Mini-Grants

Clickers in the Chemistry Classroom

Michael Lautman (John Abbott College)

2015 Mini-grant Project

It is proposed that the Chemistry department purchase a new set of “clickers” or Personal Response Systems. This will allow the continued transformation of the chemistry classroom environment into an “Active Learning Classroom” or ALC. A growing number of teachers in the Chemistry department do use an aging set of clickers, and many others have expressed interest in incorporating them into their classrooms. The wider adoption of this system is impeded as scheduling interferes with the availability of this pedagogical tool.

Project Status

Project Proposal

Description

It is envisioned that if a new clicker set was available, more teachers would use them to enhance their pedagogy (“if you build it, they will come” – Field of Dreams). In addition, those teachers who have already used clickers and who are currently being denied the opportunity due to scheduling conflicts, may now be able to implement peer instruction in their classroom.

Given that the typical class is comprised of about 40-45 students, approximately 50 clickers would be required. Peer-instruction research has demonstrated that using clickers better develops conceptual understanding of chemical concepts and processes. One of our teachers who routinely uses clickers has data showing marked improvement in her students’ summative assessments (and by the way refuses to give up her set!).

Clickers as a Resource

Once this clicker resource has been purchased, it is possible that other departments may be able to use this resource for their own use, depending on availability, and may also serve as a showcase to other departments who may wish to purchase similar classroom equipment.

There already is one interdisciplinary science course offered jointly by the Chemistry and Physics departments, and the existence of this equipment might encourage their use in this course (which is not currently using this pedagogical technique).

SALTISE commitment

One or more of the teachers using this new addition to the department will contribute a blog entry to the SALTISE website, and at least one member will join the SALTISE Summer 2015 conference to present a report on the clicker experience.

Evaluation

The effectiveness of this purchase will be evaluated by how often they are used, and teachers and students will be surveyed in an attempt to generate some opinion in how the course content was enhanced by their use.

Project Leader

More about Michael Lautman

John Abbott College Support

John Abbott College fully supports this Chemistry department initiative, and is willing to contribute both cash and in-kind support in order jump-start this project. John Abbott College has agreed to contribute the cash to cover the portion of the cost that exceeds to amount of the grant as well as cover all administrative costs in the purchasing, delivery, and installation of this equipment in all classrooms.