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Basics | Classroom
Techniques | Hardware &
Installation | Software
| Basics
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What is the technology used for signal
transmission?
PRS uses infrared technology similar to a TV remote. The transmitters
("clickers") operate at a range of up to 60 ft. from the receivers. It has proven to be
very reliable and operates on a “line of sight” so it will not
interfere with radio frequency equipment or other systems in adjacent
rooms.
How many students (transmitters) can participate in a session?
There is no known technical upper limit to the number of transmitters (
"clickers") that can be used. Limiting factors may apply more to practical teaching
limits. Several of our customers have 400 to 500 seat lecture halls fully
equipped with PRS transmitters and they are regularly used to full
capacity.
How many receivers do I need?
There is no hard and fast rule but we recommend one receiver for about
every 40 transmitters (
"clickers").
Why do I need multiple receivers in larger classrooms?
A receiver can accept only one signal at a time. When it receives a
signal, it will not accept another for approximately one tenth of a
second. Multiple receivers reduce this signal jamming and allows the input
from more transmitters (
"clickers") be received in a short amount of time.
Are there recurring registration charges for students?
No, the transmitters (
"clickers") are owned. No online fees or
registration fees are assessed. |
| Classroom
Techniques
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Can the students see each other’s
answers?
The PRS software allows you to choose whether or not the answers will
show in the screen grid boxes. Most teachers prefer not to show the
answers in order to encourage student participation in a non-threatening
manner.
How are the results reviewed with the class?
At the completion of a question (the question period is stopped or the
time runs out) a histogram will appear that gives the results of student
responses. The instructor can also choose to display the correct answer if
so desired. This is a great opportunity for discussion with the class and
to determine whether more review on a subject is needed.
How do I review the results after class?
InterWrite PRS software has a “Review Session” feature that allows
you to see the results of a session on both an aggregate class basis or
the results of individual students. In addition, the student responses are
saved in a comma delimited format (.csv) which allows the data to be
imported into a variety of other applications including Notepad, Microsoft
Excel, and Microsoft Word.
What types of questions can I use? Are there any limitations?
The transmitters (
"clickers") have keys that include alpha numeric
values. (i.e. 1A, 2B, 3C, 4D, 5E, 6F, 7G, 8H, 9I, 0J) Additionally,
“High” confidence and “Low” confidence keys are also provided to
allow students the ability to indicate their level of confidence with
their responses.
Multiple choice options are therefore limited to 10 choices (each question
can be configured from two to 10 individually). Numeric mode questions are
also supported, allowing a numeric value to be recorded. |
| Hardware
& Installation
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What are the minimum system requirements?
| For the Windows
environment: |
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Microsoft Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP,
or NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6 or later |
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450 MHz or faster processor |
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Internet Explorer 5.01 or greater |
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256 MB RAM |
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200 MB hard disk space is required |
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CD-ROM drive (for installation) |
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SVGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution
monitor with minimum of 16-bit color |
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Available Serial port (for connection
of PRS Receiver) |
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Microsoft Office 2000, XP or 2003 (for
PowerPoint Integration) |
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Recommended system is
Windows XP on a computer with a Pentium 4 processor,
256 MB RAM and 1024x768 resolution monitor with 32-bit color |
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| For the Macintosh
environment: |
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OS X 10.3.9 or
greater |
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400 MHz or faster processor |
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256 MB RAM |
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200 MB hard disk space is required |
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For PowerPoint
integration, Microsoft PowerPoint 2004 |
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CD-ROM drive (for installation) |
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SVGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution
monitor with minimum of 16-bit color |
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USB to Serial Adapter (for connection
of PRS Receiver) |
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Recommended system is OS
X 10.4 on a computer with a G4 867Mhz processor,
384 MB RAM and 1024x768 resolution monitor with 32-bit color |
What batteries does the transmitter ("clicker")
use
and how long do they last?
A PRS transmitter uses two AAA batteries (one set of batteries is
included with the purchase). The transmitter automatically shuts off after
15 minutes of inactivity, to help conserve the batteries. With fairly
frequent classroom use, we find the batteries last about a year.
Does the transmitter ("clicker") have a built-in code so that students
could have the same ID for all of their classes?
The most commonly used transmitter has a Fixed ID (6 digit).
This can be assigned to individual students and responses recorded as
such. There is also a Programmable ID version of the PRS transmitter that requires the school to ensure they are unique in a class and
no duplication of numbers..
How are the receivers powered?
An AC power adapter is included with a primary receiver pack. Our
standard AC adapter can power up to four receivers in a chain. We also
offer a heavy duty power supply that can power up to 12 receivers in a
chain.
How are the receivers connected to the computer?
The primary receiver set includes a three-way cable that connects to
the serial port of the computer. If the computer does not have a serial
port, a serial-to-USB adapter can be used and is available at an
additional cost.
How are the receivers connected together?
The receivers are daisy chained in series with each other. Each
receiver has an “in” and an “out” connection. The “out”
connects to the computer or another receiver in the chain. The “in” is
connected to the “out” of a receiver or left empty if it is the end of
the line or the only receiver.
How are the receivers fastened?
There are several ways to do this. Each receiver has a threaded
connection on the side that accepts a ¼” x 20 machine screw. GTCO
CalComp sells an adjustable mounting bracket (see accessories page). The
receiver is very light (about 4.5 oz.) and some have reported using self
adhesive tape or Velcro.
Where should I place the receiver in a large classroom?
The receivers should be placed so that a given transmitter (
"clicker") signal is
detected by only one receiver for efficient use of the PRS equipment. This
can be accomplished by placement in separate locations in the room. In
large lecture halls the receivers are often located in the ceiling or
along the side walls. There are several ways to do this. Each receiver has
a threaded connection on the side that accepts a ¼” x 20 machine screw.
GTCO CalComp sells an adjustable mounting bracket (see accessories page).
The receiver is very light (about 4.5 oz.) and some have reported using
self adhesive tape or Velcro.
| Receiver placement
considerations include: |
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Make sure height is sufficient to
avoid any obstructions of the signal (e.g. the presenter, podium,
etc.) |
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Adjacent receivers should be kept
20-36 feet apart. |
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In a tiered room,
receivers on the side should be place higher than the ones toward
the front of the room
so that people in the back of the room are pointing at a slightly
upward angle. |
When should I use the wireless
transceivers to connect PRS?
The wireless transceivers are best used where the location of the
computer relative to the receivers makes the installation either
complicated or expensive. It allows the connection of the computer and one
or more groups of receivers to be accomplished without cables. Some
customers have reported that the wireless systems are a significant cost
savings when it is necessary to hire a contractor or pay the Physical
Plant staff to run receiver cables.
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| Software
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What are the software license
restrictions?
When PRS is purchased, the software is site licensed to the
institution purchasing it for use with the PRS hardware. This means that
any number of copies may be made for computers owned by the institution on
which PRS hardware will be used. Copies may also be made for personally
owned computers used for class preparation or teaching at the purchasing
institution.
How can I upgrade my PRS software?
Existing users can download the latest software at: http://www.gtcocalcomp.com/supportprs.htm
How can I use my Microsoft® PowerPoint files with PRS?
InterWrite PRS software is an independent application that operates on
Windows or Macintosh OSX platforms and can easily import graphics for PRS
generated questions. For Windows users, a Microsoft® PowerPoint Add-In is
also provided. This PRS Add-In allows any Microsoft® PowerPoint slide to
become a PRS question slide for quizzing and polling.
Can questions and student responses and grades easily be exported to a
data file for use in Microsoft® Excel or student management systems such
as WebCT and BlackBoard?
Data is saved in a simple ASCII comma delimited file format (.CSV)
that can be easily read as an Excel data file or imported into other grade
book programs. Questions are saved in an XML format to support a
standards-based approach.
How do I create questions using PRS?
Questions can be easily created through several methods. A simple
question authoring tool is included in the InterWrite PRS package. Also
included is a PowerPoint add-in module that allows you to quickly and
easily turn any Microsoft® PowerPoint slide into a PRS question slide. An
XML import capability is also included which allows prepared questions,
responses and correct answers provided by book publishers to be quickly
imported into your Lesson. Questions may also be created “on-the-spot”
during your class time with InterWrite PRS.
Can I import graphics into my questions?
Yes, the PRS software supports standard graphic formats such as
.jpeg.. .png, and .gif.
Can a question be created "on the fly" during a class?
Questions may be created “on-the-fly” during a session by using
the Add Question function. This activates the PRS Question Authoring tool
where you can type in your question. You can also utilize pen-based tools,
such as the InterWrite SchoolPad, to create freehand questions in the
graphic window section of the Authoring tool.
Can the results of a question be displayed “on the spot”?
The software allows you to set each question to show a graph of the
immediate audience responses compared to the correct answer, or mask the
correct answer until all of the questions have been presented. InterWrite
PRS can be run in a No Lesson mode, where the questions are in a separate
application, or even written separately, such as on a blackboard.
How does a student tell if their response to a question has been
received? Can the students change their responses?
InterWrite PRS uses a response map, displayed by a projector that
acknowledges when a response has been received by changing colors. The
projected image from InterWrite PRS will display a “grid”, or response
map, which can include items such as the students name, nickname or unique
transmitter ("clicker") ID based on preference settings. The response map is shown
when a question is displayed and can either be a rolling response map,
where it fills up and overwrites, or it can be set up to provide a
specific location on the screen a student would look for their responses.
Response maps can be any size.
InterWrite PRS includes a chances option on each question, which allows
students to change their responses on these questions. The settings value
can be set from 1 to 99, based on instructor preferences. Only the last
response is counted. The number of times a student responded is also
tracked in the session.
Does the InterWrite PRS software have a “summary” feature that
allows the instructor to immediately display the results for a particular
question (e.g., as a histogram) for class discussion?
Yes, responses can be displayed in a graph format allowing the instructor
to visually see the distribution of responses. A “% Correct” value is
also provided for each question providing further information to the
instructor. The correct answer can be toggled on/off supporting the
instructor’s teaching methods. At the end of the question, the
instructor can click to see the detail on whom responded and their
specific response in a table fashion.
InterWrite PRS also includes an instructor window, which if a dual display
environment is used, the instructor can see the responses for a question
as students are responding. This allows the instructor to pause and
provide any additional information if desired.
Is the InterWrite PRS software/hardware that drives the system
compatible with other transmitters ("clickers")/receivers? Other software applications?
InterWrite PRS software is proprietary and operates only with the
InterWrite PRS hardware at this time. As such, the InterWrite PRS software
is provided at no additional charge for InterWrite PRS hardware users. PRS
uses XML and .csv files to provide a very broad standards-based approach.
InterWrite PRS hardware is supported by other companies, including but not
limited to, Turning Technologies, RxShow and AllPlay. GTCO CalComp
actually publishes a PRS API that allows any software developer to work
with our hardware.
What technical support is available for Interwrite PRS?
Live phone support is available at 1-800-344-4723 (MD) or
1-800-856-0732 (AZ). You may also submit your question through our
Internet site at http://www.gtcocalcomp.com/supportprs.htm.
In addition, our support site provides you with a Users’
Forum where you can discuss your PRS questions and issues with fellow
PRS users, training videos and the Interwrite PRS User’s Guide. |
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