Student Response Enterprise License: A Much Welcomed Tech Treat

The University of Arizona will be conducting a request for proposal (RFP) for a campus enterprise license for a student response system this fall and into next spring semester. For decades our campus-supported student response system has been PointSolutions (formerly called TurningPoint). However, it has never been on campus as an enterprise license. Students have had to pay out of pocket for physical devices and/or subscription licenses. Additionally, the campus has historically had strong feelings towards requiring physical clicker devices as opposed to mobile phone devices to be used in class. Recent studies and surveys conducted on campus have shown a much more positive view and usage of mobile phone devices. It also highlighted pain points with registration processes as well as a strong concern for cost to students. 

Using this data, a business use case was put together and presented to upper leadership recommending the university pursue an enterprise license for a student response system. A campus enterprise license would solve the registration and cost concerns that faculty have expressed. UITS leadership agreed to add in the fund request to next fiscal year’s budget and gave the green light to conduct the RFP. 

The RFP will be led by Josh Butcher, Assistant Director of Instructional Technologies within the University Center for Assessment, Teaching and Technology (UCATT). The RFP committee consists of 15 faculty members with experience with different response systems that represent 11 colleges, departments or units across campus. Additionally, 5 students have volunteered to participate. Nine support staff will serve on the committee to provide consultation but will not have voting privileges. 

Stay tuned for an announcement in the middle to late Spring 2023 semester about the results of this RFP.