UAB Clickers

In an effort to establish a well supported, cost-effective use of clickers ("classroom interactive response systems"), and to assist with their integration across campus, UAB has selected eInstruction as the standard UAB Response System. The eInstruction system was chosen for its ease of use, compatibility with UAB computing environment and technical support.

What are Clickers?

Clickers, or Interactive Personal Response Systems, are small wireless handheld keypads resembling a TV remote control that allow students to respond to classroom questions, polls and quizzes. Faculty can instantly collect individual student responses and display the data back to the class in the form of charts. The collected data allows faculty to adjust instruction and provides students with prompt feedback.

Clickers are well suited for class discussion and have been shown to promote students' interaction and engagement. Faculty using clickers have reported an increase in attendance, with students actively participating and better prepared for class.

UAB Clicker Platform: eInstruction CPS RF

The Classroom Performance System includes a receiver which is attached to the instructor's computer and works with the CPS software to record students' answers. Students use a radio frequency response pad to send in their responses.

How Do I Get Started?

Faculty

Faculty interested in implementing eInstruction clickers should request an instructor kit. Once requested, a kit can be acquired at G28, Lister Hill Library. It includes a receiver which handles over 1000 students simultaneously, the CPS software and a clicker pad to test the system.

*Coming Summer 2009* - A list of technology enhanced classrooms equipped with eInstruction receivers will be available at http://www.uab.edu/it/instech/classrooms.html.

For use in other classrooms, faculty should use the individual receiver included in their instructor kits.

To obtain their free instructor kit faculty should fill out the Instructor Kit Request Form.

The information faculty will need to provide:

• Name
• Address (Please use a physical address, not a PO Box)
• Phone #
• Course
• Department
• Over all number of students who will be using clickers
  

Students

Student eInstruction response pads (transmitters) are available through the Barnes & Noble UAB bookstore and Snoozy's for approximately $22.00 each. Students will be given instructions within their Blackboard Vista course as to how to register the pad. The pad can be used in multiple classes.

Bookstore ISBNs and Approximate Pricing

Why use Clickers?

Used properly with well-designed questions, clickers have been found to enhance learning through increased interaction and motivation, and with students engaged in what is happening in class. Clickers also provide on-the-spot valuable data about students' understanding of class material, allowing faculty to adjust instruction accordingly.

Benefits to students

Students can...

• Become active participants in class
• Get instant feedback on their knowledge and/or comprehension
• Receive instruction adapted to their immediate needs
• Find out how they measure up to the rest of the class
• Voice their opinion without apprehension or embarrassment
• Express themselves in spite of shyness
• Identify areas they need to improve on
  

Benefits to Faculty

Faculty can...

• Gather data to gauge students' comprehension before moving on
• Poll students and display class results instantly
• Enhance large lecture class with increased student participation and interaction
• Increase students' understanding and retention of topics by keeping them engaged
• Allow anonymity on controversial questions
• Provide feedback to students on their understanding
• Check if students can apply a concept to a different context
• Transform one-way teacher lecture into teacher-student interaction
• Get a large volume of individual answers immediately
• Reduce time on administrative tasks such as grading and taking attendance
  

Getting Help

For issues with the eInstruction Response System pads, software and features, please contact:

eInstruction Technical Support
Phone: 888.333.4988

Monday - Thursday: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. CST
Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST

e-mail or Live Chat:http://www.einstruction.com/support

For issues using the eInstruction Response System within your technology enhanced classroom, please contact:

AskIT at 205-996-5555 (6-5555 on campus) or by e-mail at AskIT@uab.edu.

UAB Contact - Françoise Lefort, UAB Instructional Technology, at 934-0455 or flefort@uab.edu

eInstruction Training and Guides

Training

http://www.einstruction.com/support_downloads/training.html - click on CPS 5.4 Training Videos - Higher Education

eInstruction Guides/Manuals

CPSOnline Higher Ed Instructor Setup Guide

Quick Course Teacher's Guide

CPS Level 1 Training Workbook

Clickers Resources/References

7 things you should know about... Clickers

Clickers: A Teaching Gimmick that Works

No Wrong Answer: Click It

Twelve Tips For Using a Computerized Interactive Audience Response?

Clicking on or off? Lecturers' rationale for using student response systems

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indicates an external link to a third-party website. Links to third-party websites are provided solely as a convenience to users of this page, and are provided for informational/resource purposes only.  UAB does not have a contract with such sites and has not reviewed any ‘click’ agreements that may be required for use of the web sites.  Use of any third-party link/site is strictly at the discretion of the individual user.