i>Clickers in Math Classes
Jason Lutz
April 23, 2012
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Goals
1
Demonstrate the polling abilities of the i>Clickers.
2
Discuss good and bad uses of the i>Clickers.
3
Discuss types of questions and their applications.
4
Note: This is not meant to replace the training through UNL
Learning Spaces, which is offered before the beginning of each
semester.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
The i>Clickers
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Getting Started
Setting the Clicker’s frequency
1
Press the Power button to start the Clicker.
2
Hold the Power button for two seconds.
3
Press “C” twice to set the Clicker to frequency CC (the
frequency assigned for this room).
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Question Types
1
Multiple choice (A - E)
2
Numerical (with some special characters)
3
Text entry
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Example - Multiple Choice
Question: Which of the following best describes the slope and
y -intercept of the line y = 3x − 2?
A. Slope: 2, y -intercept: (0, 3).
B. Slope: 3, y -intercept: (2, 0).
C. Slope: −2, y -intercept: (3, 0).
D. Slope: 3, y -intercept: (0, −2).
E. Slope: 3, y -intercept: (−2, 0).
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Example - Multiple Choice
Question: Which of the following best describes the slope and
y -intercept of the line y = 3x − 2?
A. Slope: 2, y -intercept: (0, 3).
B. Slope: 3, y -intercept: (2, 0).
C. Slope: −2, y -intercept: (3, 0).
D. Slope: 3, y -intercept: (0, −2).
E. Slope: 3, y -intercept: (−2, 0).
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Example - Numerical Entry
(Remember to reset your clicker when polling begins!)
Question: Solve for x to 2 decimal places:
2 + x = π.
Solution:
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Example - Numerical Entry
(Remember to reset your clicker when polling begins!)
Question: Solve for x to 2 decimal places:
2 + x = π.
Solution: x = 1.14.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Example - Text Entry
(Remember to reset your clicker when polling begins!)
Question: What is the two letter postal abbreviation for the state
of Nebraska?
Answer:
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Example - Text Entry
(Remember to reset your clicker when polling begins!)
Question: What is the two letter postal abbreviation for the state
of Nebraska?
Answer: NE.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Good Clicker Use
Create questions in advance and build lesson around the
questions.
Give on-the-fly questions to test students’ understanding of
concepts.
Use Clickers to award participation points.
Ideally, these techniques will increase student participation and
success.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Bad Clicker Use
Use only for taking attendance.
Use rarely in class.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Levels of Difficulty
From Cornell’s GoodQuestions Project:
1
Quick Check: Designed to quickly check the students’ basic
understanding of the material.
2
Probing: Usually requires some thought and extension
beyond basic concepts.
3
Deep: Difficult questions that will usually require instructor
intervention to help guide students in the right direction.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
A Good Question?
Question: In the equation x 2 + 4x = −4, x is a number.
A. True.
B. False.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
A Good Question?
Question: In the equation x 2 + 4x = −4, x is a number.
A. True, and I am sure.
B. True, but I am not sure.
C. I am not sure whether it is true or false.
D. False, but I am not sure.
E. False, and I am very sure.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Features
Windows and Mac versions of software. No installation
required.
Unique radio-frequency identification (RFID) code associated
with each Clicker.
i>Clicker gradebook integrated with Blackboard.
Students may register their Clickers on Blackboard, or via
“roll call”.
Anonymously collect demographic information.
Analyze the results of a poll using the demographic
information.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Example - Demographic Information
Question: Imagine that there is a rope around the equator of the
earth (assumed to be a perfect sphere). Add a 60 foot segment of
rope to it. The new rope is held in a circular shape centered about
the earth. Then the following can walk beneath the rope without
touching it:
A. an amoeba
B. an ant
C. James Carraher
D. all of the above , - there will be 60/2π ≈ 9.5 feet under the
rope.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Example - Demographic Information
Question: Imagine that there is a rope around the equator of the
earth (assumed to be a perfect sphere). Add a 60 foot segment of
rope to it. The new rope is held in a circular shape centered about
the earth. Then the following can walk beneath the rope without
touching it:
A. an amoeba
B. an ant
C. James Carraher
D. all of the above - there will be 60/2π ≈ 9.5 feet under the
rope.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Possible Improvements
1
Increased functionality of question editor.
2
Development of self-paced polling.
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Resources
1
UNL Learning Spaces
2
Merlot Mathematics - ConcepTest integrated lessons
3
Carroll College MATHQUEST/MathVote
4
Cornell GoodQuestions Project
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes
Thanks!
Jason Lutz
i>Clickers in Math Classes