Support Websites

Something often forgotten in building a support infrastructure for student response on campus is a support website. Often times a support team is one person on campus, so having a self-service resource to assist faculty, staff and students is a tremendous asset when support is unavailable. There are many ways to design a support website for your campus. Some of the most valuable suggestions include:

Branding of Site and E-mail

• Clickers @ XYX school is the best way to brand your website – it is easy to search for and remember.
• Similarly, an easy to remember e-mail address such as clickers@XYZschool.edu is a great way to have faculty reach you.

Training Page
Have a section on your website that directs faculty to training. The following information is recommended:

• Scheduled New User Trainings (Spring and Fall).
• Scheduled Refresher Trainings (Spring and Fall) – more of a Q&A meeting for faculty who have been using clickers and have some follow up questions.
• On average, training will take approximately 1 hour. Consider including a 30 minute buffer to allow for additional questions.
• Indicate the type of training provided – PowerPoint, Anywhere or Self-Paced Polling for Mac/PC.
• Indicate additional training availability during the academic year (this might be MWF 9-10:30 and TTH 1-2:30).

Having a link on the website that is directed to your e-mail or a Google document will make tracking training reservations quick and easy! If you choose to make a reservation form, you may want to consider requesting the following information:

• Are you Co-Teaching? With whom? *It is suggested that both faculty members attend training at the same time.
• Will you have a TA(s)? Names: *It is suggested that TA(s) attend training with their respective faculty.
• I am with IT Support

Finally, you will want to remind everyone that attends training to bring a laptop and USB drive.

Instructional Resources Page

Having a dedicated page for Instructional Resources is a great way to keep faculty in the loop.  Here you can provide them with links to Turning Technologies’ resources as well as some of your own campus specific resources. 

We all learn in different ways, so having video tutorials and written documentation is helpful. Listen to faculty questions and find ways of creating materials in “their language.” Through years of experience we have found a few best practice approaches to training:

• Before Class – This is the preparation time used to create lecture materials and participant lists prior to class.
• Class Time – During this time you will set up in the classroom, present the lecture, and save/close the TurningPoint session.
• After Class – This is the time devoted to reviewing the events of the lecture by viewing reports, grading and/or uploading grades.

Receiver Channel Number Page

Consider a page to include dedicated receiver channels for each room on campus using TurningPoint.

• It is recommended to have designated receiver channel numbers for your classrooms to avoid any possible interference with nearby rooms.
• Setting channel numbers at least 2 channels apart is recommended.
• Creating a table such as the one below will help you keep organized.  NOTE: If you do not have multiple campuses, you will not need the Campus column.

Student Resources

Have a page that answers common student questions. Below are some ideas on how to structure your Student Resource and FAQ page.

• How to Purchase a ResponseCard clicker or ResponseWare mobile license
• How to Set Up ResponseWare
• How to Register a clicker or ResponseWare Device ID
• Basic Troubleshooting tips for the clicker
• Basic Troubleshooting tips for ResponseWare
• A Support Form directed to a Clicker E-mail address
• Academic Honesty/Dishonesty Policy
• FAQ Page

• What type of clicker is used on campus?
• Can I use ResponseWare on campus?
• Where can I buy a ResponseCard clicker?
• Where can I buy a ResponseWare license?
• How much does a ResponseCard cost?
• How much does a ResponseWare license cost?
• What type of batteries do I need for my clicker?
• How do I use my clicker?
• How do I use ResponseWare?
• My clicker has a blank screen, what do I do?
• How do I change my answer?
• What is the bookstore’s policy for returns and buy backs?
• What is the Turning Technologies return policy?

Faculty Resources

Below are some additional resources that faculty find helpful when being introduced to clickers.

• Faculty Newsletter – Semester by Semester or Quarter by Quarter
• Hardware/Software Version Updates on campus (What’s currently being used)
• How do I get started using ResponseCard clickers in my classroom?

• Sign up for Training >> Training (Link faculty to your Training Page/Reservation Form)

• Download Software >> Software (Provide faculty with software versions supported on campus and how/where to download the software)

• Using ResponseWare? (Cell Phones/Laptops) Request Access >> ResponseWare(You may want to create a request form or link to your e-mail for ResponseWare Access requests)

• Order clickers through your Department or Bookstore >> Turning Technologies ResponseCard NXT clickers - ISBN # 978-1-934931-45-5

• Review Student Resources (Link to resources here so they are easily accessible)

• 1^st Day of Class – Getting Started Resources (New for Spring 2013 – Contact your Account Executive for more information)

• E-mail students 1-2 weeks before the start of the semester with information about student response
• Update Syllabus to include clicker information and resources
• Edit 1^st Day of Class PowerPoint to walk students through the basics about ResponseCard clickers and/or ResponseWare.

• Update Class Page (i.e. Blackboard, personal webpage, etc.) to include clicker information and resources

• What do I need to use TurningPoint in the classroom?

1. A computer with TurningPoint software installed
2. A projector (If your room does not have a projector, you will want to make arrangements to have one available in your classroom)
3. Your TurningPoint file(s) (Participant List, Question List, etc.)
4. A TurningPoint receiver >>Classroom Receivers (link to a page with receiver channel numbers, if applicable)
5. A PowerPoint file, if you use PowerPoint
6. ResponseWare access >> Request Access
7. Students using ResponseCard clickers and/or ResponseWare

• Syllabus Helper - Student Code of Conduct & Student Disciplinary Procedures

Your instructors, TAs and peers are watching. The misuse of clickers is a violation of school policy and punishable through a variety of sanctions, including expulsion.

Student Code of Conduct  (List/Link Academic Honesty/Dishonesty policy here)

• Syllabus Helper - What should I tell my students?

Required Course Materials: You will want to tell students that clickers are a required material for the course, just like a textbook.

Where to Purchase a ResponseCard clicker or ResponseWare license: Tell students where they can purchase their ResponseCard clicker and/or ResponseWare license. Purchases can also be made online through Turning Technologies at https://store.turningtechnologies.com. Students will need to enter their school code to view their school page.

Registering a ResponseCard: Tell students what method to use to register their clickers.

Clicker Expectations in the Classroom: Tell students when to bring clickers to class, if they will be used every session, and any other requirements you might have. Make these expectations clear at the beginning of the semester. Communicate to the students why you are using the technology, what you expect from it and how you plan to use it in class.

Classroom Clicker Policies: This should include areas such as attendance, academic dishonesty, grading, clicker malfunctions, etc. Make sure to include this information in your correspondence, syllabus and Blackboard course materials.

Clicker Support: You will want to provide your students with on campus and off campus support information. You will also want to remind them that clicker related points/grades need to be discussed with their TA or Instructor.

Need Help?

1. 1.       Support Email: clickers@XYZ.edu
2. 2.       Support Office Location and Availability: (include support office location and hours of operation)
3. 3.       In-Class Support (include campus telephone number here)
4. 4.       Turning Technologies Phone Support: 866-746-3015 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. EST
5. 5.       Turning Technologies E-mail Support: support@turningtechnologies.com