This guide is for instructors to update their TurningPoint Software for creating polls, running polls, managing your roster, and uploading grades to Blackboard.
Who should upgrade?
As of Fall 2017, we are using a new method for users to sign into their TurningPoint Software and the TurningTechnologies Website. Rather than have a separate password, Syracuse users can use their regular campus NetID and Password to access TurningTechnology products using a method called Single Sign-On (SSO). This sign-on method is more convenient and helps keep your accounts safe.
The new sign-on method is not supported by all version of the TurningPoint software. It requires users to upgrade to version 7.5 or higher to download rosters from Blackboard.
Instructors my continue to use an upgraded version of TurningPoint Cloud (7.5 or higher) or install TurningPoint 8. The method for each of these is slightly different—each is outlined below.
There are benefits to upgrading to TurningPoint 8. In testing, ITS and Online Learning Services have found it to be faster, more stable, and to include significant improvements in the ways sessions and rosters are updated.
The disadvantage of upgrading to TurningPoint 8 is that presentations created in 8 are not backward compatible to earlier versions. We have not found any problems with the new presentations, but we recommend that when you import your content to TurningPoint 8, you do so with a copy of your presentation, saving the original in case you need to access it from an earlier version.
If you are unsure about whether or not you should upgrade or how to do so, please email help@syr.edu or calling the help desk at 315-443-2677.
What version do I have now?
On both TurningPoint Cloud and TurningPoint 8, the version number of the software is located in the lower right corner of the launch screen.
Installing TurningPoint 8 on your USB Drive (Windows)
Use these instructions if you're ready to try TurningPoint 8 by installing it on your TurningPoint USB drive/receiver.
Preparing to install TurningPoint 8
You can keep or delete your current TurningPoint Cloud Installation. If you'd like to delete it, simply browse to the USB drive delete the folder containing it. Alternatively, you can keep the folder as it is or rename it to something like TurningPoint-OLD if you'd like to keep it.
To install the new version:
- Open a web browser and go to https://instructor.turningtechnologies.com/#/downloads. It may require you to sign-on if you have not already.
- Locate TurningPoint 8 — PC No Install and click the link to download
- Find the file that you downloaded to your computer which is titled TurningPoint.exe — it should have a blue hexagon logo.
- Double-click the application you downloaded. This will launch a dialog that asks you where you'd like to place the application. Click the icon to the right of the address and browse to the top of the drive (not a folder inside it). Then click "Unzip."
- When the installer is complete, browse to the USB drive and go into the "Turning Point App" folder. Double-click the item called "TurningPoint" with a blue hexagon logo next to it to launch TurningPoint 8.
- When signing in for the first time you may receive a license error, which you can ignore.
Upgrading to the most current version of TurningPoint Cloud
If you prefer not to upgrade to TurningPoint 8, you can use TurningPoint Cloud version 7.5 or higher.
To upgrade your existing installation:
- Browse to the software on your USB drive, launch it and sign-on.
- Double-click the TurningPoint Cloud logo in center at the bottom of the application
- This will launch a smaller screen showing your current version. Click the button labeled "Check For Updates..." to begin the applicaiton update process.
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