User's Guide

8 Chapter 1InterWrite PRS – Sessions
Self Paced Mode
An option available when profiling a Session is Self Paced Mode. A Self
Paced Session allows the instructor to configure a timed Session wherein
students can answer Questions in any order and at their own pace during
the designated time frame. Any Lesson can be chosen for presentation
during a Self Paced Session. Other Session settings that are not relevant
to a Self Paced Session are grayed out. A specialized Response Grid is
displayed for an IR Session that allows students to verify Responses and
track unanswered Questions. In an RF Self Paced Session, messages
regarding the status of each transmitted Response are displayed on the
LCD screen.
Insert Question
One more important feature of the basic – that is, non-Self Paced – PRS
Session is the ability to insert impromptu Questions during the Session.
For example, based on class discussions between Questions, or on a high
percentage of incorrect Responses to a Question, an instructor may
decide to approach the material from a different perspective, or try to
isolate or clarify the source of the students’ confusion by adding one or
more ad hoc Questions to the Session. The value of this feature in terms
of instant assessment is immeasurable. An instructor can be immediately
and effectively responsive when he perceives a weakness in the students’
understanding of the material.
No Lesson
While the purpose of this manual is to describe the features of PRS, it is
important to note that one can easily use the assessment and testing
functionality of PRS’s audience response system without using its Lesson
capabilities. No Lesson is an option on the New Session dialog. When
you select this option, only the Response Area is displayed for IR, and
only the Session Toolbar is displayed for RF.