Personal response systems, colloquially known as "clickers" allow students to interact with an instructor's presentation of material during class time.  Instructors can quickly gather data about how well students are understanding the material being presented.

TurningPoint is the software that interfaces with the clicker device.  TurningPoint resembles PowerPoint (and uses the PowerPoint engine), but has a number of additional features that enhance presentations and make them interactive for students.

Overview of Clickers -- Some frequently asked questions (and answers!) about personal response systems.

Planning for Using Personal Response Systems in the Classroom -- If you are going to be using clickers, there are a number of issues you need to consider.

Tutorial Presentations

TurningPoint 2008 -- TurningPoint 2008 requires the use of Microsoft Office 2007 to function properly.  The Basic and Intermediate presentations below illustrate some of the differences in how TurningPoint 2008 works within Office 2007. Contact the IT Help Desk for assistance with installing TurningPoint 2008 and Office 2007.

• Basic TurningPoint 2008 (PowerPoint) -- Includes how to create/modify slides and how to run/save a TurningPoint 2008 session.
• Intermediate TurningPoint 2008 (PowerPoint) -- Includes all of the information from the Basic presentation above and also information on how to set standards, how to create conditional branching, and how to set up comparative links.  Recommended for experienced clicker instructors only.

XR Clickers -- The new XR clickers allow students to provide numerical answers when responding to a clicker question.  They can also store answers in their XR clicker and submit a group of answers all at once. Turning Technologies developed the content for the PowerPoint presentations below.

Changing Channels (PowerPoint) -- How to change channels on an XR Clicker Answering Questions (PowerPoint) -- Learn how to submit multiple choice, numeric, and text-based answers for clicker questions. Configuring User Data (PowerPoint) -- Learn how to personalize your clicker by programming in your name. Creating Tests and Homework (PowerPoint) -- Learn how to save answers for test and homework assignments.

 Additional Resources:

Journal of Chemical Education: "Optimizing the Use of Personal Response Devices (Clickers) in Large-Enrollment Introductory Courses" by Dr. Klaus Woelk, Associate Professor of Chemistry