Plickers is an assessment tool made by a teacher who was looking for a quick and simple way to check student understanding. This assessment tool allows teachers to collect on-the-spot formative assessment data without the need to have students use devices or paper and pencil. Teachers can use this tool with previous planning or on the go as needed. This tool provides teachers with the data required to inform their instruction. “It provides students with the opportunity to participate and engage in learning without feeling self-conscious.” (Plickers.com) It’s a data collection tool that’s helpful for teachers and fun for the students.

• Price: Plickers is free to use.  The company is working on a Premium account to offer as well. Plickers cards can be printed free of charge.  A more durable version costs $20 on Amazon
• Type of learning: Learning takes place through online games and lessons. Students stay engaged throughout the assessment because they find the Assessment activity to be fun.

• Ease of Use: Very simple to use for students.  They just need to rotate a card to show their answer.  Very simple for teachers to use the app, to scan, and to project answers.  Questions can be loaded previously or as a “need to” basis.  Plickers cards are easy to handle, and come in different sizes typical to larger auditoriums, and in larger size fonts for younger students to be able to read.
• Privacy: The user (teacher) only has to provide First, Last name, email, username and password.  Personal information is not shared.  Student information is not required to use tool. Privacy policy states how location, use and cookies is used. There are also opt-out options available.  Students’ answers are also private, and are very hard to be seen by other students.
• Accessibility: Students of all ages can use this tool. Students with learning and physical disabilities can also use this tool. Modifications would have to be made for the visually impaired. Plickers cards come with larger fonts for younger students and in larger sizes for large classrooms or auditoriums.
• Access: Plickers accounts can be managed from the web but teachers need the Plickers mobile app in order to scan students’ cards and see their responses. The Plickers app is free for both iOS and Android. The app can be used on phones and tablets.
• Class Size: Up to 63 students can be assigned per class. Modifications can be made for larger size classes.
• Impact on Student Learning or Assessment- Tool helps students stay engaged during formative assessments. Worry-free way for all students to participate in answering questions with anonymity. Teachers can get immediate feedback to inform their instruction.

Plickers is not just a fun online assessment tool for students but it’s also fun and simple to use for teachers. Plickers allows you to check in on student understanding. With the data collected you can inform your instruction for a follow up class or in real time. Students stay engaged as they watch to see if their card was scanned, and their answer displayed. The cards can either be bought online or downloaded and printed. Students of all ages find Plickers fun and easy to use.

There are two views to see the data collected, Students mode and graph mode. Students mode, shows all the students cards and names, and whether they have answered or not. the graph view shows the way students answered. On both views you have the option to show the correct answer. One of my favorite features is that you can sign in to your account when planning your lesson or if at some point during instruction you need immediate feedback, opening the app and adding a question is hassle free!

Below is a video of Plickers: