Professors at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, are turning to interactive technology to encourage student participation in their lectures.
According to the Western Front, the university's student newspaper, about five professors are using Classroom Response System "clickers" provided by eInstruction to allow students to answer questions during lectures.
The system's software allows professors to create questions either through an application or in a PowerPoint presentation. Students use the clickers to answer the questions, the results of which are displayed as a graph through a classroom projector, the Western Front reports.
Western Washington University sociology professor Seth Feinberg said the technology has been particularly helpful when asking sensitive questions about students' lifestyles. By submitting answers through the program, students are provided anonymity and are presumably more willing to respond honestly.
According to eInstruction, its technology is used by more than 5 million students ranging from kindergarten to the college level, the Western Front reports. Educators have found interactive technology, such as eInstruction's, can be used in conjunction with an HD-TV, classroom computer or HDMI projector to add a new element to class participation.
