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The eInstruction handheld clicker is among the handful of devices trickling into schools like the Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School in Brooklyn that allows teachers to know instantly how well students are understanding lessons.

When a teacher asks a question, the students use the clickers to answer, either by pressing a button corresponding to multiple choice answers or by entering the numeric solution to a math problem.

The clickers then, wirelessly, tell the teacher's laptop who got it right and wrong, which is then projected onto a large screen.

“It's just the real-time data,” explains Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School Principal Julie Kennedy. “Two minutes after students start a problem, you know who has it and who doesn't, and you can immediately see the percent mastery across the class. That real-time data helps teachers adjust what they're doing during class time, rather than see homework, exit quizzes or a test at the end of the unit and then adjust then.”

Since all the answers are up on that board for the entire class to see, teachers say they have to make sure to use that as a tool for struggling students to motivate them rather than discourage them.

Teachers say it's all about creating the proper classroom culture from the start with this system.

“That some students are at some places and other students are doing other things is just fine and we're all respectful of that,” says math teacher Thomas O’Brien on how he instructs students to work with the system. “It's not a competition. It's just all on the same screen. And sometimes I cover it up, so I'm the only one who sees it. Sometimes the answers are blurred, and sometimes you can see them and they help to correct their work.”

Students agree it is a help; not only do they instantly know whether they truly understand the material, but they also have a sense of pride in seeing more green next to their name rather than red.

“I want everyone to look up to see and see I did well,” said student Yasien Hall-Millington.

“When you didn't have the clickers, you didn't know if you had it right,” seconded student Iyana Odoms. “But now you know and you can go back and get it right.”

Teachers also insist this system works well for both those excelling and struggling. Students who are understanding the material are able to move ahead more quickly, while the teacher can better pinpoint and work with those who are struggling.

The system costs between $1,200 and $2,000 per 24-student classroom.