If you are an instructor planning to use Turning Technologies clickers this semester in your classes, the following is a memo sent out from the Center for Teaching and Learning with several helpful tips and reminders.  Beth Woods, our instructional technologist, is available to answer questions or provide support and schedule training opportunities.  Please feel free to submit a help desk ticket or contact Beth directly for assistance.

From the Center for Teaching and Learning:

Hello all,

As we begin the spring semester, we wanted to touch base with few notes and reminders for those planning to use Turning Technologies clickers.

• Channels: Please use your assigned clicker channel, not the default channel, unless you are teaching in a room with a dedicated channel for the room (such as in the MLC). This prevents crossover data from nearby classrooms. If you cannot remember your channel, or you are not sure about dedicated room channels, e-mail clickers@uga.edu and we will help.
• Clicker Support: Noreen Alabi and Kristy McGee will be interning with CTL again this semester, and they are happy to assist you as you prepare to use clickers, in class on the first day you use clickers (if possible), and as you review the data or transfer it to eLC. To set up an appointment with them, e-mail clickers@uga.edu.
• Clicker Rebates for Students: I just learned from our representative at Turning Technologies that they will be offering a rebate for new clickers again this term. Instead of a coupon in the clicker box, the rebate form is online. Please see http://www.ctl.uga.edu/sites/default/files/Spring2012ClickerRebate.pdf for information, and feel free to post it in your eLC course if you like.
• Cautions about ResponseWare: If you would like to allow your students to use ResponseWare (for their smart phones or web browsers) instead of purchasing a clicker, please be aware that some faculty do not allow ResponseWare and require that students purchase a clicker. Also, students who use ResponseWare do not have to be in class to answer questions! They can answer from anywhere if they are logged in while you are asking questions. If you are still interested in allowing the ResponseWare option, please contact sac@uga.edu for an account.
• Syllabus Info: Please include specific information about clicker use in your syllabus. The supported clicker is called the Turning Technologies ResponseCard NXT. Other clickers may not work with our system. If clicker use is graded, then you might consider dropping x-number of the lowest grades to cover issues such as dead batteries, lost clicker, forgotten clicker, etc. It is also a good idea to include a statement regarding academic honesty and the consequences of holding more than one clicker, having clicker data show up for a class where the student was not physically present, etc. Perhaps some of you have statements you would like to share? Please send to the list!
• Training: We have not scheduled any formal training at this time, but we can arrange workshops or a user group discussion if there is demand. Let us know with an e-mail to clickers@uga.edu.
• Loaner Sets: CTL has several sets of loaner clickers available if you are interested in using clickers for just a couple of class periods during the term. Call 2-1582 for availability information.
• Resources: Please visit http://ctl.uga.edu/clickers for tutorials and other information about using the Turning Technologies clickers at UGA. Also, if you are looking for ideas about creating effective clicker questions, several of our faculty have published articles on the topic. Jennifer Kaplan’s article, “Innovative Activities: How Clickers can Facilitate the Use of Simulations in Large Lecture Classes,” is available online at http://escholarship.org/uc/item/1jg0274b. Peggy Brickman’s article, “The Case of the Druid Dracula,” is available at http://www.peggybrickman.uga.edu/pdfs/BrickmanJCSTDruidDracula%20copy.pdf. I encourage you to read these articles and also to share your strategies with the list.

We hope you have a great semester!
Sherry, Noreen, and Kristy