InterWrite PRS™ Frequent Questions

How do I get support in the UK?

If you purchased your InterWrite PRS™ system from Banxia Software, then we will provide you with first-level support to make sure that your system is working. If you have specific issues with the software, then you should visit the Interwrite support forums where you can talk to their developers and primary support staff. Further details are available via the support page.

Who are Banxia Software?

Banxia Software Ltd is an authorised reseller of the GTCO CalComp InterWrite PRS™ system. We have been in business selling decision support and meeting tools since 1994, and can provide you with the pre-sales and after sales support that you require.

What is the technology used for signal transmission?

PRS uses infrared technology similar to a TV remote. The transmitters ("clickers") operate at a range of up to 60 ft. from the receivers. It has proven to be very reliable and operates on a “line of sight” so it will not interfere with radio frequency equipment or other systems in adjacent rooms.

How many students (transmitters) can participate in a session?

There is no known technical upper limit to the number of transmitters ( "clickers") that can be used. Limiting factors may apply more to practical teaching limits. Several of our customers have 400 to 500 seat lecture halls fully equipped with PRS transmitters and they are regularly used to full capacity.

How many receivers do I need?

There is no hard and fast rule but we recommend one receiver for about every 40 transmitters ( "clickers").

Why do I need multiple receivers in larger classrooms?

A receiver can accept only one signal at a time. When it receives a signal, it will not accept another for approximately one tenth of a second. Multiple receivers reduce this signal jamming and allows the input from more transmitters ( "clickers") be received in a short amount of time.

Are there recurring registration charges for students?

No, the transmitters ( "clickers") are owned. No online fees or registration fees are assessed.

Can the students see each other’s answers?

The PRS software allows you to choose whether or not the answers will show in the screen grid boxes. Most teachers prefer not to show the answers in order to encourage student participation in a non-threatening manner.

How are the results reviewed with the class?

At the completion of a question (the question period is stopped or the time runs out) a histogram will appear that gives the results of student responses. The instructor can also choose to display the correct answer if so desired. This is a great opportunity for discussion with the class and to determine whether more review on a subject is needed.

How do I review the results after class?

InterWrite PRS software has a “Review Session” feature that allows you to see the results of a session on both an aggregate class basis or the results of individual students. In addition, the student responses are saved in a comma delimited format (.csv) which allows the data to be imported into a variety of other applications including Notepad, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word.

What types of questions can I use? Are there any limitations?

The transmitters ( "clickers") have keys that include alpha numeric values. (i.e. 1A, 2B, 3C, 4D, 5E, 6F, 7G, 8H, 9I, 0J) Additionally, “High” confidence and “Low” confidence keys are also provided to allow students the ability to indicate their level of confidence with their responses.

Multiple choice options are therefore limited to 10 choices (each question can be configured from two to 10 individually). Numeric mode questions are also supported, allowing a numeric value to be recorded.

What are the minimum system requirements?

For the Windows environment:
	Microsoft Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP, or NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6 or later
	450 MHz or faster processor
	Internet Explorer 5.01 or greater
	256 MB RAM
	200 MB hard disk space is required
	CD-ROM drive (for installation)
	SVGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with minimum of 16-bit color
	Available Serial port (for connection of PRS Receiver)
	Microsoft Office 2000, XP or 2003 (for PowerPoint Integration)
	Recommended system is Windows XP on a computer with a Pentium 4 processor, 256 MB RAM and 1024x768 resolution monitor with 32-bit color

For the Macintosh environment:
	OS X 10.3
	400 MHz or faster processor
	256 MB RAM
	200 MB hard disk space is required
	CD-ROM drive (for installation)
	SVGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with minimum of 16-bit color
	USB to Serial Adapter (for connection of PRS Receiver)
	Recommended system is OS X 10.3 on a computer with a G4 867Mhz processor, 384 MB RAM and 1024x768 resolution monitor with 32-bit color

Where can I get the Keyspan USB to Serial drivers?

You can get the drivers from the Keyspan download pages if you do not have the CD.

What batteries does the transmitter ("clicker") use and how long do they last?

A PRS transmitter uses two AAA batteries (one set of batteries is included with the purchase). The transmitter automatically shuts off after 15 minutes of inactivity, to help conserve the batteries. With fairly frequent classroom use, we find the batteries last about a year.

Does the transmitter ("clicker") have a built-in code so that students could have the same ID for all of their classes?

The most commonly used transmitter has a Fixed ID (6 digit). This can be assigned to individual students and responses recorded as such. There is also a Programmable ID version of the PRS transmitter that requires the school to ensure they are unique in a class and no duplication of numbers.

How are the receivers powered?

An AC power adapter is included with a primary receiver pack. Our standard AC adapter can power up to four receivers in a chain. We also offer a heavy duty power supply that can power up to 12 receivers in a chain.

How are the receivers connected to the computer?

The primary receiver set includes a three-way cable that connects to the serial port of the computer. If the computer does not have a serial port, a serial-to-USB adapter can be used and is available at an additional cost.

How are the receivers connected together?

The receivers are daisy chained in series with each other. Each receiver has an “in” and an “out” connection. The “out” connects to the computer or another receiver in the chain. The “in” is connected to the “out” of a receiver or left empty if it is the end of the line or the only receiver.

How are the receivers fastened?

There are several ways to do this. Each receiver has a threaded connection on the side that accepts a ¼” x 20 machine screw. GTCO CalComp sells an adjustable mounting bracket (see accessories page). The receiver is very light (about 4.5 oz.) and some have reported using self adhesive tape or Velcro.

Where should I place the receiver in a large classroom?

