Engaging a larger audience to interact and/or vote on case study options can be done in a number of simple, cost-effective ways, such as a show of hands, or holding up red or green cards distributed in the packet. If resources allow, however, an audience response system (ARS) using touchpads is an effective method for maximizing interaction in a large audience setting. These systems offer (1) quick tabulations of audience responses for discussion; (2) speaker control of when and how responses are displayed; (3) the addition of impromptu questions during the case; (4) the ability to continue the case in an unplanned direction with the audience; and audience anonymity. In addition, an ARS allows the presenter to immediately obtain a more detailed assessment of audience demographics (to tailor the case presentation and discussion appropriately) and to gather evaluation data. Sample demographic questions on clinical and academic training, specialty,
number of HIV-infected patients, and number of years in HIV care are shown in Slides 17 to 20 below. Download slides 17-20 A list of companies that rent audience response systems is included below. On average, the systems cost $25 to $30 per pad (per person) per day and other equipment is required, including a laptop computer and LCD projector and screen. The company supplying the pads can typically provide a technician at an approximate cost of $400 to $1100 per day. Each system will have different specifications on how slides should be structured, the number of options that can be used in a response, the way in which the results are presented, and the ability to ask impromptu questions with audience polling during the case study. In addition, some systems may have the capability to filter certain responses out of the data tabulation. For example, you may want to separate the responses of the program faculty from those of the audience for comparison and discussion. Data can be reanalyzed at a later time. In addition, the ARS allows for evaluation and continuous quality improvement efforts. Data obtained from the ARS can be used to enhance the data collected from traditional evaluation instruments (eg, printed evaluation forms). With advance planning, instructors could use the system to obtain pre- and post-activity responses and compare them to assess outcomes. Resources Note: None of the companies listed below are endorsed by the IAS-USA, the Editors, or the AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETC) National Resource Center. Companies are listed in alphabetical order. Audience Response Systems, Inc. 2148 North Cullen Avenue, Evansville, IN 47715 800-468-6583 www.audienceresponse.com Communications Technology International 41 Grand Avenue, River Edge, NJ 07661 800-891-5236 www.consensor.com Conference Systems Inc. 202 Perry Parkway, Suite 5, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 800-683-8400 www.conferencesystems.com CPWireless Audience Response, Inc. 34300 Lantern Bay Drive, Unit 6, Dana Point, CA 92629 800-218-1431 www.cpwireless.com IRIS, Inc. 207 North 44th Street, Cody, WY 82414 307-527-9357 www.inthorizons.com Meridia Interactive Information Services 5207 Militia Hill Road, Suite 100, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 610-260-6800 www.meridia-interactive.com Option Technologies, Inc. 2641 Washington Boulevard, Suite 100, Ogden, UT 84401 801-621-2500 www.optionfinder.com RSi Communications Group 433 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601 800-237-2323 www.rsicommunications.com Turning Technologies, 866-746-3015 www.turningtechnologies.com | 
