PHYS231 In-class Response System

What is it?

For this Fall PHYS231 course, we will use the PRS in-class response system which allows the students to answer questions using a "clicker". This system will be used for short quizzes during lectures (at least once a week).

How does it work?

Each student will have his or her own unique "clicker". This is a device you have to buy from the ODU bookstore just like your text book, lab manual and the "Mastering Physics" Student access kit. You bring the "clicker" to each class (make sure the batteries haven't run out). The questions and the possible answer choices will be projected and when I start the timer, you can press the corresponding button on your "clicker" to register your answer. You will be able to see when the system has accepted your answer. All answers will be recorded and automatically scored, so I can assign points for in-class quizzes.

What do you have to do?

  1. Go to the ODU bookstore as soon as possible and buy a "clicker" (the vendor is "Interwrite PRS" - see http://www.gtco.com/interwriteprs.htm). The price is $30.00, but there are several "breaks": First of all, you can use the clicker for the rest of your studies at ODU (the system has been adopted University-wide). Second, you can return the clicker to the bookstore for a partial refund (just like you can return used textbooks - "buyback"). Of course, in the same vein you can also BUY a USED clicker. Finally, if you buy the textbook (Young/Freedman), the publisher promised to offer a rebate on the clicker. Ask the bookstore manager for details.
  2. Make sure you activate your clicker as soon as you bought it. Here's how:
    1. Go to "Leo Online" at https://www.leoonline.odu.edu/homepage_securenews.htm
    2. Scroll to the bottom, click "Enter Secure Area".
    3. Click on the second link once you've logged in - "Admissions, Registration,..."
    4. Click on "Registration"
    5. Click on "Activate/Change CLICKER Number" (bottom link)
    6. Click the button "Add/Change clicker number"
    7. Fill in the field with the 6-digit number printed on the white "sticky" on your clicker.
    8. All done.
      Note that you should have only 1 clicker (number) for all classes. If you already have a clicker and the system tells you that it is active (in step 5.), you should be registered already (nothing else for you to do). However, if your clicker number has changed, you still need to continue with the activation process outlined above.
      You can get more information at "classroom central".<> By activating your clicker, it will be linked to you and you will get credit for your answers.
  3. Should you ever lose your clicker or its number changes for any reason, please inform me immediately so I can update the system.
  4. You must bring the clicker to each class meeting. Make sure it has fresh batteries!

Updated 22-Aug-2005 Sebastian Kuhn
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