Classroom Response System
(Clickers):
We
will be using a classroom response system that is based on radio
frequency technology. The
goal is to
encourage student participation and assist in your learning and my
teaching.
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1.
Required
Equipment: InterWrite
PRS RF (Handheld Transmitter, also known
as a clicker or classroom remote) made by
GTCO CalComp. NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE
SAME AS THE H-ITT REMOTE.
You can find more information on the remote and the technology at:
http://www.gtcocalcomp.com/supportprsrf_students.htm
You can purchase the InterWrite
PRS RF at the campus bookstore new for $46.70, but you might want
to
buy the textbook first, since the Campbell/Reece text bundle at the
bookstore ($156.85), includes a $20 rebate towards the price of the
remote. You can also purchase used remotes.
Net cost: When you are through taking courses that use the
remote (there is no extra charge to use the system for multiple
classes), you can sell the remote back to the bookstore
(or directly to another student). The amount you get back from the
rebate and resale should make the net cost for use less than $10. Note
that Physics is now adopting the same remote (it has been decided it
will be the new campus standard).
One set of three AAA
batteries should easily get you through the quarter.
2.
Registering your remote:
Registration is automatic. The first time you use the remote in class you'll enter your student ID #. That's it.
Once you are registered for the course, your PID and clicker # will get matched up with your name. Concurrent enrollment students should make up a PID # and E-mail it to the instructor with their full name
3.
How it will work:
Throughout
the course, you will use a transmitter (or "clicker") like a TV remote
to answer questions that I
pose during class time. A receiver linked to my laptop will enable me
to project a graph showing the
distribution of responses among all the students in the class. This
rapid feedback will let you see whether
you grasp the material and will provide me guidance as to how well I am
communicating particular important
ideas.
I will use the
technology in two ways that will together count toward 10% of your
course grade* :
a. Daily
quiz. At the start of each class I will ask several
multiple choice or multiple true-false questions. For each you will
receive six clicker points for correct
answers and three clicker points otherwise. These questions will
usually be
based
on material covered in the previous class and
will test learning rather than memorization.
b. Student
participation. I will ask questions
during class designed to help
you and me gauge learning. You will get six clicker points for
responding to the answers whether or not your response is
correct.
* For
the first three class sessions, we will only practice using the H-ITT
system. During these classes, your answers will not count
toward
your grade. This practice time should give everyone enough time
to purchase a remote transmitter, register it online, and become
familiar with its use. Beginning July 9th, your answers and
participation will count toward your grade.
3.
Forgotten, missing, or malfunctioning clickers:
Getting 80% of the available clicker points over the
quarter will
earn you full clicker credit (200 points, equal to half the
midterm). What this means is that you can come to
class and discover that you have dead batteries or no clicker and not
have to inform me or worry. The responsibility for limiting such
problems to just one or two class sessions is entirely yours.
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