Publication Type: Invited Paper
Abstract: Typically when making decisions about using technology to improve pedagogical practices, instructors consider their own perspective about how well the incorporation of that technology will improve learning. Implementing a personal response system in the classroom is often approached as a means to improve student attention span, student interaction, and student comprehension which may impact student perception of instructor competence. Institutions measure student perception of faculty effectiveness in teaching course content. Schrodt and Witt (2006) measured student perception of instructor credibility in relationship to technology usage both in and out of the classroom. Additionally, instructors act as voyeurs on faculty rating web sites to gauge student perception of instructor competence (Edwards, et al, 2007). So then, it must be asked, what do students think about personal response systems and the instructor who uses one? This study will explore student perception on the use of personal response systems in the classroom.
Edwards, C., Edwards, A., Qing, Q., & Wahl, S.T. (2007). The influence of computer-mediated word-of-
mouth communication on student perceptions of instructors and attitudes towards learning
course content. Communication Education, 56(3), 255-277.

Schrodt, P. & Witt, P.L. (2006). Students’ attributions of instructor credibility as a function of students’
expectations of instructional technology use and nonverbal immediacy. Communication Education,
55(1), 1-20.