Updated testing clickers to be utilized at USD

It’s nothing more than a little remote — but that one little remote is getting a big upgrade.

TurningPoint Technologies, the vendor that provides USD with its testing clickers, has progressed from their old audience response software to a newer model that exists within “the Cloud.”

Cheryl Tiahrt, the assistant vice president of technology, said in an email that the change was due to TurningPoint’s updates. 

She also said older versions of the clickers are no longer supported.

While the new model keeps up with the changing times by being accessible on smartphones, tablets and laptops as well, Scott Druecker, an assistant professor of basic biomedical sciences, said it also presents problems.

“The department was hesitant to use the new program,” Druecker said. “There were a lot of questions about how the new system would work and since the medical school begins classes in July it was just too short notice

He said the department is planning on staying with the old program until next semster. The main concern with the new system is centered on academic dishonesty.

“One of our department’s biggest concerns is cheating. We don’t want students to be able to screenshot their answers or take pictures of their quizzes,” he said.  “This new system presents a lot of hurdles.”

While fears of academic dishonesty present their own problems with the update, many professors’ no-phones policy also creates a set of obstacles — another reason Druecker and other professors in the medical department fear the updates might not be so great.

“I have to buy an access code now and a clicker because my professor doesn’t allow phones in class,” said sophomore and medical biology major, Miranda Ebach.

Sophomore Emily Heumiller agreed with Ebach.

“Honestly, I think it’s dumb,” Heumiller, a psychology major said. “Even if it’s just an access code, it seems like an unnecessary expensive to students. And it really just doesn’t make sense to me why the change was made anyway, the old clickers worked perfectly for years, why would you fix what doesn’t need fixing?”

While some professors might not require students to buy a new clicker and access code, the new TurningPoint Technologies systems can be purchased at the Barnes & Noble bookstore. Clickers are being sold for $48.55 and access codes for $28.

Druecker said he’s somewhat skeptical about the new clickers and the way some professors will utilize them.

“I’m not sure it was worth it,” he said.