Quick facts on TurningPoint

-The software is free as a download from the Turning Technologies website, which allows the user to prepare questions in a PowerPoint presentation.

-The cost of the basic keypad is about $45-$50.

-Once the keypad is purchased and registered it can be used in any class.

Pat McCallister uses TurningPoint software in her classroom.

“I think TurningPoint is a wonderful idea in that we can get instant feedback from students,” McCallister, a professor in the family and consumer sciences said. “Students can also get instant feedback and of course we are in an instant society and that’s the way we all think.”

TurningPoint is an audience response system. The software can poll students using an interactive Powerpoint presentation and get immediate feedback. The software shows results to teachers to find out whether or not students understand the content being covered, and it’s useful when dealing with sensitive subjects that students might not feel comfortable discussing.

On February 8, the Academic Instructional Technology Support Subcommittee (ATISS) brought forward a recommendation to establish TuringPoint as the audience response system of choice for Eastern.

“ATAC officially approved the recommendation on February 8,” said Jeffery Stowell, chair of Academic Technology and Instructional Support Subcommittee, “We are still exploring ways to implement the recommendations by Fall 2008.”

Eastern has used for this system for the past four years. It is used in classes, meetings, polling situations, orientation, and training workshops. It is available on both Apple Macs and Windows PC.

Michael Hoadley, assistant vice-president for academic affairs for technology, said some people refer to the system as the “clicker technology” and not every class will be required to use the software.

“Rather than make it a campus-wide requirement for all students, its required use will be determined by faculty on a class-by-class basis,” said Hoadley.

Director of Orientation, Kimberlee Moock, believes this software is beneficial to the orientation department.

“It allows us to collect data from sessions during freshmen orientation,” said Moock. “It introduces them to technology they will use in the classroom and allows families to know what their student is using in the classroom.”

ATISS explored letting students rent the keypads from Textbook rental.

However, Textbook rental is offered only for textbooks and not pieces of hardware.

The plan is to distribute a survey to the faculty before the spring semester ends to find out how many faculty members will require the use of this software during Fall 2008. Following the survey, a list will be published so students know whether they need to purchase the keypad or not.

Classes that use this software tend to use PowerPoint, so it is easy for faculty to get immediate feedback from students. Professors also, tend to use this software for responses from quizzes.

“This will also benefit instructors who will have a more efficient, timely, and accurate measure of what students are thinking,” Stowell said.

Discussions are underway with Mitch Coe, Manager of the Eastern Bookstore, to find a way to set-up purchases of the keypad, Hoadley said.

With any pioneer software, it has its benefits and disadvantages.

Hoadley said it does take time to learn how to use TuringPoint and there are many advanced features. The University may encounter additional cost to install receivers in the classroom and to provide training on how to use the systems.

Despite the learning curve, professors believe it beneficial to their classes.

“In the classroom it’s a wonderful tool,” said McCallister. “The problem is making sure all controls are working ok, and that the system is up and working on the computer, but these are all linguists, and when your pioneers it takes time to work out.”

Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7942 or at bmgarcia@eiu.edu.