The Basics

• Before the session

• At the session

• After the session

Additional Resources

• Borrow Clickers from CTE

• Clicker classroom channels

Before the session

1. Make sure your classroom is clicker-ready, by checking this list.

2. Please tell the Bookstore (Textbook Department) that you plan to use clickers so they can order enough for their inventory. 

3. Download and install the appropriate version* of the TurningPoint software on your computer. Note - Before installing: If you have an earlier version of TurningPoint, you must uninstall it before installing the lastest version.
   • For installation instructions, click here (Windows) or here (Mac).

* Note: To verify the version, click the Information icon on the TurningPoint toolbar (first icon on the left). The current version is TurningPoint 2008 4.1.0.9020, (Windows) or TurningPoint 1.2.2 (Mac).

4. Student Preparation:
   • For your students who have purchased an XR, RF clicker, or web-enabled device, they must register it at their UMD portal page at http://my.umd.edu under the Academics & Testudo tab (Faculty access it through the Faculty & Staff tab). Registration is very simple, but you can refer your students the Students tab on this site for more information.
   • For those who wish to use an Apple iPhone/iTouch, laptop, or other mobile device, they will need to purchase a ResponseWare license, and then also register it at http://my.umd.edu. Please refer them to the Students tab on this site (clickers.umd.edu). 1/29/09 Update - Registering Clickers: If your students are unable to a get to their umd portal site, please tell them to use this page to register their clickers.

5. Create a "clicker enabled" PowerPoint presentation. Here are basic step-by-step instructions for creating a presentation Win Office 2003, Win Office 2007, Mac Office 2004 (pdf). For more complete information, see How to Create Slides Win Office 2003, Win Office 2007, Mac Office 2004 (pdf) from the TP User Guide.

Notes:
About Setting Answer Values -- When you start a new TurningPoint presentation, answers to questions will have a default value. If you want to set a different value for the answers, it is important to apply them BEFORE running your presentation because the current set value will be recorded in the saved session file. See instructions for Windows Office 2007 or instructions for the Mac Office 2004.

Instructor Packets --If you would like to test your presentation and familiarize yourself with the devices, you can check-out a packet for the duration of the term from the OIT Helpdesk that contains a receiver and an RF and XR model clicker. If you wish to do this, please be sure to notify the helpdesk (5-1500) a couple of hours in advance so that the appropriate staff member will be available to assist you.

6. If you are planning on using your own laptop in the classroom, you will need a Presenter ID to login to ResponseWare (classroom computers already have prefilled IDs). ResponseWare allows students use their iPhones and other mobile devices as the response device instead of purchasing a separate keypad. To request a Presenter ID, please email clickers@umd.edu, as soon as possible in advance of your classroom presentation.

7. Participant Lists (optional): To get and save a participant list to take to the classroom, select the preferred method below.

• Note: If using a classroom computer, you'll need to either download it at the classroom or bring your participant list with you. If you import and your particpant list before the session at another location, it is best to save it on a portable device, such as a flash drive. Then, bring it with you to the class and import it to TurningPoint on the computer provided there. For Windows users, who have used the Blackboard wizard to download their participant list, the file (.tpp) can be located in the Participants folder, which is in the TurningPoint folder under My Documents.

At the session

Note -- Office 2007 Users: If you created your ppt slides with Office 2007, the file will be converted to Office 2003 when you open it in TurningPoint on the classroom computer. Office 2003 documents can be opened in Office 2007 without conversion.

Note -- Please Read: Beginning Fall 2008, students may come to your class equipped with any of three possible types of response devices. Be aware that each device is significantly different from the other in both design and operation. Please be prepared to address the possibility of various device types appearing in your classroom by understanding their major differences and use. Read about them, here.

Get Ready and Run the Presentation: Take the appropriate document (for Windows or Mac), below, with you to the classroom. It provides the basic sequence of steps for running the session--from testing the response reception, importing the saved participant list, to running and saving the session.

Notes for Personal Laptop Users : If you are using your laptop to deliver the presentation instead of the classroom computer, remember to bring your own receiver. Also, if you've updated to TP 2008, be sure to use the 2008 receiver, which is an off-white color, with a tiny purple dot next to the bar code. The old recevier is dark grey. To trade-in or purchase a receiver, contact the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE). Also, if you are using your own laptop, you will need a Presenter ID so that you can login to ResponseWare (www.rwpoll.com), which is necessary for students using mobile devices such as the iPhone instead of a clicker keypad. Email clickers@umd.edu, to request a Presenter ID, as soon as possible in advance of your class.

Windows option instructions, when giving the presentation on the classroom computer (or other Windows-based computer, i.e., laptop): Office 2003 Office 2007 (pdf).

Mac option instructions, when giving the presentation on your Mac laptop: Office 2004 (pdf) ResponseWare Presenter Login for Mac(animated tutorial)

After the session

• View reports from session data (Windows, pdf) (Mac, pdf)
• Export session data (student scores):