Review of Next Generation of Clickers

The CTLT is currently investigating the field of available clicker technologies to replace the current Qwizdom clickers and to provide a reference and recommendation to the U of R community for this technology.

Review Criteria

Although there are many facets to the adoption of classroom response systems, there is a fairly common list among higher ed instiutions that employ clickers in classes. Yet there should be an understanding that the list and relative order of importance will vary across a single campus. A list is included below and is available for comment.

• Overall Software Features (and Clicker Features)

• Ease of Use

• Durability

• Maintenance

• Battery Use/Life

• Clicker Size/Weight/Layout of Keys

• Receiver (RF versus IR)

• Cross‐Platform Connectivity (Mac and Windows)

• Integration with Blackboard

• Cost (Both Clickers and Receivers)

Notes: System should be easy to use at first, but flexible enough that more advanced things can be done with the system as the instructor and students become familiar with the technology. In both models of departmental set acquisition and bookstore purchase by students, the costs should be minimal. System should be as compatible with existing software (programs, operating systems, and course management systems) as possible. Systems should provide enough information to ensure the instructor is getting adequate feedback, to ensure the students' responses are accurately recorded, and to correlate response with students and receivers.

Feature Comparison Matrix

Brand ->	H-ITT	H-ITT	iclicker	eInstruction	Interwrite	Interwrite	Turning Point	Turning Point
Model (URL)	TX3100	TX3200	iclicker	CPS RF	PRS RF	Cricket	Response Card RF	Response Card XR
Software	free download	free download	free download	free download	free download	free download	school site license	school site license
Software Platform	Mac, Windows, Linux	Mac, Windows, Linux	Mac and Windows	Mac and Windows	Mac, Windows, Linux	Mac, Windows, Linux	Mac, Windows, Linux	Mac, Windows, Linux
Software Integration	with Blackboard	with Blackboard	with Blackboard	with Blackboard	with Blackboard	with Blackboard	with Blackboard	with Blackboard
Self-paced	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Works with PPT?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery Type (Batter Life)	2-AAA (1 year)	2-AAA (1 year)	3-AAA (200hrs of use)	2-AA (1 year)	3-AAA (20 weeks)	2-AAA (26 weeks)	2 coin cells (6-12 months)	2-AAA (6-12 months)
Transmission Type	RF	RF	RF	RF	RF	RF	RF	RF
Range	300 ft	300 ft	200 ft	200 ft	150 ft	150 ft	200 ft	200 ft
Question Type Supported	10 multiple choice	Alphanumeric, Multi-Digit, Decimal Point,Positive/Negative	5 multiple choice	12-character numeric	multiple choice, true/false, numeric, short answer, multiple correct, rank order, decimal point, fractions and positive/negative numbers, hi/low confidence	6 multiple choice, T/F	10 multiple choice	Alphanumeric, Multi-Digit, Decimal Point,Positive/Negative
Student Transmission Feedback	Sends confirmation to transmitter	Sends confirmation to transmitter	Sends confirmation to transmitter	Sends confirmation to transmitter	Sends confirmation to transmitter	Sends confirmation to transmitter	Sends confirmation to transmitter	Sends confirmation to transmitter
Miscellaneous	response data saved in XML and exportable to spreadsheets, SDK, 3rd Party apps	response data saved in XML and exportable to spreadsheets, SDK, 3rd Party apps				generates reports

Links to Reviews

"Clicker Evolution: Seeking Intelligent Design" in Life Sciences Education (PDF)

SDSU Review and Adoption Report (MS Word Doc)

Links to Best Practices Documents

"Teaching with Clickers" in Tomorrow's Professor Blog

"Teaching with Clickers" - University of Michigan CRLT Occasional Paper (PDF)