What is Formative Assessment? 

Formative assessment is a “fancy” term for the ongoing process of checking in with students to see how they’re doing. Unlike summative assessments, which measure student learning at the end of a unit or course, formative assessments happen throughout the learning or instructional process (Parmigiani et al., 2024). This allows educators to identify areas where students might be struggling and adjust their instruction accordingly. In a nutshell, formative assessment is all about using assessment to improve learning.   

What is Student Engagement? 

Student engagement in higher education goes beyond simply attending lectures and completing assignments. It’s about fostering a deep connection with the learning process. Engaged students are actively involved, curious, and motivated to excel (Gamrat et al., 2021). They participate in class discussions, ask questions, and readily apply their knowledge to solve problems. According to Gamrat et al., (2021), in the “next normal” of higher education, shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, educators are especially looking for ways to create a more interactive learning environment, whether online or in-person, to keep students actively involved in their educational journey. 

This post details how Dr. Yomica Powder-George, a chemistry lecturer, uses Plickers to engage her students and assess their learning in real-time. 

What is Plickers? 

Plickers is a free classroom tool that uses student flashcards with unique QR codes. Students hold up their cards to answer multiple choice or true/false questions. The instructor scans the room with a smartphone app to collect the data and immediately sees a graph of the class responses on the screen. 

Why Dr. Powder-George Likes Plickers?

Dr. Powder-George highlights several benefits of using Plickers: 

• Accessibility: All students need is a Plickers card, eliminating barriers associated with internet connectivity or personal devices. 
• Formative Assessment: Plickers allows Dr. Powder-George to gauge student understanding in real-time. This formative assessment helps her identify areas where students might need additional explanation. 
• Engagement: The anonymity of Plickers creates a safe space for students to participate, fostering a more engaging learning environment. Dr. Powder-George also uses Plickers for group activities, where students work together to answer questions. 
• Immediate Feedback: Students see the class results on the screen, allowing them to reflect on their understanding and the learning process. 

How to Get Started with Plickers?

Dr. Powder-George recommends visiting the Plickers website (https://get.plickers.com ) to set up your free account and be able to create questions, download and print the cards. The website also guides you through creating question sets. You’ll need the Plickers app on your phone to scan the student cards during class. 

Dr. Powder-George’s experience suggests that Plickers is a valuable classroom tool for educators seeking to increase engagement, gather real-time formative assessment data, and create a more interactive learning environment for their students. 

Here are some of the ways Dr. Powder-George utilizes Plickers to enhance classroom engagement, acquire real-time feedback and stimulate an interactive learning environment.  

Increased Engagement 

• Low Barrier to Participation: Plickers removes obstacles often associated with traditional classroom participation. Students don’t need personal devices or internet access, allowing everyone to participate easily. This can be particularly helpful for students who might be shy or hesitant to speak up in class.  
• Gamification: The use of flashcards and the quick response system can introduce a game-like element into the classroom.  This can make learning more fun and motivate students to participate actively. 
• Focus on Understanding:  The anonymity of Plickers can remove the pressure of getting the “right” answer. This encourages students to focus on understanding the concepts  rather than fearing making mistakes in front of their peers.  

Real-Time Formative Assessment 

• Immediate Feedback:  Plickers allows Dr. Powder-George to see student responses instantly. According to her, this provides valuable insights into how well the class understands the material being covered.  
• Identifying Learning Gaps: By analyzing the class response data, Dr. Powder-George is able to quickly identify areas where students might be struggling. This allows her to adjust her teaching approach on the fly and provide targeted support to students who need it most.  
• Personalized Learning:  The data from Plickers informs Dr. Powder-George’s lesson planning, allowing her to tailor future instruction to meet the specific needs of her students.  
  

Interactive Learning Environment 

• Active Participation: Dr. Powder-George mentions that Plickers goes beyond simple yes/no or multiple-choice questions. She uses it for exit tickets, quick quizzes, and even low-stakes games that encourage students to think critically and work together.  
• Collaborative Activities:  Dr. Powder-George highlights using Plickers for group activities. For her, this encourages teamwork, communication, and healthy competition within the classroom.  
• Student-Centered Learning:  Plickers puts the focus on student understanding and participation. This can fosters a more interactive learning environment where students are actively involved in the learning process. 

Dr. Powder-George’s experience is just one example of how Plickers can be used effectively in the classroom. What creative ways can you imagine using Plickers with your students? Share your ideas and experiences in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you! 

References

Gamrat, Lenze, Bardzell, & Glantz. (2021, March 16). Improved Student Engagement in  Higher Education’s Next Normal. EDUCAUSE Review. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://er.educause.edu/articles/2021/3/improved-student-engagement-in-higher-educations-next-normal  

Parmigiani, D., Nicchia, E., Murgia, E., & Ingersoll, M. (2024, March 22). Formative assessment in higher education: an exploratory study within programs for professionals in education. Frontiers in Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1366215