Reflective Clicking

Heather McQueen, School of Biological Sciences.

My clicker useClass Level Environment Purpose history

Gene Jury P4-S6 School classroom

Engagement 489 workshops

ODL Y1 Tutorial Quiz 2

GGA Y2 Lecture gathering 7th year

MG3 Y3 Practical discussion

Concept self-test

5 years

Genetics Y4 Reading party debate 4 years

Firbush debates

Series of controversial bioethical statements (1 per 4 students)

• students allocated to statement and position without choice (2 for, 2 against)•Allocations made week prior to trip (to prepare and consult)•Debates run on two consecutive evenings post-dinner (bar open)•Statements presented to class on screen

“In the near future genetic enhancement via PGD, for non-health-related characteristics may become possible and

should be allowed.”

Motion 5:

1) Agree

2) Disagree

3) Abstain

• Proposer (2 minutes)

• Opposer (2 minutes)

• Seconder for (2 minutes)

• Seconder against (2 minutes)

Comments and questions from the floor (~5 minutes)

“In the near future genetic enhancement via PGD, for non-health-related characteristics may become possible and

should be allowed.”

Motion 5:

1) Agree

2) Disagree

1) Agree

2) Disagree

3) Abstain

Slicing and comparingag

ree

disa

gree

abst

ain

agre

e

disa

gree

abst

ain

before debate after debate

Benefits of clicking in this context;

•Anonymity•Quantify results of reflection •.. and compare on screen

Identify winner encouraging competition

In this way clickers are being used to enhance discussion, interaction and research but NOT a “correct” answer.

Gene Jury

Question discussion/ reflection question

Who should be able to store Who should be able to store information on your genes?information on your genes?

Nobody1 Doctors and scientists2

Doctors, scientists and

the police3

Free access to all5

Doctors, scientists, police and companies

4

Don’t know6 ?

Hidden swing (evidence of reflection as indicator of engagement).

Restrictive permissive

65% swingn= 396

59% swingn= 357

In conclusion:Clicker use in the contexts described encourage;

•Open yet anonymous expression

•Discussion

•Consideration

•Reflection

•Progressed standpoints

•But NOT reflexive responses!