Media Services

• Overview
  • Hours & Locations
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• Classrooms & Labs
  • Media Retrieval System (MRS)
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• Borrowing Equipment
  • Audience Response Systems: Overview
  • Equipment Available
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  • Fine Policy
• Media Viewing
  • Faculty & Staff FAQ
  • Student FAQ
• Training & Support
• Event Services
  • Policies, Procedures, and Necessary Information
  • Technology Built Into Event Spaces
  • Event Booking Process
  • Equipment Rental Rates
  • Media Retrieval System (MRS)
  • Advertise Your Events on the MDS
• Request Forms
  • Media Equipment for Classrooms
  • Event Request Forms
  • MRS Broadcast Request
  • Software Installation Request
  • Message Display Request
  • Performance Release

Use of Audience Response Systems at Simmons

Simmons standard ARS

As of January 2007, Simmons uses TurningPoint as our Audience Response System (ARS, or "clicker" system).  The software, which integrates with PowerPoint, is installed on all classroom and lab computers.  In order to assure the best possible price.  To provide the level of support needed, other clicker system software will not be purchased with Simmons funds nor will it be installed on Simmons computers.

Try before you adopt

Loaner kits available through Technology Media Services make it possible for faculty and staff to experiment with clickers for up to two weeks.  After the two week trial, faculty and staff will need to make a decision to require students to buy them, or have a department buy their own set. For additional information, please see the loan policy.

Clicker systems components

Clicker systems have 3 components:

1. Clickers, operated by students or participants
2. Software, installed on the professor or leader's computer (already installed on all Simmons podium computers)
3. A USB receiver plugged into the computer that receives signals as the students "click," and sends them into the software

There are kits available to faculty and staff for 2 week loans through Media Services that include both clickers and a USB receiver.

1. Clickers
   Clickers, or "response cards" are used by participants to choose among items they see projected through a PowerPoint presentation. You push one of the buttons on the clicker in order to register your response. 
   
   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, which the bookstore graciously offers without mark-up, at the discounted price Simmons has negotiated with Turning Point.
   
   At Simmons, most faculty using clickers will ask students to purchase them, just as they ask students to purchase text books.  Some departments or administrative units may choose to purchase their own sets of clickers (and USB receivers), and to internally manage loaning clickers to students and sharing clickers/USB receivers among faculty or staff.  As with all other technology purchases, to purchase your own set of clickers and a USB receiver, please send email to Technology, asking for a quote.
   
   Clicker batteries (CR2032 3 volts) are available at the bookstore.  Battery life varies with use.
2. The software
   ARS software both presents the questions and converts signals entered by participants using the clickers, through the USB receiver, into responses shown on the screen. The PowerPoint add-in software must be installed on the professor or leader's computer, and is already installed on all Simmons podium computers as well as lab computers.
   
   To use the software in your office, you need to make a software installation request through the online form. After choosing "I would like software installed that does not appear on the list above," indicate you would like the most recent version of Turning Point.  Software installation requests are completed within 5 business days.
   
   If you have PowerPoint, you may also download the software onto your home computer and give it a try.
   
   See also:  Turning Point User Guide.
   
3. The USB receiver
   A USB receiver, plugged into the computer, receives signals as the students "click," and sends them into the software.
   
   Faculty and staff may borrow a Turning Point USB receiver from Media Services for a semester at a time.  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 make that purchase through Technology to ensure the receiver is correctly coded.

Before you use clickers in the classroom or elsewhere

Prior to using clickers at Simmons, faculty or staff must schedule a 1-hour orientation session with a member of Academic Technology by sending email to ptrc@simmons.edu, or calling 617-521-2736. See the loan policy, for information about loaner kits available through Media Services. 

Support

In tests conducted by Simmons faculty and staff, we have found that students find the technology easy to use, and it does not require significant training for faculty or students.  Support beyond the 1-hour orientation session is limited. 

Troubleshooting a clicker system issue during your class will be disruptive.  Therefore, Technology recommends that before you first use it in class, that you test clickers in the classroom where you will be using it.