TechInfo

Classroom Media Services introduces a new service for Faculty and Staff; Using Turning Technologies audience response systems (aka “clickers”)

Clickers? What are clickers?

These clickers use infrared or radio frequency technology to transmit and record participant responses to questions. These are similar to the audience response systems used on quiz shows such as “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” The clickers also have applications for higher education!

What would I use clickers for?

Possible uses of this service would be for assessing student in-class progress, for small group work, or staff development and department meetings. Let your imagination be your guide.

How do I get clickers for my classes or for my departmental activities?

The typical loan period is 1-2 days (with a maximum of 3 loan periods per semester. They can only be used for anonymous collection; If a request is received more than 3 times in a semester with the intent to use this service regularly, you will need to have students purchase their own clickers (generally this is done when ordering the textbooks). For Faculty, some book publishers will include the software, 1 free receiver and 1 response card if ordering with textbooks.

Individuals requesting the use of these clickers can borrow them up to three times in semester.

For more information on clickers, please go to TechInfo at http://blog.cortland.edu/techinfo/

How can go reserve some for use in a class?

Loans would be for not more than 3 times and is on a first come, first-serve-basis. If you are interested in using this technology, please contact Media Operations at 4799

Guidelines for use of Turning Technologies

Response Systems

 “Clickers”

SUNY Cortland has standardized on clicker devices and supporting software from Turning Technologies, LLC to ensure that the Cortland community receives a quality product and that students won’t need to purchase multiple clicker devices for different courses.

To Borrow Clickers:

Instructors can request a loaner kit (or kits) to experiment with clickers without requiring students to buy them.

To schedule a clicker kit loan, contact Classroom Media Services at 753-4799.

Please specify how many kits (in quantities of 50 each) are needed — up to 5 kits, or 250 clickers. An RF receiving antenna (USB connection; size of large thumb/flash drive) are included in the kit.

If you have not had any experience with this technology prior to use in the classroom you are required to schedule a one-on-one training session with Tera Doty-Blance, Software Training and Support Specialist.  (Contact information: 753-4056 or dotyblancet@cortland.edu)

The typical loan period is 1-2 days (with a maximum of 3 loan periods per semester or 6 per year.  If a request is received more than 3 times in a semester with the intent to use this service regularly, you will need to have students purchase their own clickers (generally this is done when ordering the textbooks).  For Faculty, some book publishers will include the software, 1 free receiver and 1 response card if ordering with textbooks.

Devices and Setup

Clicker systems use three main components: clickers, TurningPoint software (and a PC or Mac with PowerPoint to run it on), and an RF antenna (receiver).

For trial purposes or occasional use, instructors can borrow clicker loaner kits from CMS Equipment Loan.  See Borrow Clickers above for details.

Clickers (ResponseCard RF Keypads) – Each student needs a clicker device, also known as ResponseCard RF keypad, in order to respond to questions.

TurningPoint Software – The instructor will need a laptop (or a classroom computer) with Microsoft PowerPoint and software called TurningPoint 2008 in order to display questions and results. TurningPoint is a simple toolbar add-in to PowerPoint that allows instructors to create questions and collect results.  There is also a MAC version available (Office 2004 for MAC only), although there may be some cross-platform incompatibilities.  The software for personal use is a free download at Turning Technologies, LLC.

RF Antenna (receiver) – An RF (”radio frequency”) antenna that can receive the responses sent from each clicker and transmit them to the instructor’s computer is attached via the USB port on the computer. 

Classroom Use

If the software is not currently installed in the classroom, then a one week notice is required – similar to how other software is currently requested.  To request installation of the software, the request form is found at: http://www.cortland.edu/acs/forms.asp

Campus Training

If you have not had any experience with this technology prior to use in the classroom you are required to schedule a one-on-one training session with Tera Doty-Blance, Software Training and Support Specialist.  (Contact information: 753-4056 or dotyblancet@cortland.edu)

Technical Problems

If there is a problem in the classroom, the customer should follow current procedures by contacting CMS (753-4799) and if it can’t be resolved, the problem should be escalated to THC (753-2500) to receive assistance from the appropriate support staff.

Additional information coming soon at “TechInfo”, http://blog.cortland.edu/techinfo/