Quick Links

Learning Technology Unit

PRS Software & Documentation
TIP: Select the version 3.03 download for maximum compatibility.

Audio Visual Unit Equipment Booking page

Projects

Pilot Project
AY 2003/04

Presentation by
Professor Jim Boyle
on 16/01/04

Presentation by
Dr Mary Masson
on 04/06/04

Presentation by
Dr Ian Stansfield
on 29/06/04

Presentation by
Phil Marston
on 08/09/04

Examples

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology:
Centre for Enhanced Learning and Teaching
TIP: To have a look at Prof Cue's presentation on the benefits of PRS click "Play overview".

University of Glasgow
Interactive Lectures Interest Group
TIP: An excellent selection of resources and information.

University of Strathclyde:
Centre for Academic Practice
TIP: A presentation entitled "Teaching in the Interactive Classroom".
TIP: Also see the workshop presentation
"Using Classroom Communication Systems with large classes"

Tufts University:
Centre for Academic Excellence
TIP: "Immediate Electronic Feedback on Teaching".

LTSN for Economics: Case Studies
TIP: "The use of a Personal Response System" by Dr. Caroline Elliott of Lancaster University.

Harvard University:
Project Galileo
TIP: Requires registration or just select tour site (on right).

Technology

EduServe International Ltd
(Hong Kong Distributor for PRS)

GTCO CalComp
(US Distributor for PRS)

Qwizdom UK
(UK Distributor for the Qwizdom System)

Brahler-ICS
(Manufacturers of the Digivote system)

IML Ltd
(Manufacturers of the Communicator interactive conferencing system)

Better Education Inc
(List of publications)

Resources

Using Personal Response Systems (PRS) to introduce interactivity to your lectures and tutorials.

Introduction · Projects · Examples · Technology · Resources

New technology as demonstrated in the "Ask the audience" option of "Who want's to be a Millionaire?" now allows the lecturer to engage in a form of conversation with very large numbers of students simultaneously. Indeed, research and practice has shown this form of interactive lecturing to be so successful in certain types of lecture that it is being taken very seriously by Higher Education Institutes around the world.

While most universities in Scotland are using some sort of system in some lectures, with some courses, some departments are using audience participation systems all the time. Support is also coming from publishers who are now including materials written for audience participation with their main textbooks.

Having successfully piloted the use of a popular audience participation system during AY2003/04, the University of Aberdeen now has a system available for use by any member of staff in any lecture theatre. In common with the majority of Scottish universities, the system the University of Aberdeen has opted to use is called PRS (Personal Response System) by GTCO Calcomp (who bought it from EDUCUE in 2004). The hardware is managed by the Audio Visual Unit and can be booked from their website in the same way as any AV equipment.

If you wish to make use of the PRS, User Services have developed this simple step plan.

1. Familiarize yourself with the pedagogic use of audience participation systems

   There are a number of links to resources on this page.
   The LTU has a DVD showing PRS in use at Glasgow University.
   Dr Steve Draper of Glasgow University provides a particularly informative page here.

2. Download, install and familiarize yourself with the software

   The software and documentation for PRS is available for download from the PRS pages on the Centre for Learning and Teaching website

3. Book the equipment

   The equipment is compatible* with all the PCs found in the lecture theatre lecterns (Including Foresterhill, Hilton, Marischal and Old Aberdeen).
   *You should book the equipment from Audio Visual as soon as possible so that they can ensure the equipment works with the room you require.

4. Trial it's use

   It is important and sensible to try to use both the software and equipment under non-critical conditions when you are first getting to know it.
   Many lecturers will try the equipment for the first time during a revision lecture where they feel it might be helpful, but not critical. Understanding point 1 above can help in making this decision.
   As the system becomes more widely used you may well find your students are already comfortable and experienced using it.

5. Enjoy the benefits

   Many users report distinctly noticeable changes in the alertness and engagement of their students;

   "there was an audible BUZZ in lecturers and when you listened closely to what they were talking about, it was actually the lecture material, not last nights telly!".

   Others have cited a qualitatively noticeable difference in the standard of understanding demonstrated in course work.
   Students themselves have mentioned that lectures were more interesting to attend, even fun and this has been observed by lectures noticing improved attendance.
   We hope you too enjoy these benefits of using audience participation and PRS.

For additional and comprehensive information, see the sections and visit the links on the rest of this page.

If you're interested in using PRS, but would still like to discuss it with someone, please feel free to contact either Phil at the LTU for Old Aberdeen and Hilton Campuses at p.marston@abdn.ac.uk or on 01224 27 3329 or Robin at MediCAL for Foresterhill at r.ford@abdn.ac.uk or on F53669

Projects   back to top

Examples   back to top

Technology   back to top

Resources   back to top

For other perspectives on Socratic method and exercising student's conceptual understanding, see this interview with Eric Mazur, Professor of Physics at Harvard University and the comprehensive research on the subject by Dick Hake, Emeritus Professor of Physics, Indiana University.

References:

Abrahamson, A. L. (1999) "Teaching with a Classroom Communication System - What it Involves and Why it Works," Mini-Course presented at the VII Taller Internacional "Nuevas Tendencias en la Ensenanza de la Fisica", Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico, May 27-30, 1999. [http://www.bedu.com/Publications/PueblaFinal2.html]
This is one of a range of papers on the subject that can be found here http://ase.tufts.edu/cae/occasional_papers/e-feedback.htm

Dr. Caroline Elliott of Lancaster University provides a mini case study of "The use of a Personal Response System" on the LTSN for Economics website