Faculty can use clickers to gauge understanding and to poll for opinions. Faculty report that they can increase student interaction using clickers. One teaching strategy is to pose a question and then display the results. If there is a wide variety in the answers, the faculty member can ask students to form groups to discuss the question. After the discussion the students can respond again. Faculty can also use clickers to take attendance.

1. Faculty need to have a computer in the classroom with the PRS software installed on it. Faculty can download the software from the web. The PRS system works with both Windows and Mac. Check the download site for latest versions supported for both platforms.

2. Students purchase clickers from the bookstore. The cost to students is slightly less than $47.00 for a new clicker. Students may also purchase used clickers.

3. Faculty submit a clicker order through the Bookstore using their "Textbook Adoption Form" for their course. To order, go to WebForms and select "Textbook Adoption Form." Fill out the required information.

This order not only facilitates the clicker order, but enables IT staff to provide support. Initially all faculty who order will be added to the PRS mailing list. See Clickers-PRS Mailing List. If you are a first time user of clickers, you are elible for an Instructional Kit which includes a clicker, receiver and manual to be used to help you prepare for teaching with clickers or to take into smaller classrooms where receivers may not be installed.

Where possible, all classrooms on central scheduling have PRS Receivers installed in the AV cabinet or podium. Check the PRS classroom list for all available classrooms. If you do not see the classroom you are teaching in listed, you will need to bring your receiver along that you received in your Instructional Kit. Please contact the PRESENT to see if a receiver can be installed in that classroom.

A special USB cable that is connected to the receiver should be attached or stored in the AV cabinet.

If you are using a classroom with the receiver already installed or you are using your own blue receiver, plug the USB receiver cable into the USB port on your computer and then turn it on. NOTE: the new receiver does not have a cable, but plugs directly into the USB port.

If you are having any problems with connecting the receiver, see p. 27 of the User's Guide or p. 37 of the online guide for further information.

The RF Receiver is automatically assigned to a COM Port and that information is communicated to the PRS software, so there is no need to set the COM Port on the Connection Menu. NOTE: The first time you use the receiver you may be prompted to add new hardware. Click here for step by step instructions for how to add the device.

You may receive a message and pop ups for the Found New Hardware Wizard when connecting with a receiver. If you are unsure what to do, click on this PDF link which will give you the necessary instructions

Faculty who would like to associate their student's names and UDelNet IDs in their PRS Roster can do so with a conversion program. This program takes the UD IDs from your existing PRS class roster and matches it up with the corresponding names and UDelNet IDs (Net IDs). Step by step instructions are available if needed to help you with this process.

The Sakai Post'Em tool allows faculty to provide feeback to students about their clicker points. This information is separate from grades entered in the gradebook. Step by step instructions are available for faculty who would like to export the PRS gradebook to Sakai Post'Em.

The Sakai Gradebook tool allows faculty to import clicker grades at any time throughout the semester. Step by step instructions are available for faculty who would like to export the PRS gradebook to the Sakai gradebook.

Step by step instructions are available for faculty who would like to export the PRS gradebook to WebCT.

Any troubleshooting issues or questions that arise when using the software or connecting with the receivers that need addressing will be listed here.

• If you see a warning message stating that it may not function properly or alter window’s function -> you may ignore the warning. (Some anti-spyware or anti-virus programs may give a warning like this.)

• If you see a Windows Security Alert asking whether you want to keep blocking this program, Memo: Java. You should select “Unblock”.

• Some clickers purchased by students come with a default student ID (e.g. ABCDETF). If the students have not changed the ID and try to login for a class, you will get an error message for every clicker using the same ID.  It doesn't effect those that have logged in with a proper ID, but it is a nuisance because you have to deal with the messages. It is imperative that students put in their UD ID before joining a class. They will not get credit for their responses if they do not put in their valid ID. The students can use the video or other resources available if they still have questions.

• Students who have purchased a used clicker will need to update the clicker with their own UDID. If students have not changed the ID, you may get a valid UDID in your roster for a student not enrolled in your course.

• When using Windows PowerPoint 2007, the PRS toolbar is accessible through the "Add-ins" tab. 

Firmware updater for PRS hubs lets receivers work from USB power only so you don't have to plug in the AC adapter. (WinXP only) To update your receiver for this capability, please click here for step by step instructions.

The following training sessions are periodically available—check on the Professional Development calendar for when classes are scheduled, class descriptions and registration.

• Clickers: Experience It Yourself
• Clickers: PRS Basic Features
• Clickers: Working with the Data
• Clickers: PRS Advanced Features

There is always live training available via the web and telephone from the vendor. Click here to review the schedule and to register for a radio frequency (RF) PRS session.

There is a Clickers-PRS mailing list available for faculty interested. This list is a private list of faculty using clickers at UD in their teaching and User Services staff.

This list is meant to be informative, helpful and useful as a resource. It will provide a means for User Services to communicate with all clicker users. More importantly, it is an avenue where faculty can ask questions, share ideas and gather suggestions regarding the use of clickers in classrooms.

If you are unfamiliar with mailing lists, information regarding how to use or join can be found at http://udel.edu/mailman/listinfo/clickers-prs.

A faculty committee staffed by IT/User Services and the Office of Educational Assessment has recommended campus-wide standardization on PRS InterWrite personal response systems or "clickers" from eInstruction. The University has signed an agreement with the vendor to make PRS InterWrite the officially supported "clicker."

This standardization means that students will need to purchase only one clicker for their entire university career. There will be no additional course registration fee. In addition, the committee found this model to offer superior functionality to others in the market and this clicker is independent of any particular textbook publisher.

This agreement does not prohibit faculty from using competing clicker systems. It does mean that this is the only clicker system that IT/User Services will support.

A program evaluation for the use of clickers on campus is underway. Information on the process of implementing, supporting and assessing this new technology is available by clicking here.

Faculty can use their keyboard as a virtual clicker for testing. In order to do so you must create a fake IR and RF class for testing, rather than an RF class, and choose this fake class rather than your real class when starting your session. The keyboard can only be used to test multiple choice questions.