Student Response Systems UofAs research

1
Student Response Systems UofAs research
development strategy April 2, 2008Office
of the Vice-Provost (Information Technology) for
the Committee on the Learning Environment
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How much do you know about student response
systems a.k.a. clickers?

• A. I am a world class expert.
• B. I have dabbled with this technology.
• C. I have heard titillating rumours.
• D. What the heck is a clicker?
• E. Arent clickers used to train horses dogs?

3
What is igtclicker?

• Software floats above any application
• Results previewed on the receiver
• Receiver powered via USB
• 900 MHZ

• 3 AAA batteries
• 200 hours of use
• Low battery indicator

4
In 2006, we became interested in Student Response
Systems (SRS) because

• Several UofA instructors were using this
  technology to enhance student learning
  engagement
• The effectiveness of SRS in combination with
  active learning methods was increasingly reported
  in the academic community
• We were concerned that students might be asked to
  buy more than one brand of remote

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An instructor might use an SRS to

• Stimulate interaction especially in large
  classes
• Understand share student perspectives
• Catalyze debate discussion about controversial
  topics
• Evaluate student learning
• Demonstrate common errors in student reasoning
• Inform subsequent teaching

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Teaching with Technology Initiative (TTI) SRS
Research Findings

• When instructors effectively used SRSs, students
  reported that this technology helped
• Improve their learning
• Build understanding of concepts
• Increase their focus engagement
• Identify misunderstandings areas to study
• Demonstrate progress in learning the material

• Instructors state that using an SRS helped them
  to
• Increase student discussion
• Increase interaction
• Stimulate a debate about controversial issues
• Check student comprehension
• Prepare students for exam
• Make lectures fun for instructor students

7
What do you think about discontinuing the use of
credit cards for tuition payments?

• A. Discontinue credit card payments
• B. Allow credit card payments
• C. More time is necessary to consider this matter
• D. Undecided

8
Using igtclicker anonymously made it easier for me
to answer the previous question.

• A. Strongly Disagree
• B. Disagree
• C. Neutral
• D. Agree
• E. Strongly Agree

9
Indicate the extent to which you agree or
disagree with the following statement

• Student behaviours (e.g. effort, participation,
  adherence to class rules) should NOT be included
  in grades.
• A. Strongly Agree
• B. Agree
• C. Disagree
• D. Strongly Disagree

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QUESTION 1
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Student Response System Selection Process

• Selection Committee Members
• Instructors
• Faculty-based Support staff
• AICT
• Bookstore
• Office of Vice Provost (IT)
• Request For Proposals (RFP) process
• Vendor proposals demonstrations

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igtclicker selected as preferred vendor because

• Fastest solution available (750 votes/second)
• Most reliable solution available Very low chance
  of lost votes
• Most reasonably-priced
• Easy to learn use

13
UofAs collaborative implementation strategy for
igtclicker

• AICT Classroom Support
• Provides technical support
• Manages distribution of receivers
• Bookstore
• Manages sales of remotes to students buy back
  policy
• 35 with 50 buyback
• Office of Vice Provost (Information Technology)
• Co-ordinates initial roll out
• Provides initial training to support staff

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igtclicker at UofA

• For more information, go to www.vpit.ualberta.ca/
  elearning/srs
• For more information on igtclicker, go to
  www.iclicker.com