Media Services

• Overview
  • Hours & Locations
  • Staff
• Classrooms & Labs
  • Media Retrieval System (MRS)
  • Satellite TV Signals Available
• Borrowing Equipment
  • Audience Response Systems: Overview
  • Equipment Available
  • Laptops & Projectors
  • 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

Audience Response Systems: Loan Policy

Try before you adopt

Loaner kits available through Technology Media Services make it possible for faculty and staff to experiment with Audience Response System (ARS) clickers before requiring students to buy them, or having a department buy their own set.  For more more information, see the Audience Response Systems: Overview page.

Prior to scheduling a loan, faculty and 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. Also see support below.

The kits and software

The clickers come in a kit that includes 60 clickers and a USB receiving antenna. Simmons currently owns 2 kits.  Kits can be combined to serve larger classes.  The PowerPoint add-in software required to use the clicker system is already installed in all classrooms and labs. 

For more general information, see: clicker software.

You may also be interested in the handout provided with each loan about to avoid one system interfering with another in a room next door.

Terms of an ARS kit loan

Faculty and staff may borrow an ARS kit for 14 calendar days. Kits are made available by advance reservation on a first-come first-served basis. All loans are subject to availability.  One person may borrow clickers a maximum of two times each semester.  If you need the kit for fewer than 2 weeks, please arrange with Media Services for a shorter loan period.

To schedule an ARS kit loan, please contact Media Services at 617-521-2765. Please specify how many clickers you need.

Fine policy

All loans are subject to the Simmons College Technology Fine Policy. If a loaner kit(s) is returned after the due date and time, or without all of its components (a complete set of clickers and USB receiver), the faculty or staff member will be expected to pay a fine.

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 your first use in class, you test clickers in the classroom you will be using.