WHY WERE CLICKERS INVENTED?

• 1972—Consensor—Bill Simmons – retired IBM Executive.

• A need to access, evaluate, and extend classroom activities.

• A need for students to be active participants in their learning/lesson.

BENEFITS OF CLICKERSImprove attentivenessIncrease knowledge retentionPoll anonymouslyTrack individual responsesDisplay polling results immediatelyCreate an interactive and fun learning environmentConfirm audience understanding of key points

immediatelyGather data for reporting and analysis

DEVELOPMENT 1966 Hollywood used clickers to poll audiences

Late 1960’s IBM used them for interactive board meetings.

Rice College was one of the first colleges to use Audio response systems.

Today’s use in K-12 classrooms

COMMERCIALIZATIONProductionManufacturingPackaging and MarketingDistribution

REASONS forPRODUCTION and MANUFACTURING

Improve AttentivenessIncrease Knowledge RetentionPoll AnonymouslyTrack Individual ResponsesDisplay Polling Results ImmediatelyCreate an Interactive and Fun Learning

EnvironmentConfirm Audience Understanding of Key

Points ImmediatelyGather Data for Reporting and Analysis

PLACES CLICKERS ARE USEDEducationCorporate TrainingControl Self-AssessmentDelegate VotingMarketing ResearchDecision SupportGame Shows (Audience Response)Conferences and EventsExecutive Decision MakingContinuing Medical Education

PACKAGING and MARKETING•Easy to store system

•Typically sold as classroom sets

•Software with a variety of functions.• Test generator• Prepackaged power

point lessons• Data analysis charts

and graphs• Grade book programs

DISTRIBUTIONInternet

eInstructionSMART Student Response SystemIRespond

I know that the “clickers” began being used in 1960. However, I can’t find any data for their diffusion.

Innovators and Early Adopters New Teachers –eager to try new things Technology Savvy Teachers—always eager for new technology. Assessment Oriented teachers—always looking for now ways to assess

students’ knowledge. Relative Advantage Compatibility

Laggards Veteran Teachers—teachers set in their ways Non-tech Teachers—teachers who are uncomfortable with technology.

Relative Advantage Complexity Trial ability

Perceived attributes to help clickers meet critical mass Relative Advantage Trial Ability

ReferencesClickers on WikipediaConsensor and ComTec History IBM Study Proves Use of Student Response S

ystems Increases AttentivenessThe Features and Potential of Interactive Res

ponse System