- User Guide for Turning Point ARS
- What is an Audience Response System?
- ARS system components:
- Clickers, operated by participants
- Software, installed on the leader's computer
- A USB receiver plugged into the computer that receives signals as the students "click," and sends them into the software
- Before Using an ARS in the classroom
Turning Point User Guide
Click here to see the Turning Point User Guide.
What is an Audience Response System?
Audience Response Systems, or "clickers," allows people to ask questions and gather responses during a lecture. A popular example of this technology was on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire: when the audience "clicked" and the contestant could see the result of the "ask the audience" immediately. This same technology is also used in teaching, as a technique to make classroom-time more interactive, to demonstrate a methodology, to test comprehension, etc.
In clicker systems, each person uses a "clicker" that looks like a TV remote to answer questions posed through a customized PowerPoint presentation. Summaries of responses can be shown in real time to everyone. Answers are also stored electronically for later viewing.
Read more about Audience Response Systems.
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Clickers
Clickers are used by participants to choose among items they see projected through a PowerPoint presentation. Push one of the buttons on the clicker to register a response.
At Simmons, most faculty using clickers ask students to purchase them, just as they ask students to purchase text books. Some departments may choose to purchase sets of clickers and USB receivers, and then internally manage loaning clickers to students and sharing clickers/USB receivers among faculty or staff. To purchase a set of clickers and a USB receiver, please email Technology for a quote.
Students may purchase Turning Point clickers at the Simmons bookstore for under $40, and sell them back at the end of the semester for approximately half of the purchase price. Faculty intending to have their students purchase clickers should contact the bookstore to ensure sufficient quantities are in stock. Students may use their financial aid to purchase clickers.
Clicker batteries (CR2032 3 volts) are available at the bookstore. Battery life varies with use.
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The software
ARS software both presents the questions and converts signals entered by participants using the clickers into responses shown on the screen. The PowerPoint add-in software must be installed on the leader's computer. The software is already installed on all Simmons podium computers as well as lab computers.
To have the software installed on another computer, submit a software installation request. Select: "I would like software installed that does not appear on the list above" and indicate you would like the most recent version of Turning Point.
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The USB receiver
A USB receiver is plugged into the computer and receives signals as the students "click." Simmons receivers are coded to work with the software installed on Simmons computers. Non-Simmons receivers will not work with Simmons computers. Departments may purchase their own receivers, but must be sure to purchase through Technology to ensure the receiver is correctly coded.
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Before using an ARS in the classroom
- Prior to using clickers at Simmons, faculty or staff must contact Academic Technology to schedule a 1-hour orientation session.
- See the loan policy, for information about loaner kits available through Media Services.
- Troubleshooting a clicker system issue during a class is disruptive. Therefore, Technology recommends that you test the clicker system in your classroom before using it in a class.
- See also: Turning Point User Guide.
