Interwrite Virtual Clicker
Interwrite™ Virtual Clicker
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Download the User’s Guides to help get you started with using your new Interwrite Virtual Clicker software.

For Desktop Configurations

Virtual Clicker for PC Users Guide
Virtual Clicker Instructors Guide

For PDA Configurations

Virtual Clicker for PDA Users Guide
Virtual Clicker Instructors Guide

 

 

 

 

Windows Windows 2000, XP or Vista*
Microsoft Windows 98 SE, Me or NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6 or later (for an IR Receiver installation)
Intel Pentium III Processor 1GHz or higher (or equivalent)
512 MB RAM
200 MB hard disk space for installation
CD-ROM Drive for installation
XVGA (1024 x 768) or higher resolution video with minimum of 16 bit color
Available USB Port for Receiver installation
Microsoft Office 2000, XP, 2003, 2007 (for PowerPoint integration)

* Microsoft recommends additional system requirements for Vista. PRS will run on the minimum system recommendation for Vista.
Mac Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4
700 MHz processor or higher (includes support for Intel Macs)
512 MB RAM
200 MB hard disk space for installation
CD-ROM Drive for installation
1024 x 768 or higher resolution video
Available USB Port for Receiver installation
Microsoft Office 2004 (for PowerPoint integration)
Linux Intel Pentium III Processor or higher (or equivalent)
512 MB RAM
200 MB hard disk space for installation
CD-ROM Drive for installation
XVGA (1024 x 768) or higher resolution video with minimum of 16 bit color
Available USB Port for Receiver installation

Linux Distributions Supported:
  • Ubuntu 6.06LTS (Dapper Drake)
  • Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy Eft)/7.04 (Feisty Fawn)
  • LinEx 2006 with all updates
  • Fedora Core 3/4/5
  • CentOS
  • LinKat 1.0
  • Mandriva 2006
  • GuadaLinex 3.01
  • SuSe 10.1/10.2
  • MoLinex 2.0
  • Max 2
  • Lliurex
Operating System Support Windows, Mac and Linux
Question Types Supported Multiple Choice (including multiple correct), True/False, Answer Series, Numeric (including positive/negative, decimal point and fractions), Short Answer
Modes Live Polling, Self-Paced, Homework (offline)
PowerPoint Integration Yes (Windows and Mac environments)
Question Authoring Tool Yes (can also import questions from book publishers)
Confidence Levels High/Low Confidence
Software License Included with PRS purchase. No recurring fees.
Reporting Capabilities A variety of reports can be produced, including: attendance, results for a single session, individual student or an entire semester-to-date performance report.
Grade Book Includes integrated grade book. Can also export to Blackboard, WebCT, WebAssign and comma delimited files (Excel compatible).

Classroom Techniques

What types of questions are supported by Virtual Clicker?
The virtual Clicker keys include the numbers 0 through 9; alpha characters A through E, T and F; a decimal point; and the minus (negative) sign. The entire alphabet can be accessed by pressing one of the alpha keys and scrolling up or down to the desired letter. A forward slash can be entered into an answer by pressing the decimal point key twice. A space can be entered by pressing the decimal point key three times.

Question types supported by Virtual Clicker include Single Answer Multiple Choice, Multiple Correct Multiple Choice, True/False, Answer Series, Numeric, and Survey. Lettered response choices or numbered response choices can be designated for both of the Multiple Choice question types, and for Answer Series and Survey question types.

How do students enter their responses on the Clicker and will they know when their responses have been received?
The Virtual Clicker has a display that is 2 lines by 16 characters. The keys pressed by the student appear on the first line of the display. The second line shows status messages returned by PRS. The response is sent when the Send/Enter key is pressed. A status message, such as Received, will appear on the second line of the Clicker display when the response has been processed.

Can the students change their responses?
The instructor can set the number of chances, from 1 to 99, a student has to answer a question. PRS tracks the number of times a student responds to a question. Only the last response is saved.

How are the results reviewed with the class?
When the question timer is stopped, or time runs out, a Response Chart is displayed. The Response Chart graphs the distribution of the responses to the question and the correct response (instructor’s choice). Students and instructors appreciate the instant feedback. It opens up opportunities for discussion and reveals areas of weakness in the level of comprehension of the material being covered.

How do I review the results of a session at a later time?
The Interwrite PRS software has a “Review Session” feature that allows you to go over the results of a session at any time. Session results, the students’ responses, are saved in a comma-delimited, CSV file, which can be viewed in a variety of applications, including Microsoft Excel, Notepad, and Word.

Software

How can I use my Microsoft® PowerPoint files with PRS?
Any slide in a PowerPoint Slide Show can be turned into a PRS Question Slide. We have developed a PRS PowerPoint Add-in for both Mac and Windows users that makes it easy to set up PRS question slides in PowerPoint. All of the PRS question types are supported by the PRS Add-in.

Can questions, student responses and grades be exported to a data file for use in Microsoft® Excel or one of the course management systems, such as WebCT or Blackboard?
PRS response data are saved in an ASCII, comma-delimited .CSV format. This is an Excel file format that can be imported into a number of grade book applications. PRS questions are saved in an industry-standard .XML format.

How do I create questions using PRS?
Questions can be easily created in several ways. A question authoring tool is included in the Interwrite PRS software. You can use this authoring tool not only to create questions in PRS, but to insert a new question or insert an existing question from your lesson library. The PowerPoint Add-in module provides a way to quickly and easily turn any Microsoft® PowerPoint slide into a PRS question slide. The XML import function makes it possible to import prepared questions, responses and correct answers provided by book publishers into your Lesson. And finally, ad hoc questions can be created “on the fly” during a PRS Session.

Can I import graphics into my questions?
Yes, the PRS software supports standard graphic formats such as .jpeg, .png, and .gif.

Can a question be created "on the fly" during a class?
Questions can be created “on-the-fly” during a session by using either the Insert New Question or the Insert Existing Question function. This activates the PRS question authoring tool, which is used to compose your question and response choices, if appropriate. You can use pen-based tools, such as the Interwrite Pad, to create freehand questions in the graphic window section of the authoring tool.

Can the results of a question be displayed “on the spot”?
The software provides the option to automatically show a graph of the audience responses as soon as the question timer expires or is stopped. Other option settings allow the instructor to show the correct answer for each question or hide the correct answer until after all of the questions have been presented. InterWrite PRS can be run in a No Lesson mode, where the questions originate in a separate application, or are written on a blackboard or displayed on an overhead projector. Even in No Lesson mode, responses are automatically charted and displayed.

Does the Interwrite PRS software have a “summary” feature that allows the instructor to immediately display a question’s results for class discussion?
Yes. Responses can be displayed in a graph format allowing the instructor and students to see the distribution of responses. A “% Correct” value can be selected for each question’s responses, providing additional information for the instructor. The correct answer can be toggled on or off – depending on the instructor’s teaching style. At the end of a question, the instructor can view the details of the responses – who responded and their individual responses – in a tabular format.

What technical support is available for Interwrite Virtual Clicker?
Live phone support is available at 1-800-856-0732 or 1-480-443-2214 (outside the US). Or, you can submit your question via our online form. In addition, our support site maintains a Support Forum, where you can discuss your PRS questions and issues with fellow PRS users and access training videos and the Interwrite PRS User’s Guide.

Copyright 2008 eInstruction™