UMass Amherst To Adopt Classroom Clickers

iclicker2 is expected to be released in fall 2011
The i>clicker2 is expected to be released in fall 2011.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is formally adopting classroom clickers as part of its classroom technology offerings. The university will begin offering the i>clicker2 for faculty and students beginning this fall.

The i>clicker2 is the updated version of the i>clicker student response system, first revealed back in January, developed and sold by a the i>clicker unit of Macmillan New Ventures. The device incorporates an LCD screen that can confirm for students when their responses have been received. It also includes alphanumeric support, improved battery compartment design, and a battery status indicator. It's expected to roll out in the fall.

The move to the i>clicker came after a trial involving systems from three manufacturers.

"We are confident that the transition to i>clicker2 will allow us to spend less time on day-to-day technology issues and more time on teaching and learning about the innovative ways 'clickers' can be used in the classroom," said UMass Amherst CIO John Dubach in a prepared statement.

UMass Amherst serves more than 21,000 undergraduates and more than 6,000 graduate students and employs nearly 1,200 full-time faculty. The university offers 214 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in eight schools and colleges.

Further information about the i>clicker2 is available here.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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