Personal Response Systems: Making an Informed Choice

Abstract

The use of personal response systems, commonly referred to as clickers, lends itself well to supporting active learning, particularly in a large classroom setting. However, the market is expanding and the options available to instructors can be overwhelming. This chapter serves as a guide to instructors, presenting some factors to consider when choosing a personal response system. It includes a brief discussion about how clickers can be used in the college setting to promote active learning, with a focus on the importance of clicker question design and effective strategies for implementation. Informed by faculty interviews and student surveys, it provides an overview of the types of clicker-based technologies currently available, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. It ends with a discussion about what students and faculty think about the various options for clickers and their use, as well as questions to consider when selecting a personal response system for one’s classroom.