Clickers and active learning strategies: A synergistic approach to evaluate student learning in an advanced level biology class

TitleClickers and active learning strategies: A synergistic approach to evaluate student learning in an advanced level biology class
Publication TypeTAR Project
AuthorsBailey D
InstitutionHoward
Year of Publication2011
AbstractThe emergence of “remote personal response system” devices, commonly known as clickers in university classrooms allows faculty to receive instant feedback to ensure students understand essential concepts. This system is used in many different teaching methods, disciplines and promotes student learning by:
1. Keeping students engaged and motivated during class
2. Instructors can adapt to student needs based on immediate responses
3. Students validate their own learning
In this way the instructor can ensure students are clear on a particular concept before advancing to a new one. While ongoing research on the uses and effectiveness of clickers continues, the general consensus is that clickers have great potential for improving instruction in large and small classrooms (Caldwell 2006). The clicker technology for the proposed study will be incorporated in Cell Biology (BIO 310), an advanced science course at Howard University during fall 2011.
KeywordsHowardTAR
ObjectivesThe course enrolls approximately 25 students and the main objective is to determine whether clickers have a positive impact on individual student performance. Previous research has demonstrated that students show a preference for interaction and immediacy (Howe & Strauss, 2000; Skiba & Barton, 2006). Also, retention and comprehension are enhanced when students are actively engaged in the learning process (Moredich & Moore, 2007; Trotter, 2005). In this study, we plan to not only implement clickers as a tool to assess student performance, but incorporate other active learning strategies, such as think-pair-share simultaneously with the clickers. Against this backdrop, we seek to investigate how active learning strategies (e.g. clicker technology and think-pair-share) can work synergistically to increase student involvement and enthusiasm.
StatusOngoing
Department/DisciplineDepartment of Biology