Hunter Revell, S.M. & McCurry, M.K. (2010). Engaging millennial learners: Effectiveness of personal response system technology with nursing students in small and large classrooms. Journal of Nursing Education, 49(5), 272-275. doi: 10:3928/01484834-2009-07
This article reports the results of a study on the use of
personal response systems (PRS) in the classroom. A large (n=116) and small
(n=33) were compared and there were no significant differences found between
classrooms when it comes to the benefits of using PRS. The study supported
previous work in determining that PRS use increased participation of learners
in the classroom. Interestingly, the authors pointed out that using technology
in the classroom demonstrates an understanding of the millennial learner
(students born after 1982) who have an interest in technology, preferring active
learning and group work. The benefits of PRS were immediate feedback to
determine the course of learning and promotion of an active and engaging
learning environment. PRS were also found to bridge the gap created by faculty
shortages and larger classrooms. Students appreciated the opportunity to
experience a variety of test questions and apply material covered in lecture.
Students in the study identified other used for PRS including exam reviews,
test prep sessions, attendance and the introduction of discussion topics during
lecture.
I have read a few articles about PRS or clickers and have had
some practice with them as a student. The new nugget of knowledge I gained from
this article was the positive impact of clickers on the relationship between student
and teacher when student-teacher ratios are increasing.
With my new found knowledge and ability to develop
hyperlinked Microsoft PowerPoint ® slides, I am now equipped to use the PRS in
the classroom. I think an interesting assignment would be to engage students in
the process of developing a quiz to be presented to their peers. This could be
done as a group project by assigning groups to different aspects of a
particular topic. The development of the quiz would reinforce key concepts and
I think the students would enjoy the class participation in their quiz with the
use of personal response systems or clickers.
Good piece and strong analysis. It is interesting to see that clickers are beginning to influence relationships between teachers and learners. I suspect faculty are getting more comfortable with them and students are noticing that. Looks like you benefitted from this.
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