If you’re not familiar with the difference between the two products, TurningPoint provides plug-ins for Microsoft Office to let you insert questions into your documents, but it only works with MS Office 2004 for Mac.  The TurningPointAnywhere software gives you a response indicator that “floats” on your desktop and isn’t linked to any software, so you can use it with questions in any format, including questions written on the chalkboard.  The short video tutorials are available at http://www.turningtechnologies.com/audienceresponsecommunity/tutorials.cfm

The live training also sounds very promising, and I plan to attend a couple of them in the next two weeks to see how they are.  I’ve attended live online training from TurningTechnologies in the past, and it was always very good.  The schedule and registration links are available at http://www.turningtechnologies.com/audienceresponsecommunity/onlinetraining.cfm

These new support offerings will be a nice complement to the short training videos that we have posted at http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/teaching_resources/clickers/resources  

I have to wonder if TurningTechnologies got the idea from us, because I showed our sales rep our videos about a year ago, and she thought they were a great idea.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and in this case, a form that is helpful to our users, too!

It’s no longer necessary to reserve special videoconferencing rooms in order to make a  connection between your class and a remote participant.  The new breed of web conferencing tools – iChat, Skype, Windows Messenger and others – along with a simple webcam and microphone makes it  possible for your guest to connect directly from their office, lab or even their homes.  SAS Computing has assembled a portable system that lets us bring these desktop conferencing technologies to your classroom.   The system includes a laptop computer, video camera and wireless microphones; it connects to the classroom projection system.    The result is that we can get good pictures and sound transmission in most classrooms with as little as 15 minutes of setup time.  If your guest doesn’t have access to a webcam, they can simply connect via telephone and we’ll be able to set up an audio-only session.

SAS Computing portable conferencing equipment

Even though the technology is relatively simple, a successful videoconference session requires some planning.  You and your guest will want to agree on goals for the session, and how to structure the conversation.  Will they start with a presentation, and then open up to Q&A?  Will your students be presenting their work for evaluation and comment by the guest expert?  Will you need to display Powerpoint slides or other visual material in the session. Consider how you will moderate the discussion in the classroom.  You’ll want to encourage a lively exchange but avoid having people talking over each other.

SAS faculty who want more information about videoconferecing for their classes should visit http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/mms/video_conferencing_services or contact the staff at SAS Computing Multi-Media Services.  Faculty from other schools at Penn should check with their computing support providers to what options are available.