There is no doubt that digital forms of assessment are increasingly popular in modern-day classrooms. In many cases, they require students to have access to devices such as iPads, Chromebooks, smartphones, or laptops. However, with Plickers, this is not the case.

What is Plickers?

Plickers is a powerfully simple tool that lets teachers collect real-time formative assessment data without the need for student devices.

To use Plickers, students are provided with answer cards (which can be easily printed and distributed). Then, using the web-based Plickers, as well as the iPhone or Android Plicker app, teachers can scan student responses, and immediately have the ability to assess their understanding and gather data. To see a demonstration of Plickers in action, check out the video below. 

Getting Started with Plickers

First, the teacher much install the Plickers mobile app on their mobile device. The app is available for free on both the Apple App Store and the Android App on Google Play. If using the iPad, you must filter “iPhone only” when searching for the Plickers app in the App store. 

Next, you must print out your cards, which are available here: plickers.com/cards. If you do not have access to a printer, you can purchase a set of cards on Amazon.com.

Next, head to Plickers.com and sign up using either with your Google account or set up a new account login username and password.

Creating a Class

Once you are logged in, on the Plickers homepage, select Add new class. You’ll be prompted to name your class, select the year of study, the subject, and designate a class color. This will help you stay organized throughout the year. 

Plickers will automatically assign the card number to your students as you enter their names. You can add up to 63 students per class, leaving more than enough room for a traditional classroom.

When creating a class in Plickers, each student is assigned a number that corresponds to a card number that can be printed from the Plickers website.

Next, distribute the cards to the assigned students.

Answering Prompts

From there, students can hold up their personal cards (which resemble QR codes) in order to respond to teacher prompts. The direction that students hold the card determines the answer choice which will be recorded. There are also multiple variations on response cards that can be printed, along with laminated versions that can be purchased from Amazon.com.

Teachers can create a library of questions and correct answers that can be used with any of their classes. Once questions are planned for a certain class, you can display them in full screen from the Plickers website, or read them aloud to students.  

Students will hold up their response cards in order to respond to teacher questions. Teachers then scan the student cards using their device and the Plickers app. All the responses are recorded by the Plickers app. (Remember, only one device is needed so a teacher’s cell phone or the classroom iPad can suffice. You will be amazed at how accurate and sensitive the scanner is!)

In real time, teachers can see how all students are answering multiple choice or true/false questions. Reports will be provided, making it easy for teachers to assess student progress and plan future instruction.

To Learn More

If you are interested in trying a form of digital assessment, and you want to start with something easy to manage, Plickers may be right for you. To learn more about this, and other forms of mobile assessment, check out our assessment courses on our OPD website!

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Original Content Created by Kristie Guiliano
Updated Content and Edits provided by Nina Sclafani
Images found on Plickers.com