Download the User’s Guides to help get you started with using your new Interwrite Virtual PRS software.

For Desktop Configurations

Virtual PRS for PC Users Guide
Virtual PRS Instructors Guide

For PDA Configurations

Virtual PRS for PDA Users Guide
Virtual PRS Instructors Guide

Windows

Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP only (for an RF receiver installation) Microsoft Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000, XP, or NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6 or later (for an IR Receiver installation) 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-Résolution monitor with minimum of 16-bit color Available USB Port for RF Receiver installation Available Serial Port for IR Receiver installation 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, 1024 x 768 Résolution monitor with 32-bit color

Macintosh

OS X 10.3.9 or greater Java 1.4.1 or greater 400 MHz or faster processor 256 MB RAM 200 mB hard disk space is required CD-ROM (for installation) SVGA (800 x 600) or higher Résolution monitor with minimum of 16-bit color Available USB Port for RF Receiver installation USB to Serial Adapter for IR Receiver Installation Recommended system is OS X 10.4 on a computer with a G4 867MHz processor, 384 MB RAM et 1024 x 768 Résolution monitor with 32-bit color

Operating System Support	Windows, Mac et Linux
Question Types Supported	Multiple Choice (including multiple correct), True/False, Answer Series, Numeric (including positive/negative, decimal point et fractions), Short Answer
Modes	Live Polling, Self-Paced, Homework (offline)
PowerPoint Integration	Yes (Windows et Mac environments)
Question Authoring Tool	Yes (can also import questions from book publishers)
Confidence Levels	High/Low Confidence
Software License	Included with PRS purchase. No recurring fees.
Reporting Capabilities	A variety of reports can be produced, including: attendance, results for a single session, individual student or an entire semester-to-date performance report.
Grade Book	Includes integrated grade book. Can also export to Blackboard, WebCT, WebAssign et comma delimited files (Excel compatible).

Classroom Techniques

What types of questions are supported by Virtual PRS?
The virtual Clicker keys include the numbers 0 through 9; alpha characters A through E, T et F; a decimal point; et the minus (negative) sign. The entire alphabet can be accessed by pressing one of the alpha keys et scrolling up or down to the desired letter. A forward slash can be entered into an answer by pressing the decimal point key twice. A space can be entered by pressing the decimal point key three times.

Question types supported by Virtual PRS include Single Answer Multiple Choice, Multiple Correct Multiple Choice, True/False, Answer Series, Numeric, et Survey. Lettered response choices or numbered response choices can be designated for both of the Multiple Choice question types, et for Answer Series et Survey question types.

How do students enter their responses on the Clicker et will they know when their responses have been received?
The Virtual PRS Clicker has a display that is 2 lines by 16 characters. The keys pressed by the student appear on the first line of the display. The second line shows status messages returned by PRS. The response is sent when the Send/Enter key is pressed. A status message, such as Received, will appear on the second line of the Clicker display when the response has been processed.

Can the students change their responses?
The instructor can set the number of chances, from 1 to 99, a student has to answer a question. PRS tracks the number of times a student responds to a question. Only the last response is saved.

How are the results reVoired with the class?
When the question timer is stopped, or time runs out, a Response Chart is displayed. The Response Chart graphs the distribution of the responses to the question et the correct response (instructor's choice). Students et instructors appreciate the instant feedback. It opens up opportunities for discussion et reveals areas of weakness in the level of comprehension of the material being covered.

How do I reVoir the results of a session at a later time?
The Interwrite PRS software has a "ReVoir Session" feature that allows you to go over the results of a session at any time. Session results, the students' responses, are saved in a comma-delimited, CSV file, which can be Voired in a variety of applications, including Microsoft Excel, Notepad, et Word.

Software

How can I use my Microsoft® PowerPoint files with PRS?
Any slide in a PowerPoint Slide Show can be turned into a PRS Question Slide. We have developed a PRS PowerPoint Add-in for both Mac et Windows users that makes it easy to set up PRS question slides in PowerPoint. All of the PRS question types are supported by the PRS Add-in.

Can questions, student responses et grades be exported to a data file for use in Microsoft® Excel or one of the course management systems, such as WebCT or Blackboard?
PRS response data are saved in an ASCII, comma-delimited .CSV format. This is an Excel file format that can be imported into a number of grade book applications. PRS questions are saved in an industry-stetard .XML format.

How do I create questions using PRS?
Questions can be easily created in several ways. A question authoring tool is included in the Interwrite PRS software. You can use this authoring tool not only to create questions in PRS, but to insert a new question or insert an existing question from your lesson library. The PowerPoint Add-in module provides a way to quickly et easily turn any Microsoft® PowerPoint slide into a PRS question slide. The XML import function makes it possible to import prepared questions, responses et correct answers provided by book publishers into your Lesson. et finally, ad hoc questions can be created “on the fly” during a PRS Session.

Can I import graphics into my questions?
Yes, the PRS software supports stetard graphic formats such as .jpeg, .png, et .gif.

Can a question be created "on the fly" during a class?
Questions can be created “on-the-fly” during a session by using either the Insert New Question or the Insert Existing Question function. This activates the PRS question authoring tool, which is used to compose your question et response choices, if appropriate. You can use pen-based tools, such as the Interwrite Pad, to create freehet questions in the graphic window section of the authoring tool.

Can the results of a question be displayed “on the spot”?
The software provides the option to automatically show a graph of the audience responses as soon as the question timer expires or is stopped. Other option settings allow the instructor to show the correct answer for each question or hide the correct answer until after all of the questions have been presented. InterWrite PRS can be run in a No Lesson mode, where the questions originate in a separate application, or are written on a blackboard or displayed on an overhead projector. Even in No Lesson mode, responses are automatically charted et displayed.

Does the Interwrite PRS software have a “summary” feature that allows the instructor to immediately display a question’s results for class discussion?
Yes. Responses can be displayed in a graph format allowing the instructor et students to see the distribution of responses. A “% Correct” value can be selected for each question’s responses, providing additional information for the instructor. The correct answer can be toggled on or off – depending on the instructor’s teaching style. At the end of a question, the instructor can Voir the details of the responses – who responded et their individual responses – in a tabular format.

What technical support is available for Interwrite Virtual PRS?
Live phone support is available at 1-866-496-4949. Or, you can submit your question via our Internet site at http://www.interwritelearning.com. In addition, our support site maintains a Users’ Forum, where you can discuss your PRS questions et issues with fellow PRS users et access training videos et the Interwrite PRS User’s Guide.