Student Response Systems and Facilitating the Large Lecture Basic Communication Course: Assessing Engagement and Learning

Abstract

Instructors of large lecture classes face a variety of challenges, including student engagement and participation. With budget cuts and increasing class sizes, more schools may turn to large lecture/lab formats for the basic communication course (Stanley & Porter, 2002); instructors must understand how these classes engage students. One viable technique is the use of student response systems (e.g., clickers). However, the relationship between these systems, learning, and the factors that impact participation in basic communication courses is unclear. This study will explore the effectiveness of incorporating student response systems into large lectures.

Notes

1. For a comprehensive review of all aspects of SRS, please examine these sources.

2. Students were asked about iClickers specifically, as they are the student response system used university wide.

3. Other items from the Trees and Jackson scales were not included in order to improve the scale's reliability.

4. Again items were cut to improve reliability.