information on CPS technology, visit www.einstruction.com.
The "clicker" resembles a remote control and is operated by students to answer multiple choice questions projected on a screen.
It requires a unit called a CPS, or Classroom Performance System, and is comprised of a projector, receiver and the clicker, or response pad, students need to purchase individually.
"A lot of campuses across the country are using them now," said University Union Bookstore assistant manager Sara Thomas.
She added the units can be implemented in the classroom in a variety of ways, including use for quizzes, tests, in-class participation and attendance.
Currently, two teachers on Western's Macomb campus use this system.
Geology professor Kyle Mayborn uses the CPS system for his Geology 110 class. He said he has students operate the clickers during the lecture to make sure they understand the material presented.
According to Mayborn, the clickers help to make what was once a boring lecture class more interesting by getting students involved.
Marketing department chair John Drea said he uses the response pads "primarily to measure understanding of what is going on in class."
Drea, who uses the CPS system in his Marketing Principles 327 class, said the device helps provide a more accurate measure of who is participating in class.
"In big classes, associating who said what and who did what can get difficult," Drea added.
Mayborn said the CPS system allows students to think about what teachers present in lectures and provides professors with immediate feedback regarding what students have learned.
CPS response pads are available at the Union Bookstore for $20.75. Additionally, students must register the product online before class, which includes another fee. For more information on CPS technology, visit www.einstruction.com.
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