Student Response System (SRS)

The Student Response System (SRS) refers to an integrated hardware and software system that allows instructors to pose questions and gather students' responses during a lecture. Many student response systems are also commonly referred to as classroom clickers, classroom response systems, personal response systems, or audience response systems.

The SRS used at Northwestern has two primary hardware components; a remote (or clicker) for students and a receiver for instructors. This image shows a student holding a SRS clicker.

The SRS software component is an application installed on the instructor's computer that allows instructors to create an interactive presentation.

During class, students respond to the questions or problems in the presentation by using their clickers. The receiver on the instructor's computer gathers the data and can display summaries of students' responses. Answers are also stored electronically for later viewing.

SRS Software

To use the SRS, instructors must install the SRS software on their PC or Mac to coordinate communication between the receiver, the clicker, and the computer application being used.  SRS software is already installed on all Smart Classroom computers. 

Benefits to Instructors

  • User-friendly interface
  • Ability to work with any application
  • Plug and play hardware set-up
  • Integrated class lists from the Course Managment System
  • Display of charts and graphs of user answers
  • Integrated Microsoft Office 2010 support for PC (also compatible with Office 2007, Office 2003, and XP)
  • Scoring Distribution, Statistical, and Percentile reports
  • Ability to merge multiple sessions into one comprehensive report
  • Automatic creation of participant rosters
  • Ability to support negative point values

SRS Hardware

SRS NXT Receiver

An NXT receiver is required to collect the data from the Student Response System (clickers). Receivers are available to instructors directly from the vendor, Turning Technologies. Instructors may also ask for an Instructor Kit. Instructor Kits include an NXT receiver and an NXT clicker. There is currently no charge for an Instructor Kit. The cost of a receiver is approximately $99.

Instructors who wish to request an Instructor Kit or purchase a receiver may contact Northwestern's account representative, A.J. Parker, Regional Sales Manager, Turning Technologies, (330) 884-6238, aparker@turningtechnologies.com.

ResponseCard

This is an image of a NXT SRS clicker.Northwestern has implemented standardized support of the ResponseCard NXT (clicker) and software from Turning Technologies, LLC to ensure that that the University community receives a quality product and that students will not need to purchase multiple clicker devices for different courses.  Some students may own the older ResponseCard XR, which supports a number of, but not all, the features of the ResponseCard NXT.  

ResponseCard NXT features include:

  • Multi-line LCD display
  • Two-way response verification
  • Alphanumeric entry

Students may purchase a ResponseCard NXT clicker at the Norris Bookstore located in The Norris Center on the Evanston campus. The cost per clicker is approximately $60.

ResponseWare For Mobile Devices

ResponseWare on iPhone and Blackberry

NUIT is open to the use of ResponseWare, a Turning Technologies Web-based/Smart Phone polling application which allows participants to use mobile devices, including iPhones, Smartphones, and laptop computers.

Please ask if you would like use ResponseWare. Your classroom must have enough wireless connectivity.

 

Additional Information

Support Contacts

Support Contact:

NUIT Support Center
Central service desk for students, faculty, and staff.
847-491-4357 (1-HELP)
Submit a Support Request