UAB Instructional Technology

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UAB Clickers

In an effort to establish a well supported, cost-effective use of clickers ("classroom interactive response systems"), and to assist with their integration across campus, UAB has selected eInstruction as the standard UAB Response System. The eInstruction system was chosen for its ease of use, compatibility with UAB computing environment and technical support.

What are Clickers?

Clickers, or Interactive Personal Response Systems, are small wireless handheld keypads resembling a TV remote control that allow students to respond to classroom questions, polls and quizzes. Faculty can instantly collect individual student responses and display the data back to the class in the form of charts. The collected data allows faculty to adjust instruction and provides students with prompt feedback.

Clickers are well suited for class discussion and have been shown to promote students' interaction and engagement. Faculty using clickers have reported an increase in attendance, with students actively participating and better prepared for class.

UAB Clicker Platform: eInstruction CPS RF

The Classroom Performance System includes a receiver which is attached to the instructor's computer and works with the CPS software to record students' answers. Students use a radio frequency response pad to send in their responses.

How Do I Get Started?

Faculty

Faculty interested in implementing eInstruction clickers should request an instructor kit. Once requested, a kit can be acquired at 142, Lister Hill Library. It includes a receiver which handles over 1000 students simultaneously, the CPS software and a clicker pad to test the system.

A list of technology enhanced classrooms equipped with eInstruction receivers is available at http://www.uab.edu/it/instech/classrooms.html.

For use in other classrooms, faculty should use the individual receiver included in their instructor kits.

To obtain their free instructor kit faculty should fill out the Instructor Kit Request Form.

The information faculty will need to provide:

Name
Address (Please use a physical address, not a PO Box)
Phone #
Email
Course
Department
Over all number of students who will be using clickers

Allow 5 - 7 business days for shipping. When the kit comes in, we will send an email so that the requesting faculty may come by to pick it up.

Students

Student eInstruction response pads (transmitters) are available through the Barnes & Noble UAB bookstore and Snoozy's for approximately $22.00 each. To register the pad, please review the following instructions. The pad can be used in multiple classes.

Bookstore ISBNs and Approximate Pricing

Purchasing the clicker pad (Gen 2 RF Pad) $22.00 ISBN 978-1-881483-71-7
1 term enrollment code $16.00 ISBN 978-1-881483-04-5
Lifetime Code $45.00 ISBN 978-1-881483-76-2

Why use Clickers?

Used properly with well-designed questions, clickers have been found to enhance learning through increased interaction and motivation, and with students engaged in what is happening in class. Clickers also provide on-the-spot valuable data about students' understanding of class material, allowing faculty to adjust instruction accordingly.

Benefits to students

Students can...

Become active participants in class
Get instant feedback on their knowledge and/or comprehension
Receive instruction adapted to their immediate needs
Find out how they measure up to the rest of the class
Voice their opinion without apprehension or embarrassment
Express themselves in spite of shyness
Identify areas they need to improve on

Benefits to Faculty

Faculty can...

Gather data to gauge students' comprehension before moving on
Poll students and display class results instantly
Enhance large lecture class with increased student participation and interaction
Increase students' understanding and retention of topics by keeping them engaged
Allow anonymity on controversial questions
Provide feedback to students on their understanding
Check if students can apply a concept to a different context
Transform one-way teacher lecture into teacher-student interaction
Get a large volume of individual answers immediately
Reduce time on administrative tasks such as grading and taking attendance

Getting Help

For issues with the eInstruction Response System pads, software and features, please contact:

eInstruction Technical Support
Phone: 888.333.4988

Monday - Thursday: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. CST
Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST

e-mail or Live Chat: http://www.einstruction.com/support

For issues using the eInstruction Response System within your technology enhanced classroom, please contact:

AskIT at 205-996-5555 (6-5555 on campus) or by e-mail at AskIT@uab.edu.

UAB Contact - Terry Harrington, UAB Instructional Technology, at 934-0417 or tharring@uab.edu

eInstruction Training and Guides

Training

http://www.einstruction.com/support_downloads/training.html - click on CPS 6.5 Training Videos - Higher Education

eInstruction Guides/Manuals

CPSOnline Higher Ed Instructor Setup Guide (Compatible with CPS 6.5) Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 1a - Create a CPS Database Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 1b - Detect the CPS Receiver Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 1c - Create a Class Roster Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 1d - Add Students and Edit a Class Roster Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 1f - Create a Quick Class Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 3a - Create Folders and Lessons Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 3b - Create Questions in CPS Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 3c - Add Graphics to a Question Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 3d - Add Notes and Media to a Question Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 3e - Preview a Question in Standard Mode Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 3f - Copy and Paste, Edit, and Reorder Questions Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 3g - Engage Standard Mode and Change Delivery Options Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 7a - Generate, Print, and Export Reports Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 7b - Re-grade Questions Adobe PDF File

CPS PC 6.0 - QS - 7c - Re-grade Students Adobe PDF File

Clickers Resources/References

7 things you should know about... Clickers Adobe PDF File

Clickers: A Teaching Gimmick that Works Adobe PDF File

No Wrong Answer: Click It External Link

Twelve Tips For Using a Computerized Interactive Audience Response? External Link

Clicking on or off? Lecturers' rationale for using student response systems Adobe PDF File

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External Link indicates an external link to a third-party website. Links to third-party websites are provided solely as a convenience to users of this page, and are provided for informational/resource purposes only. UAB does not have a contract with such sites and has not reviewed any ‘click’ agreements that may be required for use of the web sites. Use of any third-party link/site is strictly at the discretion of the individual user.