Abstract:

This study surveyed students' opinions of their learning experiences using a classroom assessment technique (CAT) called "i-Clickers". This electronic student response system was used in a medical surgical undergraduate nursing course at the Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing at Wagner College on Staten Island. An informed consent and 9-item Likert scale with two open-ended item survey was adapted from the previous study, (Meedzaan, 20098) prior to the lecture, which incorporated the clickers, and was distributed to students (n-33). Students participated in two lectures with the use of power-point slides and NCLEX style questions. Students used the clickers to anonymously answer the questions. At the conclusion of the second lecture, students completed the survey. All answers were anonymous and participation voluntary. The response rate was 100%. Similar to findings reported in the literature, results of the survey showed that all the students either agreed or strongly agreed that the experience was positive and they enjoyed using the clickers. Findings that emerged from the survey were: Students felt the clickers 1) allowed for immediate feedback of the lecture material; 2) helped them to remain attentive; 3 )stimulated classroom discussion; and , 4) would encourage their use in other nursing classes. Further investigation of the use of clickers at this institution's nursing program is warranted as this study was done on a small scale. It is recommended that clickers be assessed by this facility on a larger scale perhaps in several classes at once o throughout one course, beginning to end, to ascertain if students continue to find the experience a positive one.

Keywords:

Clicker, student performance, classroom assessment techniques, active learning, immediate feedback.