What is a Classroom Response System (CRS)?

Classroom Response Systems were invented in the late 1980's as a way to increase student participation in class. A CRS is a small network (radio frequency, infrared, or wired) for an individual classroom. It is comprised of three, sometimes four elements: A computer with a projection device, student transmitter units, a receiver unit, and sometimes an instructor unit. The computer runs a software package that processes and displays the student feedback as it comes into the receiver. Students use this system to give immediate feedback to questions posed by the instructor.

Classroom Response Systems use grew slowly through the early 1990s. However, the widespread use of presentation software and projectors in classrooms in the late 1990's created an environment for their increased use. Today's Classroom Response Systems offer the advantages of Radio Frequency (RF) technology, such as faster transmission of answers, two-way communication between the instructor receiver and student remote, and greater portability.

WileyCLICKS! program supports both Radio Frequency (RF) and Infrared (IR) solutions--and provides both hardware and/or text-specific content for many of today's leading Classroom Response Systems.

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How do I order a Classroom Response System in the WileyCLICKS! program?

• Hardware: For schools that are looking to implement a classroom response system, we provide hardware by selling clickers packaged with our textbooks; fill out our online form to request hardware.
• Content: For schools that already have a system in place, we make text-specific content available at no additional cost, and formatted to work with many of the leading systems available today; simply download content from the book companion site for your Wiley text online at http://www.wiley.com/college/authorlastname.

Contact your Wiley representative for details: http://www.wiley.com/college/rep

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How is the Classroom Response System used in class?

Because the system recognizes the individual IDs of each student response unit, it can be used for assessment (true/false, multiple choice), polling, and game show-like contests. In higher education classroom response systems are used to:

• Take attendance, give and grade objective pop quizzes.
Stimulate class discussion with subjective and objective questions using ad hoc or formal question authoring built into the system.
• Manage students' grades with the software grade book.

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WileyCLICKS! supports different types of classroom response systems, built on Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF) technology. What's the difference?

RF
Until recently, Infrared (IR) technology was the only option available for Classroom Response Systems, but the development of Radio Frequency (RF) solutions--available now--can provide the following advantages:

• Greater Portability--A simple USB connection is all you need.
• Only one receiver is required, regardless of class size.
• Faster transmission of answers.
• Stronger reception (5x greater range) alleviates the need to aim clicker at receiver.
• Two-way communication between the clicker and receiver, with instant feedback to show students their response was successfully transmitted.

IR
Infrared solutions can provide the following advantages:

• A lower-priced option for your students.
• No sensitivity to "other" Wireless Network equipment.
• A "time-tested" clicker solution.

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Are classroom response systems effective in teaching?

Yes. Numerous studies have shown that classroom response systems are effective in engaging students in the classroom, especially in larger classes. To find out more about who is using classroom response systems, visit http://gtcocalcomp.com/prs_who.htm. Active participation means that students are listening and responding to facts and information. The "clicker" creates a learning hook, which the student is able to store information on.

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Where can I find FAQ or Technical Specifications for each WileyCLICKS! Classroom Response System?

• Interwrite PRS GTCO (CalComp): Radio Frequency (RF) Technical Specifications:
  http://www.interwriteprs.com/interwriteprsrf_specs.htm
• Interwrite PRS GTCO (CalComp) Infrared (IR) Technical Support:
  http://www.interwriteprs.com/supportprsfaqs.htm
• iClicker Radio Frequency (RF) Technical Specifications:
  Hardware: http://www.iclicker.com/hardware/hardware.html
  Software: http://www.iclicker.com/software/software.html

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Where can I learn more about the effective use of these systems?

"An Overview of Teaching and Learning Research with Classroom Communication Systems."
Abrahamson, A. Louis, paper presented at the International Conference of the Teaching of Mathematics, Village of Pythagorion, Samos, Greece, Conference Proceedings by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., June 3-6, 1998.

"Student Response Systems: Interactivity in the Classroom Environment"
Horowitz, Harold M. Ph.D., IBM Learning Research 1988

"An Overview of Electronic Response Systems"
The Foundation Coalition

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How do I learn how to use a WileyCLICKS! solution in my classroom?

Visit the Faculty Resource Network website to sign up for virtual training sessions that focus on implementing Classroom Response Systems in classrooms:
http://www.wherefacultyconnect.com

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