WAKE UP! The effectiveness of a student response system in large packaging classes

Abstract

AbstractLarge classes present many challenges in higher education. New digital technologies, such as interactive student response systems (SRSs), are promising tools for large classes. SRSs facilitate interaction between faculty members and students on an on‐going basis by allowing instructors to ask multiple‐choice, true/false and numerical questions during class and then analyse and display the student responses in real time. In general, SRSs consist of three basic components: a student input device (clicker), operating system software loaded onto the classroom computer, and an overhead projection system to display the questions asked and the distribution of student responses. SRSs have already been used in classrooms in a variety of fields; however, to our knowledge, they have not been used previously in packaging education. This article describes the introduction of an SRS in two packaging classes at the School of Packaging at Michigan State University. The SRS implementation is discussed and faculty and student comments and responses regarding the SRS are reported. The system motivated student participation and attendance for both classes: 75% of student respondents stated that the SRS motivated them to attend class; 57% of student respondents reported that the SRS enhanced their classroom experience; and 56% of the student respondents indicated that the system helped them to comprehend the material better. These numbers are supported by the vast majority of research studies, which indicate improved attendance, participation and comprehension when using SRSs for large classrooms. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.