The CPS-RF Response Pad, hereafter known as the clicker, is THE essential tool for communicating your performance in this course. Along with a valid ACT Card, you must bring this to every class and every examination period.

It is your responsibility to remember to bring your clicker and to maintain it in working order. It is your responsibility to ensure that the batteries are working. You are required to carry extra ones. The hardware is very robust, but take care of it. Drop-kicking it across the room or putting it in a washing machine, will not help you pass this course.

IF YOU FORGET TO BRING YOUR CLICKER TO A CLASS, YOU WILL NOT BE GIVEN CREDIT FOR ATTENDANCE AND YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO SCORE FOR ANY QUIZ GIVEN THAT CLASS PERIOD.  IF YOU FORGET TO BRING YOUR CLICKER TO AN EXAM, OTHER ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE BUT 7 PERCENTAGE POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR EXAM SCORE.

Rarely, a clicker may malfunction without student fault.  If this happens inform the instructor.  He will ask to see the clicker and your backup batteries.  If you do not have both, it is the same situation as forgetting to bring the clicker to class.  If it is determined that the clicker is malfunctioning, you will be issued a temporary loaner-clicker to complete the period activity.

Clearly, your survival in this course is tied to this mechanical device. Your survival in an automobile traveling at 70 mph on an expressway is also tied to the mechanical device of the steering wheel, so this is a common situation. Take care of your clicker.

If you lose or break your clicker, you must purchase another one and re-enroll for the course. You must inform your instructor if this happens so that your records with the old clicker can be merged with the new.

At the beginning of the semester, you will be given opportunity to test your clicker and practice with it.  You will learn how to Join the class in session.  Once you Join the class do not turn the clicker off.  The software will not allow you to re-join and it is as if you left the room.

Using a clicker for someone else, or having someone else use your clicker, is an act of Academic Misconduct and will be treated according to University policies.

The clicker is far less complicated than the remote control of a common TV set. Every clicker comes with a set of brief instructions. Your purchase of the clicker also entitles you to Technical Support from einstruction.com on their web site www.einstruction.com or by phone at 888-333-7532. You must obtain this support before you come to class, because obviously, there is no time during class.

At first, being unfamiliar with the clicker, it may seem like too much trouble. However, there are strong benefits to the clicker system. It promotes active engagement in the classroom. You cannot go to sleep if you will need to use your clicker in the next few minutes. It allows class-wide responses to example questions and problems and will provide you with instant feedback on answers. No more waiting for a quiz or exam to be graded and returned to you. Once a graded session ends, your score will be immediately posted into your student account. To access this:

On any PC browse to www.einstruction.com. Click Login, then Student. Select University of Alabama Tuscaloosa. Click Choose Course. You will be directed to another page. Click here to sign in. Provide the username and password you used to enroll for the course. Click Sign In. Click on the Class Name for the course, then click Grades. All instructor graded material is here, instantly and immediately.

Unfortunately, at the current time the lab TA does not have access to the system. So your lab grades will not be updated as frequently as lecture material.

A site has been set up to allow you to test your clicker and to practice with it outside of this course.  You are encouraged to test your clickers at this site one day before any major exam to ensure the clicker is working.  For instructions to this test site, click here.