Using Turning Technology in your class

Setting up your classroom / laptop

• The current version of TurningPoint is 2008.
• In order to use TurningPoint 2008, you must have Office 2007 installed on your computer.
  • Refer to installation instructions for Office 2007.
• Before installing TurningPoint 2008 you should uninstall TurningPoint 2006.
• Make sure you have TurningPoint 2008 set up on the computer you will be using in class.
  • The latest version of TT software can be downloaded directly. Download TurningPoint 2008 for Windows | Download TurningPoint for Mac | Download TurningPoint Anywhere for PC
  • Then click the set up icon and follow the installation steps.
  • If you already have the software installed and wish to upgrade, you will have to remove the old version first. [Control Panel ? remove program]
• The Turning Point software on the Instructor's console in your classroom will be set up as requested. [You need to inform the LTC early on the classroom you will use for the semester.]
• You will see a Turning Technology icon on the desktop.

• There should also be an USB extender cable for easy connection. Do not try to connect the receiver to the back of the computer. Reception may not be acceptable.
• If you need help with the classroom set up, contact Brett Cook (cookb@uww.edu) - with the classroom location information.

Clickers for Students

In order for the clicker activities to work, students need to have clickers and bring them to class.

• You should include the Clicker requirement in your syllabus and instruct your students to purchase them at the Bookstore during the first session of the class.
• Use the Clickers Start Module topic in your D2L course.
•  State very clearly that you expect them to bring their clicker to every class period.
• Impose a penalty to grades (no matter how small) if you can. The success of the system depends on their participation.
• Allow your students ample time to purchase the clicker.
• It is best to start serious Clicker activities after the last Add-day.
• Remind them to get the clicker registered.  
  [Refer to instructions on clicker registration & roster on a separate document]
• Clicker cost: Used clicker=$28, Brand new clicker~$36. Bookstore buyback at semester end~$21.00.
• Clickers can be used in multiple classes or multiple semesters.
• Please remind them that they need to treat the clicker with special care since it is much smaller than a text book.

Preparing for a session using Turning Point in the Classroom

• Make sure the desktop or laptop machine is turned on and properly connected to the network.
• If you carry your PPT files to the classroom in a Flash Drive, you will transfer the PPT files to the instructor storage first.
  
  
• Now connect your TT RF receiver to the USB extender cable of the classroom computer. You may have to remove your Flash Drive if the computer only has one USB port. We will try to provide two in the classroom for your convenience.
  
  Learn how to install the RF receiver in your classroom.
• Open Turning Point by double clicking on the Turning Point icon on the Desktop.
  
  

• Make sure you have selected Response Devices and the proper Participant list.
  
  
  [See instructions to get your participant list]
  
  
• The new version of TurningPoint is plug and play. You do not have to run the lightning bolt response device wizard.

• You may run a polling test to test your Student Response System
  
  Show me how to test my Student Response System.

• Click on the "Office" button and select "Open". Browse and select your TT/PPT file.
  
• Before you start your PPT session with Clickers activities, RESET your TT session using the Reset function on the TT tool bar.
  
  
  
  This helps clear any data from a previous session you may have saved.

• When you are presenting a TT slide, you may keep track of the activities such as the number of responses and the polls open/close status on the information bar at the top right screen.
  
  
• Click on the [i ] icon.  There are a number of useful functions you may use to control or reset your polled responses for the slide.
  
  
  The showbar can appear on all TT slides by setting the option at a presentation level.
  
  Show me how to expand the Information bar.

Ending Your Turning Technology Session

• At the end of the TT slide presentation, remember to save the session data.
  
  
• You may now select a drive and folder where you would like to save your session

• Close your PPT presentation. The system will ask you to save the PPT file you just used, then a blank PPT file in the background. You should respond NO to each.
• The system will also remind you to save the TT session file if you have not done so, respond "YES' if unsure. You do not want to lose your session data.
  
  REMEMBER TO REMOVE THE RF RECEIVER, and TAKE IT WITH YOU. DO NOT LEAVE IT IN THE CLASSROOM.
• If you need to copy the TT session file to your flash drive, you may do so after you remove the RF receiver from:
  C:\program files\Turning Technology\Sessions