Have you ever been sitting in class on the day of a big test and realized you brought nothing to write with? Have you ever avoided participating in a class that you hadn’t done the reading for?
Those days are over for students in Curtis Naser’s ethics classes due to his decision to use a Personal Response System, or PRS, to take tests.
PRS is a classroom communication system consisting of an instructor-administered computer, one or more infrared receivers and an infrared transmitter for every student in the class. Students use the transmitters to respond to questions posed by the instructor.
“It is just another unneeded expense,” said Kristen Salmon, ’04. “It’s not an educational tool.”
The device sells for $45 in the campus bookstore, yet it can be purchased for $30 or $35 on the Internet or in other stores.
“There is a group of us who haven’t bought it yet,” said Salmon, “It is not a necessity-not a book-it’s not needed for the class.”
“It just does not seem needed,” said Lynn Pinto, ’05.
At this time the bookstore has not yet decided whether or not the device is eligible for buy back.
Naser wrote a request to the bookstore asking for buyback considerations.
“The Ethics program has offered to buy them and sell them back to the next students, but it looks like that will not be necessary,” said Newton, who is optimistic the bookstore will buy the transmitters back.
However, Curtis Naser, PhD, professor of philosophy, said the transmitters are a convenient use of technology.
“Using these transmitters helps make things move quicker and more efficiently,” said Naser.
“The transmitters are a cutting edge of educational technology that allows the class to do all sorts of things,” said Lisa Newton, PhD, director of applied ethics. “A quiz can be posted in the middle of class, the students take it immediately, the program will grade it, and viola! You, the student, proved to the professor that you really do know the material – The student sitting next to you, who did now do the reading, does much worse, so you look even better!”
The price, however, seems to be a main concern for many students.
“It is expensive for students. I’d like to see the price go down,” said Naser, who also admitted that the price, although expensive, is fair.
Students are also having a hard time remembering to bring the transmitter to class.
“So far I have made the quizzes practice quizzes, but eventually I am going to have to say that ‘If you don’t have it, you cannot take the quiz,'” said Naser.
Some students are outraged by Naser’s claim.
“It is absolutely ridiculous that we have to buy this unnecessary tool,” said one student, who asked not to be named. “This is just an easy method for professors to grade. Don’t scantron sheets work just as well?”
Although the transmitters create an intersting approach to test-taking, some students are disappointed by the requirement.
“The only downfall is that if you don’t have them you can’t participate in class,” said Caitlin Sullivan, ’05.
Naser will store transmitters for students who do not want to carry it back and forth to and from class. Naser said he will be responsible for bringing them for students next time.
“Plenty of professors require students to purchase items that are not books for their classes,” said Naser. This is just like that,” Since he is now using this system, the transmitter is a necessity for his class.
Several students believe that the device makes the class, and taking quizzes and tests more interesting.
As more teachers adopt them, the price will decrease and the transmitter will become more useful. The transmitter can be used for multiple classes by one student and shared between students for different classes, but not in the same class.
There have been two complaints made by parents involving the cost. Naser, and the Ethics department is willing to help anyone with financial need but are hesitant because there is really no way to prove who actually needs it, Naser said.
Naser encourages any students who have any other issues to come to him first and he will try to work it out with them.
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