Turning Technologies Audience Response System
The Universities at Shady Grove Student and Academic Services (SAS) department is offering Turning Technologies Audience Response System "Clicker's" as a tool for faculty in the delivery of instruction. For those who wish to participate in the use of the "Clickers", please follow the instructions below.
In order to manage the program and allow fair opportunity, we have formulated the following protocol for those interested in participating:
- Acceptance is on a first come basis
- Participants must have experience using PowerPoint 2003/2007
- Able to use the resources within timeframe assigned
- Participate in one of three training options (one-on-one, self guided online or manuals)
- Provide feedback at the end of the Semester
Oversight of the program will be shared between both departments with SAS administering the administrative component and OIT managing the technical resources. Please fill out the information below and return to Dr. Marsha Youngblood by Friday May 29th 2009. You will be notified of your participation status by Monday June 1st, 2009 via email which will outline the process to gaining access to equipment, software and training.
Software Access
All participants in the pilot program must have software installed on their PC/laptop in which they plan to create and include Audience Response System (ARS) elements into their presentation. The software is native to Microsoft Office and intuitive provided your knowledge of either of Microsoft's productivity tools (i.e. PowerPoint, Word, Excel). Software can be downloaded from the following website. Please select your platform PC or Mac and version 4.1 for PC platform and Turning Point 2008 Microsoft 2004 for the Mac.
Software will be installed on all classroom Podium PCs listed when signed up for the program. If you have an office at Shady Grove, software will be installed on your PC by Friday June 5th, 2009. You are responsible for installing Turning Point Software on PCs and Laptops external to Shady Grove.
Access to Hardware (Clickers)
All response system users (Professors) should have responded to Dr. Marsha Youngblood for scheduling of the ARS for use in their classroom. IT Services has been provided a list of those professors approved to use the system in their classroom.
To gain access to the equipment, you will need to visit the OIT Help Desk and complete a form to check out the equipment. The form will be an initial confirmation of use of the equipment and require drivers license at time of signature. Continued usage will require a signature on the initial form each time you check out the equipment.
It is important that you check the equipment for the number of responders and a receiver at time of acceptance as well as prior to returning the equipment to the Help Desk. We have for loan two cases of 40 responders, and the third has 60 responders.
The Help Desk will assign the appropriate case of responders based on the total amount of students listed in your class. We can not swap or mix equipment in order to increase the amount of responders or to replace a missing piece of equipment.
Training
The following links provide training materials for helping you prepare your presentations for use of our response system. Please be mindful that you are linking to Tuning Technologies website for these materials. We have not customized any of the information to conform to our infrastructure and setup.
Support
OIT helpdesk will provide general support for connectivity and use of the ARS equipment. In order to receive timely assistance in setting up the Response System for first time users, OIT is requesting that all users arrive 15 minutes ahead of class for a quick demonstration on setting up the equipment and loading of your presentation. It is important to note that presentations should be completed prior to class unless you have prior knowledge in using Turning Point Technology's Audience Response System and software.
The OIT Help Desk will not be able to provide software assistance during this critical time; however, support will be offered prior to your designated time. To further clarify our support agreement, we encourage everyone to prepare and seek assistance on the presentation well in advance of the start of class.