Neat low-tech formative assessment tool
Community Review for Plickers
My Take
It does take some time to set up, and some time to "Teach" students how to use it, but the payoff in time saved later will be worth it to most teachers. I like that the students don't know how others are answering, and I like the instant feedback. As with most quick-response tools, you are limited to objective questions and answers. Also, at this time, there is limited ability to import class lists or share questions with peers. According to the website, enhancement are in the works. It is definitely a tool worth investigating if you are looking for paperless quick assessments but are limited by the number of personal devices in your classroom. I used it with middle-grade students but in my opinion, it could be used K-12, with younger students just needing a little more practice at holding the card correctly.
How I Use It
Plickers is a rapid-response formative assessment tool that doesn't use student technology. It is perfect for a teacher that wants to use tools like Socrative, Poll Everywhere, Google Forms, etc., but doesn't have student devices. I have used it for warm-ups, exit tickets, and general assessment during class. Students each have their own card/code and hold it a certain direction for their choice of answers A, B, C or D, while the teacher takes one photo of the class using the Plinkers app. As with any paper-dependent activity, if students misplace their cads, it will not work. I keep them in a file and they pick up their card at the beginning of class and return it at the end.