We are always asking questions and then end up answering it ourselves, or a few learners shouts out the answer and the others wait for their lead. This is where Plickers works its magic! Plickers is a tool that can help us to harvest answers in a seamless easy way without a need for the learners to have a device. It also record who answered correctly in a nice and neat report. So without further ado, watch the following video for an overview of how to set it up and use it in the classroom.

In today's digital age, educators are constantly seeking innovative tools to enhance classroom interaction and student engagement. One such tool gaining popularity is Plickers.com. Plickers offers a unique approach to formative assessment, allowing teachers to gather real-time feedback from students using just a single device and printable cards. In this blog post, we'll delve into how teachers can effectively leverage Plickers to create dynamic and engaging learning environments.

What is Plickers?

Plickers is a web-based tool designed to facilitate formative assessment in the classroom. It combines the convenience of paper-based response cards with the power of digital data collection. Each student is assigned a unique card with a QR code, which they can hold up in various orientations to indicate their response to multiple-choice questions. The teacher then scans the room with a smartphone or tablet, and Plickers instantly collects and displays the responses.

Getting Started with Plickers:

1. Create an Account: Begin by signing up for a free account on Plickers.com. Once registered, you can create classes and generate unique Plickers cards for each student.
2. Print Plickers Cards: Print out the Plickers cards provided by the platform. Each card has a unique QR code assigned to a student.
3. Set Up Questions: Create your questions on the Plickers website or app. These questions can cover various topics and can be tailored to suit the needs of your lesson.
4. Calibrate Your Device: Before using Plickers in the classroom, it's essential to calibrate your scanning device. This ensures accurate recognition of students' responses.

Utilizing Plickers in the Classroom:

1. Formative Assessment: Use Plickers as a formative assessment tool to gauge student understanding during or after a lesson. Pose multiple-choice questions related to the material covered, and have students respond using their Plickers cards.
2. Instant Feedback: With Plickers, you receive instant feedback on student responses, allowing you to assess comprehension in real-time. Use this feedback to adjust your teaching approach as needed or to initiate class discussions on challenging concepts.
3. Engagement and Participation: Plickers adds an element of excitement to classroom activities, motivating students to actively participate. The interactive nature of Plickers encourages even shy or reluctant students to share their answers.
4. Data Analysis: Plickers automatically collects and organizes student responses, providing valuable data for assessment and analysis. Analyze trends in student understanding, identify areas of weakness, and track individual progress over time.
5. Gamification: Incorporate gamification elements by rewarding correct answers or tracking student scores over multiple sessions. This can foster healthy competition and further enhance student engagement.

Best Practices for Using Plickers:

1. Keep Questions Clear and Concise: Formulate questions that are clear, concise, and aligned with your learning objectives. Avoid ambiguity to ensure accurate responses.
2. Encourage Discussion: Use Plickers as a springboard for class discussions. After revealing the responses, delve deeper into the reasoning behind different answers, promoting critical thinking and peer learning.
3. Rotate Question Types: Vary the types of questions you ask, including multiple-choice, true/false, and open-ended questions. This keeps students attentive and accommodates different learning styles.
4. Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback based on student responses, reinforcing correct answers and addressing misconceptions. Plickers allows for immediate feedback, maximizing learning opportunities.
5. Regular Integration: Integrate Plickers into your teaching routine on a regular basis to reap its full benefits. Consistent use fosters familiarity and ensures students become proficient in using the tool.

In conclusion, Plickers is a versatile and user-friendly tool that can revolutionize classroom engagement and assessment practices. By harnessing the power of technology in combination with traditional teaching methods, educators can create dynamic learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of their students.

Badge criteria

1. Set up a class in Plicker.
2. Create a multiple choice test set based on your CAPS/ATP/Lesson.
3. Print out a classroom Plicker card set to hand out to the learners
4. Do the test and let the learners answer using their Plicker cards. Take a photo of your class holding up their Plicker cards (as evidence).
5. Upload the test and the class record (answers) to your Plicker evidence folder
6. Complete the evidence sheet.