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CTec Hotline:

304-293-CTEC

 

CTec Email:

CTec@mail.wvu.edu

 

CTec Offices:

Oglebay Hall G4

Allen Hall 707C

 

Office Hours:

Mon - Fri  8:15am - 4:45pm
(Technology Support for Classes and Evening Appointments Available)

 

PRS Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is PRS? (The Basics...)
  2. Where is PRS available?
  3. How do I get started?
  4. What if I have software questions?
  5. How do I create a PRS roster with student names using WVU eCampus?
  6. What if a PRS clicker is broken, missing, or needs new batteries?
  7. What if none of the PRS clickers recognize my class but instead try to connect to TEMPTEMP?
  8. What if a PRS clicker seems to work for the student, but the answers are not being saved?
  9. What if scores from one or more clickers aren't transferring to eCampus correctly?
  10. What if the PowerPoint session is started, but the PRS "class" isn't found and the pull-down list doesn't work?
  11. Can I add a PRS question while PowerPoint is running?
  12. Can I move or delete the PRS toolbar when it gets in the way of my slides?
  13. Is there an easier way to keep track of clicker problems and who is using each clicker?
  14. Is there an easier way to give the students their points whenever they use a different clicker?
  15. When a clicker fails, is there an improved way to fix the problem?
  16. What should I do when the computer says "Clickers have joined with multiple ID's" in the middle of the session?
  17. What should I do if the PRS clicker's screen goes blank?
  18. Why can't my PRS clicker find or join the class?
  19. Why does it take so long for the PRS clicker to find the class?
  20. If the classroom channel is always the same, why won't my PRS clicker join the class?
  21. Why does the PRS clicker say "Wait for Q"?
  22. How do I know the PRS software received the answwer from the clicker?
  23. Can a student change their answer once they enter it?
  24. Are there any problems running multiple class sessions?
  25. Is there any additional information, tips or hints?

1. What is PRS?

"PRS" stands for Personal Response System. This system consists of clickers (remotes that the students will use to submit their answers), clicker boxes (mounted on the walls around the classrooms that hold the clickers between classes), and software (loaded on the instructor's PC in the lectern). The PRS clickers are used by the students to submit responses to questions. The clickers are numbered, so they should be assigned to a particular student and made their reponsibility to return that clicker at the end of class. The PRS clicker boxes are mounted on the walls around the classroom and hold the clickers. It is the instructor's responsiblity to unlock the boxes and then re-lock them, checking for missing clickers at the end of class. The software is used to collect the responses, compare answers using graphs, and can grade them if you specify which answer is correct and how many points to assign.

WVU has standardized on using PRS-rf clickers from Interwrite. The manufacturer's website has the software, training resources, documenation, and a discussion board for advanced help.

Student-focused video tutorials can be shown on the first day of class PRS is used, or links to the content can be given as homework. Videos are available on:

A. How to retrieve a PRS clicker remote (.avi)

B. How to turn on the PRS clicker and scan for your class (.avi)

C. How to answer basic questions using the PRS clicker (.avi)

D. Advanced answering techniques using the PRS clicker (.avi)

E. Tips for troubleshooting PRS (.avi)

The system is quite versitile, but does take preparation and planning to utilize its features. A picture of the PRS-rf clicker is included below:

See a larger version of this PRS Clicker image

2. Where is PRS available?

CTec supports 28 PRS-equipped classrooms with locations in AGS 1001, ALH 406, ARM 209, BKH 125, BKH 202, BKH 225, BUE 458, BUE 459, CKH 101, CKH 104, CKH 112, CKH 208, EIE G24, EIE 503, ESB G39, ESB G102, HOD 259, HOD 260, LSB G11, LSB G15, MHH G20, MHH G21, MHH 122, MHH 126, MRB 113, OGH 117, SAS 1021, and WHI G21. The instructional technology equipment in these classrooms (projector, PC, etc.) is also supported by CTec, so please contact us for information regarding these facilities.

3. How do I get started?

A training session is required for proper use and is available through OIT Workshops and will guide you through the process of clicker and software use with step-by-step handouts. The PRS software is intricate and does take some time to get used to when using multiple features. After training, you will also need to review the CTec classrooms' PRS webpage to obtain the particular room's Class-ID code and its Clicker-ID list for creating your PRS roster and sessions. A student roster is also needed to sync data into WVU ECampus (formerly WebCT Vista) if grading and posting; this can be created manually and downloaded from your WVU ECampus class's information. A short video (.avi) shows the steps to creating a PRS Roster File by merging the Clicker-ID file and a WVU eCampus roster list. A PRS roster should be created for each class section an instructor plans to teach (for example, if an instructor teaches 3 sections of the same class, they will need 3 rosters).

4. What if I have software questions?

Proper use of the software requires you to attend a training session. OIT will start to provide training sessions through their regular software workshops in March 2007. Please contact OIT to request training. Additional online tutorials are available from the manufacturer such as Creating PRS Lessons using PRS software, Creating PRS Lessons using PowerPoint, Creating PRS Questions using PRS software, and Using Your Data With PRS Gradebook. There is even free, live WebEx training available from the manufacturer.

5.How do I create a PRS roster with student names using WVU eCampus?

Using WVU eCampus is the easiest way to import students names into a working PRS roster. Attending a PRS training session is necessary for proper training on how this is done.

6. What if a PRS clicker is broken, missing, or needs new batteries?

Put the clicker back and contact CTec. We try to fix these daily, so let us know immediately when problems occur. We need that information to help track down missing clickers, fix broken ones, or replace batteries. In the meantime, please use one of the extra clickers provided (about 10% extra clickers than seats are in each room). To help you track which of your students are using spare clickers, please have them fill out a form that you can use to correctly keep graded data.

7. What if none of the PRS clickers recognize my class but instead try to connect to TEMPTEMP?

When downloading the ClickerID file, rename the file to another name associated with your class, so that the software does not confuse your class for the TEMPTEMP class. Also, when creating a class, be sure to use the specific ClassID listed on your classrooom's PRS webpage. This specific code is needed to associate the clickers with your class.

8. What if a PRS clicker seems to work for the student, but the answers are not being saved?

If your PRS file has been opened into Microsoft Excel, saved, and used again in PRS then the data will probably be corrupt. Excel changes some of the ClickerID's to scientific format which will keep the PRS software from recognizing the clicker in the future. Once opened in Excel, please do not use that file in the PRS software.

9. What if scores from one or more clickers aren't transferring to eCampus correctly?

The PRS clicker may need to be reprogrammed. To diagnose this, open the PRS software, go to the Sessions tab, select the session for which you suspect a problem, hit "MARK" to open the Marking window, click on the seat/name column heading twice to sort the entries. Once this is done, loaner clickers will sort to the top of the list. Look for any students with "--" for Last Name or clicker numbers with a "?" mark. These students will not receive scores in the gradebook and must be corrected by hand. Please notify CTEC that this clicker needs reprogrammed. Once the units are reprogrammed, scrores will post correctly.

10. What if the PowerPoint session is started, but the PRS "class" isn't found and the pull-down list doesn't work?

The previous "class" in PRS is probably still running. Go to the "RF" menu and select "End Class" or restart the software, and then restart your PowerPoint presentation.

11. Can I add a PRS question while PowerPoint is running?

You can add a question only if you started the PRS session from the PRS software and selected the "No Lesson" option. If you already have questions in your PowerPoint presentation, you can't add more unless you exit "presentation" mode and edit your slides.

12. Can I move or delete the PRS toolbar when it gets in the way of my slides?

Deleting the PRS toolbar is not an option. Move the PRS toolbar around on the slide by mouse-clicking and holding on the bar itself and dragging. We suggest you allow about an inch of space at the top or each question slide when creating them.

13. Is there an easier way to keep track of clicker problems and who is using which clicker?

It can be easy if you train your students in advance. Bring a stack of sheets to each class with blank lines to fill in the necessary information such as "Your Name", "Original Clicker Number", "Borrowed Clicker Number" and then have them select "Problem Reason: Missing? Low Battery? Other (Describe)". Keep these on the corner of your lectern or some other location in class, and show the class where to find them. you'll only need to do this a few times for most students to remember.

14. Is there an easier way to give the students their points whenever they use a different clicker?

Yes, you can edit the Grandbook within the PRS software.

15. When a clicker fails, is there an improved way to fix the problem?

Place a question (e.g. "Clicker #1 if you are here") as the first slide of each lecture. Start this up before class begins and set the timer to end 30-to-60 seconds into class time. This gives students time to solve these problems at the start of class and encourages prompt attendance.

16. What do I do when the computer says "Clickers have joined with multiple ID's" in the middle of the session?

Hit "OK" and continue. This generally does not cause problems. A possible cause is that a student has turned their clicker off after joining, and then re-joined the class.

17. What should I do if the PRS clicker screen goes blank?

Hit a key to wake it up, or try turning it off and back on again. If it still doesn't work, please ask the student to get a spare clicker and let CTec know that clicker isn't working.

