In the modern age of assessment. where technology is becoming ever prevalent, teachers are always looking for better ways to use that technology to give real-time feedback. This is partially because when students have real-time feedback they are able to reflect on how well they understand a topic and therefore understand what they need more help with. Real-time feedback also allows teachers to adjust to student's needs and re-direct a lesson to make sure all student's needs are being met. 

One new technology helps teachers in creating this real-time feedback: Plickers. Plickers is a "revolutionary way to collect instant multiple-choice responses from your students, without requiring students to have clickers, computers or tablets" (What is Plickers?, n.d.), In order to use plickers, students are each given their own QR code and they choose a response to a question A, B, C or D by turning their QR code in a certain direction. Then, a teacher uses a phone or tablet (and the app) to scan the room for each student's response. These responses are recorded in real-time and creates a chart visible to students on the board to show where students land in response to other students. It also gives teachers feedback on which students gave each response which allows teachers to respond appropriately. Below, find a video in which a teacher shows how they use plickers in their classroom.

(How to Use Plickers in the Classroom, n.d.)

This technology is fantastic because it allows students and teachers both the opportunity to see how they understand the content in real-time. This allows students to self-assess their understanding and allows teachers to adjust lessons and differentiate material in order to make sure students are all getting the information that they need. It is also very beneficial because unlike many new technologies that are coming out to use for formative or summative assessments in classrooms, students don't need technology in order to participate. This means that for lower-income districts, where technology is less readily available, this technology can still be used effectively. 

However, this technology does have a downside. The app only allows for students to give 4 pre-made responses. While this might be helpful when asking for numeric answers, multiple-choice type questions, or beginning an opinion on a Likert type scale, it does not allow free-response and limits the types of questions that teachers can ask their students. Additionally, each student needs to have the same QR code every time this is used which may be a difficult organizational challenge for teachers. 

Bibliography 
How to Use Plickers in the Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bejiz2HzUz8

What is Plickers? (n.d.). PlickersHelp. Retrieved February 15, 2020, from http://help.plickers.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009395854-What-is-Plickers-