Critique 2

In Kristen Orr's article titled, Wake up and pick up your clickers...nap time is over kids, she explains a new concept of learning being implemented by schools as early as middle school and even into college; both community college and universities such as Harvard, University of Alabama and Vanderbilt. Ms. Orr is a fellow government student who has been assigned to investigate a national issue and provide her opinion of the subject. The concept presented by Ms. Orr is said to involve more student participation in class due to a small device, referenced to as a “clicker”. In the article she explains that the clicker can be used for a number of things such as, attendance, quizes, and 15 minute interactive learning sessions to keep the students stimulated. These devices are paid for by either the student or the school will provide them to the professors and teachers. Ms. Orr lists some feedback regarding student and teacher opinion, but the article lacks her opinion of the clicker. While the article is very informative, the author lacks to explain the pros and cons of the device and state whether she if for or against the distribution of the clicker in classes and why. She also lacks a tie between the information presented and the issue that it is presenting to our nation's government.

Based on the information in the article, I would say that the clickers sound like a great idea to get every student involved in class. My concern would be how schools are paying for the tools, especially in public schools. With budget cuts is it really wise to spend $30-$70 per clicker and cut some other program. It seems to me that if the teacher implements the right skills in the class room, the same type of work could be done. With that said, if the school can afford them it sounds as though they are great tools and a peek into the future of the classroom.