Faculty frequently asked questions
In what rooms can I use CPS?
CPS can be used in any classroom on campus. Receivers are permanently installed in the 9 large lecture halls (HS106, 107, 109, Clow 101, 102, 103, N/E 151, 152, Kolf 161.) Each instuctor who adopts CPS is given a receiver which they can carry into the classroom that plugs into the computer's USB port. CPS software will be part of the standard installation in all classroom computers. A data projector is recommended, but the system can be used without one.
Does it cost anything?
There are two ways to use CPS
If you just want to try it out or only have an occasional use, we have a 46 unit kit that can be loaned. Contact Nick Dvoracek (424-7363) or AnnMarie Johnson (424-2210)
For larger classes and semester long integration into your course, there is the bookstore model.
There is no cost to the instructor. Students purchase the remote unit ("clicker") at the bookstore for $21. The student must then go to eInstruction's web site to activate the clicker for $10 each semester. The Student Technology Fee has supported the activation fee since Spring of 2007. Activation is good for as many of the student's classes as are using the system during that semester. The bookstore will buy back the clickers for $10.50 and will resell used clickers for $15.25. Media Services will maintain a list of courses for which the system has been adopted.
Who is using CPS at UW Oshosh?
Four instructors adopted CPS in fall 2004 and an additional four in spring 2005. On this site, there is a list of all the instructors who have adopted CPS and the course in which they have used it.
Does it really enhance learning?
Maureen Muldoon asked her students in Enviromental Geology “Do you feel that use of CPS has been beneficial to your learning?” (145 responses)
yes, strongly 6%, yes 70%, no 11%, no, strongly 1% no answer 2%.
Five instructors at UW Oshkosh participated in a UW System study in the Fall of 2005
led by UW MIlwaukee. The report of that study is available on-line
There is a page of links to studies at CoolSchoolTools.com (this site does seem to be created by a reseller of einstruction's products).
The University of Texas has a site with video clips of faculty member Dee Silverthorn
School of Biological Sciences discussing her use of a student response system.
Duke University's page on Student Response Systems includes several links to articles, including some pedagogical suggestions (scroll to the bottom of the page..
Who do I contact if I want to adopt CPS
In order to get your instructor test kit and instructor set up code for eInstruction's on-line registration site, contact Susan Junior at eInstruction (630)778-8523 f(office) or 630)542-0218 (cell). If you are adopting a McGraw-Hill textbook, contact your McGraw-Hill representative. Contact Kathy Reilly at University Books and More (920)424-2385 to order the clickers for your students to purchase. Contact Nick Dvoracek, Media Services (920)424-7363 so I can include your course on the list of users and contact you with any changes or announcements.
Who do I contact at UW Oshkosh for support?
Nick Dvoracek, Media Services (920)424-7363. eInstruction also has excellent technical support by phone. Their toll-free support number is 1 888-333-7532 within the hours of 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Monday - Thursday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday CST, or by email.
How do I know whose clicker is whose?
When the student activates their clicker, they register for the courses in which they are using it. When you create your CPS database of classes, lessons, and questions, you link to the eInstruction server and it downloads the classlist to your database with each student identified with their clicker. It updates the course registration everytime you open the database on an internet connected computer.
With the loaner kit, you can export your classlist from the D2L gradebook, assign clickers and import that into a CPS class.
Why can't a student join a session in my class?
The most common reason is that they either didn't enter their clicker serial number when they registered for the class or entered it incorrectly. Click here for directions on how to change student account information. If they can't update the serial number or get a message that it's already registered, they should call eInstruction's toll-free support number at 1 888-333-7532. If the serial number is correct, they may have a malfunctioning clicker, which they can exchange at the bookstore.
Can I post the results of a CPS session in D2L?
Session data can be exported from CPS as a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file. If you encourage your students to use their UW Oshkosh username (their email address without the @uwosh.edu) and their Titancard ID number as the Student ID, it's a fairly simple matter to upload this data into the D2L gradebook. Contact Nick Dvoracek for assistance.
Does the semester activation fee include interim?
When a student pays the activation fee, they have a 45 day window to add another class. Therefore if they pay the activation fee at the beginning of the semester, it will not count for interim. However, if they pay at the beginning of winter interim, it will also be good for spring semester. One year activation options are available.
What kind of responses can students give?
You can have multiple choice with up to five responses, true/false, and numeric responses up to twelve characters. Responses can be confirmed by reentering them. The student receives confirmation if both responses are the same. Responses can be changed anytime during the response period.
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