Unidoodle

Unidoodle
Michael JenningsAudience responses systems, commonly referred to as “clickers”, are common in many university classes. Typically the clicker allows a student to enter an answer to a multiplechoice question. The teacher then displays the responses before (usually) either leading students in a discussion of the merits of each answer choice or asking students to discuss the question in pairs or small groups. The benefits of using clickers are well documented in the research literature and include improved classroom interaction, motivation and attendance, and improved student understanding. Unidoodle takes clickers one-step further as it enables students to submit freehand drawing and sketch-style answers. Students can write equations, draw graphs, or show their working. This allows teachers to receive much richer feedback from their students. In this short communication I will briefly present the Unidoodle system and the way in which I have used it in two first-year mathematics classes. I will then pose some discussion questions on the use of clickers.