Clicker @ SDSU
SDSU Instructional Technology Services
What are "Clickers"?
"Clickers" are hand-held devices which enable increased interaction between students and faculty in the classroom. Clicker keypads wirelessly transmit student input to a receiver connected to a computer used by an instructor. Typically, instructors use this sort of response system to present questions throughout a presentation providing feedback about student skills and knowledge. Clickers may also be used for participation points, quizzes, group activities, and more.
Students need only one i>clicker device even though they may have multiple courses using the i>clicker. The i>clicker device costs $44.99. Used clickers may be available from the bookstore.
Why i>clickers?
SDSU has had a campus standard response system since 2003. In the Spring of 2011, the SDSU Instructional Technology Services (ITS) department convened a taskforce to re-evaluate the response system that was currently in place. This group of faculty, staff, and students agreed that a change was needed, resulting in the selection of i>clicker2 as the SDSU campus standard beginning Fall 2011. i>clicker2 was selected based on various criteria including: cost, user experience, required faculty preparation, stability, software features, tech support, successful examples from other universities, cross platform compatibility, compliance with accessibility and privacy standards, and ease of transition.
About i>clicker
i>clicker began in 1997 when a faculty team at University of Illinois began experimenting with solutions to facilitate student polling. In 2005, Macmillan acquired i>clicker, allowing for significant investments in i>clicker hardware and software. Today, inventors Tim Stelzer and Mats Selen remain deeply involved in product development and commitment to learning pedagogy. In a very short time, i>clicker has been adopted by thousands of higher ed faculty and is used by more than 1.5 million students at more than 800 institutions worldwide.
Support
Fall 2011, a small group of faculty began using the new i>clickers. We were all thrilled with the ease of use and reliability. In order to support i>clicker deployment, SDSU ITS will:
- Offer 1:1, departmental, and formal training opportunities to faculty
- Provide resources, links, and guides on this website
- Manage the i>clicker program
- Plan lunch events for training and sharing
- Distribute i>clicker software and hardware (receiver, instructor remote, and 1 student remote)
- Maintain an interest list online
- Clicker question and activity resource guide