CLASSTALK

The UT CLASSTALK system is a new teaching tool intended to increase class participation in large lecture courses. To participate, each student will need to purchase a "CPS response pad" at the UT-Coop Bookstore (unless you already own one). The cost is estimated at $32, and used pads can be resold to the bookstore for roughly half-price.

Beginning with the September 3rd lecture, I will raise questions during lecture and ask for everyone in the class to choose an answer by pressing the designated keys on their pads. The Painter 3.02 lecture hall is equipped with a receiver that will record the individual answers, and the associated software will generate a class-wide histogram that will be displayed on the projector screen for our discussion.

The point of the CLASSTALK system is to provide both you and I with a means of rapidly gauging your understanding of the material being covered in lecture. As noted above, extra-credit points will be awarded for using your response pad at the appropriate times during lecture, whether or not your answers are correct. Moreover, please don't hesitate to discuss the CLASSTALK questions with your lecture neighbors before choosing your answer - the whole rationale of the CLASSTALK system is to induce you to think about problems and to share your thoughts with others.

You can not use or get credit for the CLASSTALK system until you have enrolled in the on-line CPS roster for my course at http://www.eInstruction.com. You only need to register once per course. The complete instructions for registering your response pad will be handed out in written form during the first lecture, and are also available at http:// www.ph.utexas.edu/~ctalk/students.htm.

You will need to provide the following information to register:

• Class Key # = d790b43
• Your individual Enrollment Code, which is given to you when you purchase the response pad.
• Your response pad Serial Number, which is located on the inside of the pad's battery cover.

Once you have successfully registered, the website will assign you a 'Response Pad Number' specific for BIO214. (Should you use CLASSTALK in other lectures as well, you will need to register separately and receive a different Response Pad Number for each course.) I strongly recommend that you keep track of this number becaise it will allow you to check during lecture to see whether or not your responses are being picked up by the receiver.

If you wish to look at your CLASSTALK participation record during the semester, you may do so via the "Part II. Class Records" link at http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~ctalk/.

****************

Should you encounter problems using CLASSTALK or with your response pad our CLASSTALK system expert, Kevin Nelson, will have regular office hours every week in RLM 10.206 on Monday from 10 to 10:30 and on Tuesday from 5 to 5:30. A complete CPS system is set up in the office and is available for testing purposes.

Return to BIO214 Homepage.