PRS RF System FAQs
What is PRS RF system?
For a brief overview of the Personal Response System (PRS) Radio Frequency (RF), visit the Interwrite PRS website.
Where can I get PRS RF software?
PRS RF software can be downloaded from the Interwrite web site for free. However, registration is required and the activation of your account may take up to 48 hours.
Where can I get PRS RF receiver and clicker?
Faculty who want to receive a free PRS RF receiver and clicker need to contact Chaohua Ou or call 404-385-4812.
Where do my students purchase clickers?
Contact the Georgia Tech bookstore (Barnes and Noble)(textbooks@bks.gatech.edu) and request PRS transmitters for student purchase. When you let the bookstore know that your course will require PRS RF, a shelf tag will be printed and placed alongside the textbooks to let students know that they need to buy a unit. Informing the bookstore helps ensure that enough transmitters are ordered.
Do I need to ask my students to register their RF clickers?
No. you do not need to ask your students to register their clickers online in order to get a class roster. A class roster is automatically created once students enter their student Id (either student’s 9-digit number or prism id (gtg531e, co43, e.g.) and join the class using their clicker. A direct association is immediately established between the student and the clicker. The automatically-created roster does not contain students' names. If you want to include their names in the roster, please download the instruction below to modify the roster:
How do I get started with PRS RF?
Four ways can hep you get started with using PRS RF system:
- You can download the user's guides available from the Interwrite Tech Support. They will be useful for reference.
- You can register for a free online training offered by Interwrite. Training sessions will last approximately one hour and cover how Interwrite PRS works, how to Set-Up a Class, how to Create a Lesson, Administering a Session, and how to use the Grade book.
- You can watch short video tutorials explaining various aspects of Interwrite PRS RF Software.
- If you need further assistance, contact chaohua.ou@cetl.gatech.edu or call Chaohua at 404-385-4812.
I want to run PRS on my flash drive. How should I do the setup?
If you don't want to use the classroom computer, we recommend downloading and running the program on your laptop because it is safe to save the data in your own computer. Running PRS from a flash drive might slow down file download. If you still prefer running the PRS program from a flash drive, please follow the instructions below to set it up:
Instructions on Running PRS from a Flash Drive
I use classroom computer, but I want to save my PRS data to a flash drive. How can I reset the data directory so that the computer remembers the setting?
We encourage you to use your own laptop to run PRS so that all the session data will be saved in your computer. Podium computers carry the risk of losing setting information, as they are designed for public use. However, if you prefer using a flash drive to save the data and want the settings to be remembered, you need to go through a few steps to set it up:
Instructions on Setting PRS Data Directory to a Flash Drive
Where do instructors using PRS at GT share their experiences and resources?
GT PRS Group is a project site where instructors using PRS share ideas and resources. If you are interested in joining the group, please log on to T-Square, select Membership on the left menu bar, click Joinable Sites, find the site named GT PRS Group, and click the link Join.
I have been using PRS IR system. Can I still continue using IR?
We strongly encourage all instructors to switch to PRS RF system by Fall semester 2007 so that student do not have to buy IR as well as RF clickers if they are enrolled in classes that use different systems.
Switching to the RF system does not mean you will have to learn a new software. The PRS software currently installed on classroom computers is dual RF/IR-compatible software. You will continue to use this software for either IR or RF system. What you need to do is to select the appropriate clicker type when you set up the class. You have three clicker types to choose under Class Type: IR, RF, IR and RF. When you select IR and RF, you must have both IR and RF receivers in your classroom. In this case, your students can use either IR or RF clickers.
For information on using PRS IR system, please visit PRS IR System.