18. Why can't my PRS clicker find or join the class?

If all clickers can't join, then the PRS software may not have had a class started. If just one clicker, then the clicker may be malfunctioning. Turn it off, wait a second, and turn it on again. Be sure you have selected the proper channel, and press that button SLOWLY 2 times.

19. Why does it take so long for the PRS clicker to find the class?

To speed up the channel search, press the proper channel button. Look at the yellow bar on the screen, and find the letter or number between the pointy brackets (e.g. <D>) then press that key (e.g. "D") two or three times slowly. The clicker will find the class channel much more quickly this way.

20. If the classroom channel is ALWAYS the same number (or letter), why won't my clicker my PRS clicker join the class?

The channel sometimes changes in PRS classrooms. Please always check the yellow PRS toolbar on the screen to see which channel is listed (e.g. <4> or <B>).

21. Why does the PRS clicker say "Wait for Q"?

The student tried to send an answer but the PRS question had not been started by the instructor. Press the START button on the yellow PRS toolbar. If it still does not allow you to send an answer, turn clicker off and back on, then rejoin class and submit answer again.

22. How do I know the PRS software received the answer from the clicker?

The PRS clicker screen should show the answer that was typed, followed by "Received" on the next line. If not, try hitting the green "enter" arrow button to submit the answer.

23. Can a student change their answer once they enter it?

If the instructor set the PRS software to allow multiple tries per question, then yes. Just retype the answer and hit the green "enter" arrow again.

24. Are there any problems running multiple class sessions?

The current issues found (by Jane Caldwell) are:

The gradebook occasionally exports data that is a mixture of two classes- student names from one class have been found with Net ID's from the wrong class section. This data cannot be uploaded into the proper class in WebCT. There is no visible sign of problems until the exported file is examined. As well, manual edits to the Gradebook seem to be discarded when new data is imported. For example, manual edits to student data from September 24th are forgotten when data from September 26th is imported. These edits are a necessity- they are often used by instructors to compensate for missing clickers or use of the wrong clicker.

Work Arounds:

  • Create a Gradebook in PRS for each class immediately before importing data; consider this gradebook to be single-use only
  • Manipulate only the single course section associated with that Gradebook; do not touch data from other classes, even to Mark it
  • Import data into the Gradebook and make any edits immediately; do not touch data from other classes
  • make any manual edits to data immediately before export; if multiple sessions are included in the Gradebook, edit them only after all data has been loaded into the Gradebook
  • Export all data from the Gradebook immediately; do not touch other Gradebooks or classes
  • Delete each Gradebook after use

25. Is there any additional information, tips or hints that you suggest?

WVU's own Jane Caldwell has created a full PRS Research and Tips report as well as a Brief Overview version for the benefit of other instructors using reponse systems. Video tutorials have been created by CTec that are student-focused and may be helpful for students to view before PRS use. An article on classroom clickers was published by InsideHigherEd.com. Additional generalized training and documentation is available online from the manufacturer.

For ease of use, you should work with your WVU eCampus roster, or one with these columns: First Name, Last Name, MIX ID, and Clicker Number. Roster setup appears to be confusing many users. Common errors are:

  • Using MS Excel to open and save the "clicker ID file" from the CTec website - A good rule might be "look but don't touch" since MS Excel tries to interpret clicker identification codes (transmitter ID codes) as scientific notation, and then PRS doesn't recognize them.
  • Clicker numbers assigned to students need to be in a full 3 digit format (i.e. 001 thru 099), or PRS won't recognize them during a file merge.
  • If the user wants to export data for WVU eCampus, the eCampus-ID needs to be part of the roster. Match up the following fields:

    WVU eCampus (or English)
    MEANING OF TERM    		 PRS ROSTER FIELD
    User ID Net ID
    Clicker number Student ID
    WVU Student ID (not in eCampus) Not used (but you *could* put it in Net ID, I suppose)

  • From one class to the next, the "Receiver ID code" (displayed on the screen between pointy brackets <> when a PRS session is running) may change. Students need to know and spot this. Example: <C> means receiver code is "C". For the student to speed up "joining the class", the student should press the receiver code button twice. In the previous example, hit the C button twice. They should do this fairly SLOWLY with a pause in between, and wait until the message "Searching for class" appears.
  • Students should NOT turn off clickers during a class session. They can re-join, but this takes time
  • Students SHOULD turn off clickers between classes. They need to join the new class, or else their clicker will still be joined to the last class.
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Updated September 15, 2008