Clickers in the classroom

Paige Ferguson, left, Keon Graham, center, and Kevon Williams, fourth graders at Lilbourn Elementary School, concentrate on a study sheet while using their wireless personal response systems, or clickers. The clickers have been in use in the New Madrid County R-1 elementary school classes and at the New Madrid County Central High School for almost a year. (Photo by Jill Bock, Staff)

Clickers being used as study aid at R-1

jillb@standard-democrat.com

NEW MADRID - As an educator and as a parent, Dr. Cynthia Sharp Amick understands sometimes students just won't tell a teacher when they don't understand a concept. It may not be until the student hands in homework - or worse, takes a test that the instructor becomes aware a student hasn't mastered the lesson.

"As an educator you want kids to tell you if they don't understand," said Amick. Sometimes, she said, a youngster is too shy to raise his hand to ask for help or in other cases, may not want his peers to know, fearing he is the only one who hasn't mastered a skill.

The New Madrid County R-1 School District set about to change the problem with literally a click of a button. Wireless personal response systems, or clickers, are now being used by 412 third through sixth graders in the District as well as 150 New Madrid County Central High School math students to collect answers to questions.

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