For the past year, an increasing number of professors have utilized remotes to engage students in lecture halls with interactive questions, but different OclickersO for different classes have taken a toll on some studentsO pockets.
As a result, UB officials are looking at the options for a universal remote system that will still provide the technology but at far more cost-effective prices.
In the past two years, textbook publishers have pushed a variety of clickers - remote controls used for student participation in lectures - on professors, leaving students with expensive tools they may never use again.
With the increasingly added expense to students' textbook budgets, the Educational Technology Center investigated four different products last fall in an attempt to find a cost-effective universal remote.
"Through research and market browsing, we believe we found a single solution in the TurningPoint company," said Carole Ann Fabian, director of the ETC.
The TurningPoint clicker utilizes PowerPoint presentations, and like previous remotes, allows students to participate during class via survey and trivia questions provided by the professor.
The new hardware was test-piloted in 14 classes last fall, but at Wednesday's Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting, faculty expressed mixed feelings over the effectiveness of integrating remote devices on a larger scale.
"Making such an institutional investment like this requires us to look at whether this in fact enhances learning," UB President John B. Simpson said. "We need to determine if these clickers provide a pedagogical experience or are just an entertainment factor."
While some officials are skeptical to devoting university funds to the new clickers, many said they believe that they involve the students in otherwise impersonal larger classes.
"The remote will encourage participation in heavily attended lecture halls," Fabian said. "Though you can't turn the professor off with the remote, I feel the students find this means of participation very useful."
Amber Sikorski, a freshman political science major, said the clicker does get her active in class, especially when quiz points are a concern.
"The remotes really do get me involved. It kind of wakes me up when I'm drifting off to sleep," Sikorski said.
Also with the system, a classroom is enhanced by the immediate feedback professors receive during the lecture. Student input gives a professor an indication on whether the students understand the topic at hand, or if clarification is needed.
Though the universal remote is meant to avoid wasteful spending, the price of the TurningPoint is unconfirmed. Depending on discounts for high volume orders, Fabian projects that the clicker may run students somewhere between $45 and $68.
Faculty members said they found this price projection satisfactory, but durability of hardware and later needs for upgrades called the longevity of the product into question.
"This cost would be acceptable if it would serve students for their full career at UB," said H. William Coles III, a SUNY senator and assistant vice provost for Educational Opportunity Program.
Officials said high volume orders may cut down on cost for teacher stations and lecture hall installation, but administration costs are also still in need of hammering out.
The ETC has also investigated TurningPoint plagiarism prevention software. This program would give professors another tool to match student work to a number of databases of essays and journals.
The utilization of the plagiarism program is still in its preliminary stages and will require discussion among multiple committees in the near future.
"There are some mechanics to still resolve for both products, but I look forward to taking advantage of widely adopted software and the opportunities presented in educational technology," Fabian said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
