Gateway

Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: News

Mary Levestue uses a clicker during Tuesday's information session. (photo by Ranae Duncan) [Click to enlarge]

A new learning tool called the Classroom Performance System, more commonly called the clicker, is becoming more common in the classroom at UNO.

The clicker allows students to provide feedback and responses to the class through the small device. Those answers are transmitted by radio wave to the professor as a way of gauging whether students understand the lesson.

Sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development, an informational session about the tool was held in the Milo Bail Student Center's Chancellor Room on Oct. 30.

So far, students seem to be embracing the device, said Jonna Holland, an assistant professor in the College of Business and one of the session's presenters.

"They tell me that it wakes them up. I really like getting that honest and anonymous feedback. They really like the fact that they have invested in this tool and that it's going to help them with their grade," said Holland.

Ted Turgeon, UNO multimedia support coordinator, said, "[The clicker] allows you to evaluate student mastery on reply. It provides a tool for automatic grading and attendance. [Professors] can look over the results and go over points they need to emphasize." He said the clicker allows for multiple-version testing, as well.

According to a survey organized by Holland for the fall semester, 48 percent of students surveyed agreed that clicker questions helped them learn. Also, 31 percent of surveyed students felt neutral and 14 percent disagreed.

In the spring 2007 semester, Holland did another student survey. When asked if students liked getting instant feedback, 86 percent strongly agreed, and 14 percent agreed.

The new technology is making its way around campus. While regularly used in the College of Business Administration, Tomm Roland, a professor in the Music department and session presenter, has started using the clicker in his classes as well.

"I was very interested in the testing side of it. The nice thing about this is you can go in, edit the exam and re-grade questions," said Roland.

The clicker is sold in the UNO bookstore for $20. Students must register their clickers on Blackboard and pay a $15 registration fee per semester.

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