The receivers should be placed so that a given transmitter ( "clicker") signal is detected by only one receiver for efficient use of the PRS equipment. This can be accomplished by placement in separate locations in the room. In large lecture halls the receivers are often located in the ceiling or along the side walls. There are several ways to do this. Each receiver has a threaded connection on the side that accepts a ¼” x 20 machine screw. GTCO CalComp sells an adjustable mounting bracket (see accessories page). The receiver is very light (about 4.5 oz.) and some have reported using self adhesive tape or Velcro.

Receiver placement considerations include:
	Make sure height is sufficient to avoid any obstructions of the signal (e.g. the presenter, podium, etc.)
	Adjacent receivers should be kept 20-36 feet apart.
	In a tiered room, receivers on the side should be place higher than the ones toward the front of the room  so that people in the back of the room are pointing at a slightly upward angle.

When should I use the wireless transceivers to connect PRS?

The wireless transceivers are best used where the location of the computer relative to the receivers makes the installation either complicated or expensive. It allows the connection of the computer and one or more groups of receivers to be accomplished without cables. Some customers have reported that the wireless systems are a significant cost savings when it is necessary to hire a contractor or pay the Physical Plant staff to run receiver cables.

What are the software license restrictions?

When PRS is purchased, the software is site licensed to the institution purchasing it for use with the PRS hardware. This means that any number of copies may be made for computers owned by the institution on which PRS hardware will be used. Copies may also be made for personally owned computers used for class preparation or teaching at the purchasing institution.

How can I upgrade my PRS software?

Existing users can download the latest software at: http://www.gtcocalcomp.com/supportprs.htm

How can I use my Microsoft® PowerPoint files with PRS?

InterWrite PRS software is an independent application that operates on Windows or Macintosh OSX platforms and can easily import graphics for PRS generated questions. For Windows users, a Microsoft® PowerPoint Add-In is also provided. This PRS Add-In allows any Microsoft® PowerPoint slide to become a PRS question slide for quizzing and polling.

Can questions and student responses and grades easily be exported to a data file for use in Microsoft® Excel or student management systems such as WebCT and BlackBoard? 

Data is saved in a simple ASCII comma delimited file format (.CSV) that can be easily read as an Excel data file or imported into other grade book programs. Questions are saved in an XML format to support a standards-based approach. 

How do I create questions using PRS? 

Questions can be easily created through several methods. A simple question authoring tool is included in the InterWrite PRS package. Also included is a PowerPoint add-in module that allows you to quickly and easily turn any Microsoft® PowerPoint slide into a PRS question slide. An XML import capability is also included which allows prepared questions, responses and correct answers provided by book publishers to be quickly imported into your Lesson. Questions may also be created “on-the-spot” during your class time with InterWrite PRS. 

Can I import graphics into my questions? 

Yes, the PRS software supports standard graphic formats such as .jpeg, .png and .gif.

Can a question be created "on the fly" during a class? 

Questions may be created “on-the-fly” during a session by using the Add Question function. This activates the PRS Question Authoring tool where you can type in your question. You can also utilize pen-based tools, such as the InterWrite SchoolPad, to create freehand questions in the graphic window section of the Authoring tool.

Can the results of a question be displayed “on the spot”? 

The software allows you to set each question to show a graph of the immediate audience responses compared to the correct answer, or mask the correct answer until all of the questions have been presented. InterWrite PRS can be run in a No Lesson mode, where the questions are in a separate application, or even written separately, such as on a blackboard.

How does a student tell if their response to a question has been received? Can the students change their responses?

InterWrite PRS uses a response map, displayed by a projector that acknowledges when a response has been received by changing colors. The projected image from InterWrite PRS will display a “grid”, or response map, which can include items such as the students name, nickname or unique transmitter ("clicker") ID based on preference settings. The response map is shown when a question is displayed and can either be a rolling response map, where it fills up and overwrites, or it can be set up to provide a specific location on the screen a student would look for their responses. Response maps can be any size.

InterWrite PRS includes a chances option on each question, which allows students to change their responses on these questions. The settings value can be set from 1 to 99, based on instructor preferences. Only the last response is counted. The number of times a student responded is also tracked in the session.

Does the InterWrite PRS software have a “summary” feature that allows the instructor to immediately display the results for a particular question (e.g., as a histogram) for class discussion? 

Yes, responses can be displayed in a graph format allowing the instructor to visually see the distribution of responses. A “% Correct” value is also provided for each question providing further information to the instructor. The correct answer can be toggled on/off supporting the instructor’s teaching methods. At the end of the question, the instructor can click to see the detail on whom responded and their specific response in a table fashion.

InterWrite PRS also includes an instructor window, which if a dual display environment is used, the instructor can see the responses for a question as students are responding. This allows the instructor to pause and provide any additional information if desired.

Is the InterWrite PRS software/hardware that drives the system compatible with other transmitters ("clickers")/receivers? Other software applications?

InterWrite PRS software is proprietary and operates only with the InterWrite PRS hardware at this time. As such, the InterWrite PRS software is provided at no additional charge for InterWrite PRS hardware users. PRS uses XML and .csv files to provide a very broad standards-based approach.

InterWrite PRS hardware is supported by other companies, including but not limited to, Turning Technologies, RxShow and AllPlay. GTCO CalComp actually publishes a PRS API that allows any software developer to work with our hardware.

What technical support is available for Interwrite PRS?

Live phone support is available at 1-800-344-4723 (MD) or 1-800-856-0732 (AZ). You may also submit your question through our Internet site at http://www.gtcocalcomp.com/supportprs.htm. In addition, our support site provides you with a Users’ Forum where you can discuss your PRS questions and issues with fellow PRS users, training videos and the Interwrite PRS User’s Guide.