Plickers

As the tech integration guy, it's my job to be a cheerleader for tech in your lessons. But that doesn't mean the students (or you) have to be using tech all the time. Sometimes when students are in the middle of some high-level thinking, the last thing we would want is for them to drag out their tech for a simple online quiz.

On the other hand, using digital tools for quick check-ins has major advantages, like letting kids try out a word problem or check a concept: you find out right away who gets it and who doesn't, without having the hassle and delay of collecting, correcting, and passing back.

PLICKERS are quietly making their known throughout schools as the best of both worlds.

Plickers are printable cards that students use to answer questions. Every student in class has their own card with its own unique code printed on it. Students answer multiple choice questions by rotating the card into different positions (this side up = "A", that side up = "B", etc.).

The teacher uses his/her smartphone with the Plickers App installed to scan the students cards from the front of the room, like in the picture above. Bam! Now you know how many kids are understanding that concept.

Back in my classroom days, I used to do a non-tech version of this with kids holding up cards with A, B, C etc. on them, but kids quickly figured out to just see which card the "smart" kid was holding up. Plickers have a different code/shape for every kid, so no one can tell what anyone else is answering (except you). This encourages honest effort and embarrassment-free feedback.

Using tech most effectively in schools means using the right tool and technique for the right job. And sometimes, the right technique is to keep the students distraction-free. Plickers are a great (free!) way for you to get the benefits of classroom tech while the students leave their tech in the backpack. 

  

Subtly integrated advertisement:

The Plickers website, www.plickers.com, can get you started, of course, but if you are looking to see it in person, test drive it, set it up, and use it yourself, visit sign up for Sarah Kuhne's session on Plickers in the upcoming HHS January PD Day! I think she's even raffling off laminated Plicker cards!