Clickers in Large Classes: From Student Perceptions Towards an Understanding of Best Practices

Abstract

Handheld wireless transponders, commonly referred to as ‘clickers’, are similar to standard household remote controls. The present study advances a dialogue in the literature about the specific ways in which clickers may be effectively used in the classroom. The present study was a survey of 516 students who were using clickers in a university course in 2006 or 2007. Student perceptions related to the use of clickers were more favorable in 2007 than in 2006. In addition, responses were more positive among introductory psychology students compared to other participants. Almost half (46%) of the responses to an open-ended question about the ‘most helpful’ uses of clickers included comments that the clickers had helped in some way with understanding course material, and almost 20% said that the clickers had helped them to prepare for examinations.

Keywords

• Clickers
• Large classes
• Transponders
• Perceptions
• Best practices