PRS at the University of Rochester

Frank L. H. Wolfs, Department of Physics and Astronomy

On this page I have compiled a number of usefull tools and links related to the use of the Personal Response System (PRS) at the University of Rochester. My first experience with the use of this system occured in Physics 121 (Spring 2004), an although I have used the PRS system in many different ways since then, I certainly did not use every possible mode of operation.

In Summer 2007 the original PRS transmitters, based on infrared technology, were replaced with transmitters that use radiofrequency (rf) technology. The RF transmitters were used for the first time in Fall 2006 in Physics 141 and almost all of the problems associated with the use of the infrared transmitters have been resolved with the introduction of the rf transmitters.

The biggest changes the instructor will see are:

• The students will see on their LCD display that their answers was accepted (there is thus no longer a need to display the names of the students on the screen in order to ensure they receive confirmation that their answer was accepted by the computer.)
• The students will program their student ID number into their transmitter. It is send as part of the answer when the students transmit their answer. There is thus no need for the instructor to collect students IDs and match these to the serial numbers of the transmitters.

The PRS units will be distributed by the bookstore, and the net cost to the students is $ 10 (a $ 35 deposit is required at the time the students pick up the units). To read the details of the agreement with the bookstore, click here.

Usefull links:

• Interwrite Learning: manufacturer of the RF PRS system.
• Software: the software for the PRS system is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X. The required software is installed on the computers in the classrooms where we have installed PRS receivers (Hoyt, Hubbel, Dewey, and B&L 106) but if you want to analyze the data collected while you use the PRS system, you should also install the software on your office computer.
• Software (Version 4.42.0010): the software for the PRS system is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X. The required software is installed on the computers in the classrooms where we have installed PRS receivers (Hoyt, Hubbel, Dewey, and B&L 106) but if you want to analyze the data collected while you use the PRS system, you should also install the software on your office computer.
  • The following links allow you to download installers for Windows and Mac which you can use to install the software on your own computer (note: these links are password protected). The current version of the software is 4.42.0010:
    • Download software for Windows (72.0 MB)
    • Download software for Mac OS X (74.2 MB)
    • Download software for Linux (73.1 MB)
• Documentation for version 4.40.0004:
  • Release notes
  • Help
  • System requirements in pdf format
  • PRS User Manual
  • PRS RF Transmitter Manual
  • How To (pdf format):
    • How To Configure an RF Clicker
    • How To Create and Manage a PRS Roster
    • How To Profile a Class
    • How To Use Blackboard with PRS
    • How To Use Homework Mode
    • How To Use PRS with a USB Drive
    • How To Use Self Paced Mode for Testing
    • How To Use Your RF Clicker
    • How To Use the PRS Gradebook
• Presentations:
  • Presentation at the CTLTR meeting on October 14, 2004.
  • Graduate Research Seminar in the Department of Physics and Astronomy on October 29, 2004.
  • PRS Demonstration on July 13, 2005.
  • Presentation at the Institute of Optics on December 15, 2005.
• Typical use of the PRS system:
  • When entering the class room, reboot the machine! This may not be required, it works better if the PC is running with its default settings.
  • Plug your USB drive into the computers USB slot (on the front).
  • Start the PRS software (using the START menu on the PC)
  • From the PRS menu select "Preferences" to define the location of your data files.
  • The box after "Data Directory" shows the location of the data files that PRS is using. Click on the "Browse..." button after the "Data Directory" text book to select the location of your data files on your USB drive.
  • Press OK to accept the new location.
  • If you have not defined a class yet, you should do so now. My Physics 141 classes are named as follows: phy141f06 is phy 141 taught in Fall 06. To define a new class you select the "Classes" tab in the main window and click on the "New Class" button. A new window will open, allowing you to define properties of the class (e.g. do you show a class roster, the type of clickers being used, etc.) Once your class is defined, you do not need to redefine it again in future sessions.
  • You are now ready to start a new PRS session by clicking on the "New Session" button. The pop-up window allows you to change the session settings.
  • When you are done, select "End Session". Your session data will now be written to the USB drive.

Last updated on Thursday, August 28, 2008 11:43