Deploying Questions (created in the software) in Class

Importing Lessons from Other PCs

If you create questions on your office or personal computer and do not have a laptop, you can save class databases on the network or on a disc and easily open them up on a computer in an E-Classroom or on an ATC laptop.

Run the software by going to Start > All Programs > CPS and select "CPS" from the list.
Go to File and Open Database.
Browse for your copy of the database from the portable location (e.g. network drive, USB key, CD-ROM, floppy, E-mail to yourself, etc.) where you saved it in steps from Creating Questions in the CPS Software.
Open your copy of the database.

Note

Need to go from a PC to a Mac or vice versa? Follow the instructions on Importing/Exporting CPS Databases Between PCs and Macs.

Engaging Lessons - Basic

Tip

It is a good idea to check to make sure you have properly set up the system and detected the CPS receiver prior to engaging your lesson. See Setting up the CPS in the Classroom for information on how to do this.

After you have successfully detected your CPS receiver and opened your class database, click the Engage tab.
Select the checkbox next to the lesson you wish to Engage, or use in your class.
Check that the Title and the lesson Type (e.g. quiz, participation, etc.) are accurate.
Click the Advanced button and select Create Default Class.
Enter your lower and upper range numbers from the response pads and then OK. These numbers appear on the top or inside of the CPS kit. If you are combining more than one CPS kit, you need to include the range of both kits. For example, if you are using kits #1-32 and #65-96 your range will be #1-96.
Click OK to close out of the Create Class and Advanced Options windows to return to the main CPS application window.
Click the Engage Teach button.
CPS will minimize itself to a small toolbar located either at the top or bottom of your screen.
You can begin class.
When you are ready to pose a question to your students, select either the Questions button and locate your question, or select Next if you created your questions in the order you will be delivering them.
Your question will appear on the screen with the possible answer choices.
Select the Start button at the bottom of the question window to allow the system to begin accepting student answers from their response pads.
A Ballot Grid window will appear with your class response pad range in boxes. Students can now begin responding to your verbal question.
When you are ready to stop accepting answers, click the End button at the bottom of the question window.
Results will display. To customize results, please skip to the next section on Customizing the Display Results in Lecture.
When you are finished discussing the results, select the Close button to end that question. CPS will remain minimized as a tool-bar so that you can access the rest of your Lesson questions when you are ready to do so in your lecture.
When you are finished with your questions, or are at the end of class, select Close from the CPS toolbar.

Customizing the Display of Results in Lecture

Show Correct Answer

If you would like to discuss a question and its methodology first prior to displaying the answer in the results, you can customize the settings so that the answer is not given away in the results graphs until you select it. Likewise, you can set CPS to show the correct answer if you would like to limit discussion.

Prior to engaging your lesson, go to: Settings > Delivery Options > Teacher Managed tab.
Uncheck/check the box next to Show Correct Answer.
If you have already engaged your lesson but have not yet posed a question, select the Options button and follow Step 2.

Show a Histogram or Chart of the Results

If you would like students in the class to visually see where they stand in comparison to the rest of the students, you can opt to graphically represent the range of answers at the end of every question.

Prior to engaging your lesson, go to: Settings > Delivery Options > Teacher Managed tab.
Uncheck/check the box next to Auto Show Charting.
If you have already engaged your lesson but have not yet posed a question, select the Options button and follow Step 2.
After you have posed and ended your question, a graph will show.

Maintained by itweb@wpi.edu
Last modified: Apr 02, 2008, 08:48 EDT