Clickers (Student Response Systems)

Frequently Asked Questions about Clickers

What are Student Responses Systems (SRS)?
What are Some Functions (or Uses) of Student Response Systems (SRS)?
Is there a resource that I can use to learn more about using clickers in the classroom?
Which clicker are we using?
Can I use another Turning Point clicker?
What are some of the features of the clicker?
Is the clicker accessible?
Where can I download student response system software (Turning Point 2006)?
Who will download the software and set-up the hardware in the classroom?
Where can I get training?
I am a MAC user. Is TurningPoint Mac Compatible?
Do I need to use Powerpoint?
What hardware is needed to run a student response system (SRS)?
Will my classroom PC have a receiver?
Where can students obtain a clicker?
Do I need to order clickers? (New)
What if a student's clicker breaks?
Where can my student register their clicker?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

General Information

What are Student Response Systems (SRS)?

A Student Response System (SRS) is a wireless response system that allows faculty to request information and for students to respond by using a “clicker” or hand-held response pad to send his or her information to a receiver. When presented with a question, the student presses a button on a hand-held response pad or clicker, which sends either an infrared or radio signal to a receiver attached to a computer. The computer records and/or displays the response per the instructor’s preference.

SRS have the potential to provide the means for introducing active student participation and engagement into lecture classes. Student response system technologies equip the student with a personal response unit, or “clicker”, for answering questions posed by the instructor in class. The potential for transforming traditionally passive large lecture classes into stimulating interactive classes is great. Student response systems can engage the attention of students, make them active participants in their learning, and provide them with immediate feedback on their understanding of material. They also provide faculty with information on students’ understanding of course concepts and the ability to adjust course activities based upon student responses. Class responses can also be used as a prompt for classroom discussion and other activities.

Return to the FAQs

Functions (or Uses) of Student Response Systems (SRS)?

1. SRS will increase student attendance and participation. Students have to attend class regularly. When they are in class, they have to pay attention. Further, instructors can use SRS to creatively ENGAGE students in their own learning. Engagement is a natural fallout of the ongoing feedback functions of SRS, and is reinforced by the use of SRS to foster collaborative learning (discuss-then-click exercises).

2. Instructors (and student) can gauge students' retention of the reading material based on student assessments administered via SRS at the start of class. The information obtained can identify weaknesses in the information retained and can be used to customize instruction by targeting lectures. For example:

2a. Instructors can use low-stakes quizzing composed of 10 items to make sure that students have done their reading before they come to class.

3. Instructors can assess students' complete knowledge of course content. Instructors would distribute hardcopy exams can be given, students can take them at their own pace, and the results can be automatically graded and exported to a D2L-usable format.

4. Instructors can develop guided lectures based on immediate assessments of students' knowledge in a specific area. Targeted lectures will strengthen student weaknesses based on the results of the assessment. Instructors can find out whether students understand key concepts during lecture and tailor the remainder of their lecture accordingly. For example:

4a. Instructors can offer feedback to students on a specific calculation or example that can then be worked through and mastered in detail.

5. Instructions can foster critical thinking skills by asking questions throughout lecture using SRS that requires a synthesis of the information received in order to provide a correct answer.

5a. For example, in a science class such questions can address the formulation and testing of hypotheses based on already presented observations. Instructors can design to elicit responses ranging from experimental methods (dealing with what CAN be done) to ethical questions (what SHOULD/SHOULDN'T be done). The latter are pathways not only to critical thinking skill development, but to overall scientific literacy.

6. Faculty can stimulate class discussion based on immediate student responses or feedback received from SRS data received. For example:

6a. Instructors can perform correlations on the spot -- e.g., gender and attitudes towards gay marriage -- that demonstrate provocative connections among ideas for further class discussion.

7. Instructors can gain immediate student feedback -- both quantitative and experiential -- as formative assessments of the course in order to make adjustments as needed.

8. SRS can provide students with instant feedback on the success or failure of their efforts allowing subsequent correction and study skills development. At the same time, it can provide faculty with feedback on student performance allowing for intervention.

9. SRS can be utilize to for data collection to conduct research or assess teaching. For example:

9a. SRS will allow the collection of student demographic data at the start of a semester and later correlation of this data with student response to course content and challenge questions.

Return to the FAQs

Is there a resource that I can use to learn more about using clickers in the classroom?

Here are some websites - more information will be provided on this website soon.

Ohio State University

Classroom Clickers

Student Response Systems: A University of Wisconsin System Study of Clickers (Educause)

San Diego State

Return to the FAQs

 

Which clicker are we using?

The standardized clicker is the Turning Point XR LCD hardware. The XR provides 2-line input and feedback with the capability of storing up to 5 homework assignments in the flash memory. It is powered by three AAA batteries

Return to the FAQs

 

Can I use another Turning Point clicker?

