Using classroom response systems to enhance student engagement

Feb. 20th - 3:45 - 5:15 pm Belk Pavilion 201

Presented by Derek Bruff, Vanderbilt University

About classroom response systems

Classroom response systems, or “clickers,” are instructional technologies that enable teachers to rapidly collect and analyze students’ responses to multiple-choice and free-response questions during class. Bruff helps college and university instructors explore types of questions and activities that take advantage of these technologies to productively transform the way they use class time.

Instructors who teach with clickers have many choices to make: What kinds of clicker questions work best? How should I structure class around clicker questions? What grading scheme is most appropriate? Answers to these questions depend on the instructor’s particular teaching context—the institution, the discipline, the course, the students, the instructor’s teaching philosophy and experience, and so on. This workshop will explore a variety of possible answers to these and other teaching choices faculty might encounter when teaching with clickers and, perhaps more importantly, provide participants with useful frameworks to help them think more intentionally about their teaching choices.

About Derek Bruff

Derek Bruff is Director of the Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching and senior lecturer in mathematics, Derek consults regularly with instructors in a variety of disciplines at Vanderbilt and elsewhere about educational technology and other teaching and learning topics. Bruff’s research interests center on investigating effective uses of “classroom response systems”. His book on the topic, Teaching with Classroom Response Systems: Creating Active Learning Environments, was published by Jossey-Bass in February 2009. Prior to his current position, Bruff taught in the mathematics department at Harvard University.

RSVP by February 13th to Barbara Guy. Space is limited in this workshop.