What+are+they?



Audience response systems come in several shapes and forms. Basically they are small hand-held devices that look like a calculator or a cell phone. Students use these to select an answer. A bit of history: Started in Hollywood to evaluate audience response to an unreleased movie or television show or commercials (manufacturer was Audience Studies Institute of Hollywood, CA).

__ Hardware Needed: __

Computer with USB port* Data Transmission Receiver (wireless) Response Devices (clickers)


 * Various systems do not require a computer or receiver for polling and data collection. Some systems have the receiver built right in! (i.e. Turning Point's Anywhere SRS)

__**Software Needed:**__

Presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint (TM) or Apple Inc's Keynote (TM). Turning Point Software provided by the manufacturer

**__Manufacturers of Audience Response Systems__** 

Turning Technologies www.turningtechnologies.com Audience Response Systems, Inc. www.audienceresponse.com Option Technologies Interactive www.optiontechnologies.com IML www.imlaudienceresponse.com Padgett Communication www.pcipro.com SMARTtm [|www.smarttech.com]

This is NOT an exhaustive list, just a starting point if you want to research different types of systems.

__**Different Types **__ __Infrared (IR__) - the oldest technology, well suited for small groups. this is the same as a television remote control. The disadvantage is that it requires a direct line of sight to the receiver in order for the answer to be recorded. There can also be problems when too many signals arrive at the receiver at the same time.

__Radio Frequency (RF)__ - good for large groups. Responders do not need to have a direct line of sight to the receiver.

__Internet__ - Students need to have their own computer (could be notebooks or PDAs) connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Participants log in to the server, see the questions and respond.

__Cell Phone__ - Uses SMS (short message service or silent messaging service) responses and displays them on a web page. This does not require the response device, but students would need a cell phone with a web browser. Not typically used in schools.