A few years ago, a parent community organization purchased a student response system, which included software for the teacher and a remote control “clicker” for each student. It was cumbersome to lug around, involved an expensive upfront cost and difficult to set up. Teachers were frustrated and the time spent collecting an assessment digitally far exceeded the time needed using traditional methods.
The idea of a student response system was a strong idea, but the tech got in the way. Lets fast forward…
Just a few short years later, a product called Plickers (available on iOS and Android) removes a need for a clicker or 1:1 setup in your classroom for quick assessments. No longer do we need either remote control or device for each student. No need to wheel down a cart of devices either. The only thing needed to capture the power of Plickers is a teacher phone or tablet and a piece of paper for each student.
There has been some recent sharing of this tool directly with our staff and I also wanted to pass along a solid, simple assessment tool on my site.
The setup is easy:
- Create a Plickers account, download app
- Enter each student’s name
- Print out an 8.5×11 paper “clicker” for each student (Example photo on the right)
- Enter questions on Plicker site
- Open the app on the device and collect responses
- Save responses to collect detailed information to improve lesson planning
- Plickers Support if need be
Plickers instantaneously gathers feedback and offers the teacher the ability to share the information on their laptop through a projector. There are even ways outside of the classroom to use this tool (quick poll of teachers at a staff meeting). There is a limitation to the types of questions that will work, but in the simplicity and limitations is the value add. It is quick, light and easy. Layering functions that might be used on occasion will only turn this tool off for users.
Plickers has created free, easy “dipstick” tool, exit ticket and formative assessment software that just about everyone can use!