Use of e-clicker devices

Use of e-clicker devices: Step-by-step description

For more information contact: Thomas Eckl , Peter Giblin .

This is how Peter Giblin used the e-clickers in each of his MATH104 lectures.

He tended to ask the questions in a block at the beginning of a lecture revising material from the previous lecture or two, but it could be done during the lecture asking questions on the current work.

distribute e-clickers at the beginning of the lecture
display a slide asking the students to turn them on and send 15 to the receiver
prepare in advance 2 or 3 questions each of which has the same number of alternative answers (Peter has used 2, 4 and 5 possible answers). They are on powerpoint, and are displayed one at a time.
state the question in other words to make sure that everyone understands
give the students 2-4 minutes to consult and think about it, depending on how difficult the question is
close the session when 30-40 answers have come in
switch to the display of the laptop and show the result without saying which is correct
discuss the answers. As a rule the right answer is the "majority vote" but there are often substantial numbers voting for one of the wrong answers: explain why they are wrong.
go on to the next question
after the last question display a slide asking them to switch off the e-clickers
collect the e-clickers at the end. If there is a lecture immediately afterwards let them collect in plastic bags by the students after the end of the e-clicker session, and arrange them in the holders afterwards.