We're thinking about using classroom clickers to get our students "voting" in their responses to questions. SMART technologies has a SMART Response student response system that lets your students click in an answer..

Basically, you post a question using your computer and LCD projector and students click in their response using individual remote controls. You can set up questions using the SMART software or Microsoft powerpoint,

Questions can be multiple choice or numeric questions, but you can't really have students enter an open-ended response. That means you're left with doing practice questions to standardized tests. You can, however, show the results using a LCD data projector connected to your computer.

Students can log into the system or use the classroom clickers anonymously. Gradebook software is provided and you can create class reports.

Having said that I'm not sure the SMART Student Response system is worth the money.

A media release from SMART technologies' website for 2007 lists the suggested (educational) retail price of the 32 unit pack at $1,999 USD (approx $62 per unit) and the 24 unit pack at $1599 (approx $66 per unit). They also sell the SMART Response system in packs of 5 clickers.

Are we just paying two thousand dollars for a digital way to get students to raise their hands? Maybe, maybe not.

You could use the anonymous mode so that students are more open to given their response. But,you could also have students write their responses on a slip of paper and hand that into the front.

You could use the notebook software to keep track of student responses and marks. But, you could also just give a paper-and-pencil quiz.

Is this classroom technology for technology's sake, or does it actually improve the pedagogy and instructional practice? Ultimately it comes down to whether you want classroom technology to allow you to move at the speed of thought. If you already teach with a data projector and powerpoint on a regular basis, is it that far removed to have students vote with a remote control console instead of a slip of paper? Will this be the technology edge that helps to engage the struggling boys in your class?

Sure, we could record our marks in a binder, but you can also use Excel or gradekeeping software to do that. Given that our students are growing up in a digital age, SMART Response clickers seem to be a natural evolution. Except for the price.