Classes decked out with tech updates

Student response systems debut  in classrooms. 3-D technology is in the works to make courses interactive. 

GC classrooms are receiving technology updates, which include devices that make classroom learning more effective and interactive.

The Student Response System, informally referred to as the clicker has already made its debut in classes. 

Lauren Penson

Students in Dr. Oetter’s Intro to Weather and Climate use Clickers to add an interactive element in their class. Students Nikki Smith, senior geography major, Ryan Lubin, senior geography and history double major, Mia McMahon, senior geography major and Jeff Bahls, senior geography major enjoying clicking away.

James Carlisle, director of technology support services, stated clickers work similarly to devices used in TV shows such as America’s Funniest Home Videos. By using software developed by Turning Technologies in conjunction with Microsoft PowerPoint, the slide show becomes interactive.

Professors may present questions for the students to answer anonymously and receive immediate feedback. This system makes it possible for professors to gauge student responses.

Because of the software capabilities, it is possible for the student to use the same clicker for several different classes. Students would just have to register the device with Turning Technologies. Almost every class has clicker capabilities, but the ultimate decision of whether or not to utilize them rests with the faculty. There are no requirements as to the size or subject of the classes to can use them.

However, there are drawbacks.

“It’s still in the early stages,” Carlisle said.

Work is currently being done to standardize the response systems used in classes. At least three brands of response systems are available in stores and it would be inconvenient if each class required the use of a different brand.

The ideal situation would be if the student could purchase one clicker and use it for multiple subjects. For those who may not want to buy the physical response system, there is an application available for smart phones.

Student feedback plays a vital role in the formation of clickers in the classroom. Emily James, junior early childhood education major, has had bad experiences using clickers. She stated there were issues with the software; sometimes the computer would not recognize certain clickers, even if they had been registered. The professor also had difficulties with the devices, according to James.

“It is a great way to tell if everyone is on the same page,” James said, “I think it would be better if they were passed around to the class (classroom set), ”

Sam Koran, sophomore nursing major, also has experience with clickers.

“They worked better for quizzes, but were more confusing then necessary,” Koran said.

Another form of technology that will soon make its way into the classroom is the same seen hitting theaters — 3-D.

Carlisle admits that he had been skeptical of the idea at first, but has since seen the many benefits of using 3-D projection technology in the classroom. Images in 3-D can better simulate reality, having depth that a flat image does not have.

This would be useful when looking at a diagram of the human body or an engine. The technology in the classroom would also be a benefit to the many students who are visual learners.

“Without content, you have no 3-D,” Carlisle said about the delay in using 3-D technology.

The largest issue so far is the clarity of the image. For an image to become three dimensional, it must be passed through a shutter. The glasses worn in a movie theater reassemble that image. The projector, however, can cause the image to become dark and blurry. The best kind to use would be a high-lumen projector, the lumen being a unit measuring the total brightness coming from a light source. Silver screens have been purchased for 3-D projection because of how reflective they are.

Clickers continue to make learning more effective in classrooms and the unveiling of 3-D technology is soon to follow.

Posted by Caitlin Mullaney on Aug 25 2011. Filed under News, Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.