Classroom response systems are innovations in communication technology that can improve student engagement and learning in large classes and facilitate classroom management tasks. They are also known as audience response systems, classroom performance systems, student response systems, or just clickers. UCF supports the eInstruction Classroom Performance System (CPS), a classroom response system that can be integrated with online courseware to manage student performance in class activities.
The systems use radio frequency (RF) transmission to provide real-time interaction between a student's keypad and an instructor's computer. The RF systems have become very reliable and easy to use. Most of the systems interface through PowerPoint or other presentation software and can display histograms of student responses. Some textbook publishers bundle keypads with their books and offer the keypads at attractive prices.
Classroom response systems can improve students' learning by engaging them actively in the learning process. Instructors can employ the systems to gather individual responses from students or to gather anonymous feedback. It is possible to use the technology to give quizzes and tests, to take attendance, and to quantify class participation. Some of the systems provide game formats that encourage debate and team competition. Reports are typically exported to Excel for upload to the instructor's grade book.
