Apparently, I am just unlucky.
Not only did I not miss a single class on Thursday's afternoon Snow Day, but I also have never received 100% on an exam for doing no work.
On Monday, February 18, 923 students in a Biology 100 class all received 100% on their exams because the clicker system used to take their exam crashed, erasing all student answers.
ClickersPhoto from Google Images
This is the second time in less than two weeks there has been an article in the University Daily Kansan about clicker systems backfiring on their users.
On Wednesday, February 13, the clickers purchased by Student Senate for almost $5000 didn't work because of technical difficulties. However, the technical difficulties weren't because of problems with the clickers, but with the University-borrowed receiver which required an administrator password.
Clickers, resembling small remote controls, allow students to submit answers to questions via their ‘clicker' and a receiving station that registers student responses.
Each clicker can be assigned to a different student.
According to www.educause.edu clickers have slowly become a part of the academic environment since 1998.
Clickers are intended to make measuring student's learning of concepts easier for teachers. They also gauge student opinion on issues which can enhance a debate or discussion. As intended in the Biology 100 class, they can also be used to eliminate the paper waste of regular exams.
Although I have not used clickers in college, I had some experience with them in high school classes.
Clickers are interesting because they're a completely new learning tool. I can see how clickers make it easier for teachers to determine where students are having difficulties, but like all technology there are problems.
Not just with crashes like in the Biology 100 class, but with accuracy as well. I can't remember completely how they work, but I think it could be easy to accidentally hit the wrong button if you're not paying attention properly. Also, in high school I remember my friends and I would check to see if we were hitting the same buttons as each other. Although I'm sure there's some way to regulate that when taking exams now.
I also don't think that I would like taking an exam via clicker. When I have a paper exam in front of me it seems easier to take since I'm able to write in the margins and it also makes it easier if I need to go back and check answers.
I'm supposed to be part of the technology generation, but sometimes I think the old-fashioned way is just better.
I still keep track of assignments and tests by writing them in my planner rather than putting them in a Blackberry.
But at least my information never gets deleted.
Woah! So ya that is definitely not fair that they all got 100 percent on a test because clickers that each student not only had to pay for but are supposed to be the new big thing didn't work. I honestly thing that old fashioned is better. I think that about a lot of things but maybe that's because i'm technology challenged. Not only do I think that it is ridiculous that those things messed up but i think it's ridiculous that students can pay however much for a class and then on top of that, have to pay for a clicker because a teacher wants to make it easier on themselves. Maybe everything would be better if we just went back to what we know works and also save some money. Laziness is the reason for these new inventions and maybe it's starting to get out of hand.