The standardized clicker is the Turning Point XR LCD hardware. Turning Point makes other RF clickers that are compatible with the installed software and receivers. You can ask your students to buy those clickers instead, but they run the risk of not being compatible in other courses that require the functionality of the XR Clickers.

Return to the FAQs

What are some of the features of the clicker?

• Automatic roster creation – with XR LCD hardware, the student’s name is sent with their answer responses and TurningPoint automatically populates student rosters
• Demographics and data slicing – cut and splice data to see how different demographics respond to questions on the fly and in reports
• Comparative linking – do pre and post assessments in class to measure shifts in opinion and comprehension
• Conditional branching – create a non-linear presentation based on the responses of the class.
• TestingPoint™ – Word based test generator included with TurningPoint can be used to create paper-based homework assignments and tests. Use with XR to quickly and automatically grade and assess assignments. It is now possible to grade today’s assignment before the lecture begins.
• Gradebook2 – automatically import interactive sessions into this grade book software for comprehensive grading
• Decision wizard – facilitate decision making through anonymous polling. Perform ranking, quadrant analysis and in depth three criterion analysis.
• Standards – link assessment items to learning standards to fully-measure learning of specific concepts
• Multi-digit response – with XR LCD hardware, students can answer open ended numeric questions including decimals and negative numbers
• Alpha response – with XR LCD hardware, students can respond with words to fill in the blank questions

Return to the FAQs

Is the clicker accessible?

For those students with special needs, Braille ResponseCards and vPad (a virtual ResponseCard which operates on any computer) provides these students with the ability to fully participate in interactive learning.

Return to the FAQs

 

Software FAQ

Where can I download student response system software (Turning Point 2006)?

We are investigating hosting the software on our own servers. In the meantime, you can download the software from Turning Technologies.

You will need to complete a short form on the website. You will receive an e-mail with download instructions. The link is only active for 48 hours, so make sure to download immediately.

PC and Mac Powerpoint Software

(Choose from the drop-down list at the top of the form)

Standalone software that does not require Powerpoint is coming in June. We will post a link here.

Contact us or Turning Technologies at 1-866-746-3015 for assistance.

Return to the FAQs

Who will download the software and set-up the hardware in the classroom?

Classroom Technologies will install the software on all Smart Classroom computers. Approximately half of those computers will have RF receivers preinstalled on them. It is important to notify us at Smart Classrooms if you are planning to use clickers in your classroom during the Fall of 2007.

Return to the FAQs

Where can I get training?

Training will be available through TLP this summer. In the meantime, Turning Technologies offers training on their site as well.

Product Guides and Manuals

Tutorials

On-line training (Schedule)

Presentations and Podcasts

 

Return to the FAQs

I am a MAC user. Is TurningPoint Mac Compatible?

Turning Technologies recently released a Mac version of the software. See this FAQ to downlaod the sofwtare.

Return to the FAQs

Do I need to use Powerpoint?

No, new software, TurningPoint Lite, enables the user to poll at anytime in any application. This provides maximum flexibility by enabling users to ask interactive questions while using content in Word, pdfs, videos, web pages and more.

Return to the FAQs

 

Hardware/Receiver FAQ

What hardware is needed to run a student response system (SRS)?

A receiver is needed that connects to the USB port of your computer. It allows you to recieve signals from the students' response pads (clickers). All Smart Classrooms with faculty using clickers will have the receivers installed.

Return to the FAQs

Will my classroom PC have a receiver?

Contact classroom support to have your assigned smart classroom outfitted with the USB receiver.

Response Card/Clicker FAQ

Return to the FAQs

Where can students obtain a clicker?

Students can obtain clickers from the bookstore for approximately (price to be determined $55??).The clickers can be used in multiple courses throughout the student's enrollment at CSU, Chico. As more faculty use clickers, the cost will be spread over several courses and semesters. We are dicsussing a buy-back program with the bookstore.

Starting August 1, 2007, Turning Technologies will offer customers the option of purchasing directly over the web at their online store open 24/7. While they still sell to bookstores and universities, the online store will provide students with the benefit of direct prices and individual delivery.

Return to the FAQs

Do I need to order clickers?

The first thing you should do if you want to use clickers is to contact the Bookstore to order clickers for the fall or spring. The clickers can be used in multiple courses throughout the student's enrollment at CSU, Chico. Go to the AS Bookstore Requisition page (your Portal login may be required) and add the Turning Point XR LCD clicker to the Additional Materials Field. You may also send a note to Linda Riggins with the following information: class, section, enrollment, professor, required or recommended.

Return to the FAQs

What if a student's clicker breaks?

The clickers have a one-year warranty and will be replaced under warratny by the bookstore. if the clicker is abused, the student will have to purchase another one.

 

Return to the FAQs

 

Return to the top of the page