Ideas for Classroom Use

Instructors with many diverse teaching styles, in many different academic subjects and grade levels, have been able to effectively use classroom communication systems to actively engage their students. Here are some ideas we have seen work well. Please contact us with other suggestions.

Classroom communication systems can be used to….

….quickly assess what students already know, so that you can use class time more effectively by building on that.

….determine the students’ intuitive understanding, so that you know how to approach an upcoming topic and how difficult it may be for them.

….measure comprehension of a homework assignment, to know at the beginning of the period what topics are still not mastered.

….survey opinions in a peer-anonymous or totally anonymous manner.

….engage students in a “convince your neighbor” exercise, then enter answers either independently or as a team.

….review topics, and instantly see those areas still troubling your students.

….pique students’ interest by asking them to predict a result.

….reinforce learning, by presenting a question that asks students to apply a concept you have just discussed.

….take attendance.

….focus students’ attention, by opening a class period with a question that reviews concepts covered in the previous session.

….re-focus students’ attention, by asking them a question about a topic you have just covered. (“Hey-Wake up back there in the back row!”)

….become more familiar with multiple choice questions in your subject area, including the type that might appear on standardized tests.