you are here: cit home > how to > lab instructions > Classroom Response Systems

Classroom Response Systems Frequently Asked Questions

1) What are classroom response systems?

2) How do recent advances in response system technology impact us at UT Austin?

3) Which colleges have instructors using classroom response systems?

4) How can I get a response system for use in my classes?

5) How do I set up a class in CPS?

6) How do I learn more about response systems?

7) What kind of computer do I need? Do I need my own laptop?

8) What instructions do I give my students?

9) Is it difficult to learn to use a response system?

10) What type of classroom response system training is available?

11) How do college tech support staff install and test classroom equipment?

12) What if I have a question that's not listed here?

13) What should students do if their clicker does not work?

1. What are classroom response systems?

The terms classroom response system, classroom communication system, wireless response system, and interactive response sytem are used interchangeably. The term refers to a software/hardware system that allows instructors to easily get instant feedback from their students, using remote control devices and a portable receiver.

The basic process works like this: Students are shown a question and they respond by pressing a button on their remote control (clicker). Responses are tallied by computer and feedback is instantly available in the form of histograms and detailed reports

There are a number of vendors that market these products. UT has been using a product developed by eInstruction, a Denton, Texas-based company. The product, called the Classroom Performance System (CPS), is sold as a stand-alone system and as an online system where students purchase access each semester. The software creates a roster which instructors download to their computers.

Qwizdom, Turning Point, H-ITT ,PRS , and iClicker are response systems that offer similar functionality. The Physics department has developed a software package called Classwork which can work with available commercial hardware.

[back to top]

2. How do recent advances in response system technology impact us at UT Austin?

Until recently, systems operated with an infrared signal. These products require an unobstructed line-of-site transmission, have a limited range and require several receivers in large classrooms. UT Austin began using the CPS IR system in 1996. Currently most colleges and departments have begun using products that uses a more reliable radio frequency signal.

Radio-frequency systems require only one receiver and do not require that students point their pads at a receiver. CPS released its Gen2 RF system in the summer of 2006. It uses pads with an LCD screen that confirm student responses. The new pads, also referred to as clickers, have battery and signal strength indicators and are easier to use than the earlier transmitters.

DIIA is supporting the new Gen2 RF system. Staff are available to train departmental representatives and technology deans on CPS RF implementation. Beginner and Advanced pedagogy workshops on the best use of CPS RF in the classroom are also available for UT faculty and staff.

[back to top]

3. Which colleges have instructors using classroom response systems?

The new CPS RF system is currently used by instructors in the Colleges of Natural Sciences, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Social Work, Education, Communications, Nursing and Business. The CPS IR hardware, which is being phased out, is being used by faculty in the physics department in conjunction with the Classwork software. Turning Point is being used in the College of Pharmacy and the School of Law.

An RF receiver and the CPS software is also installed at the ITS Help Desk in FAC 200- B.

[back to top]

4. How can I get a response system for use in my classes?

Contact your college or department to learn how to get the hardware and software for your classes.

1) Instructors can order a CPS starter kit from Brad Balaban with eInstruction by e-mail at brad.balaban@einstruction.com or by phone at 443-896-3297.
2) Download and install the CPS software even if you have a working version on your computer. CPS for Power Point is recommended.
3) Contact your college or department classroom technical support staff to discuss delivery of your receiver to them for installation in your classroom or to notify them if you will be using your receiver with a laptop. Staff will set the proper channel on your receiver.

4) Order pads for your students from the University Co-Op by calling Chad at the Co-Op at 476-7211 #8152 or by sending e-mail to cstith@universitycoop.com. The ISBN # for the Gen 2 RF clicker is 978-1-881483-71-7.

[back to top]

5. How do instructors set up a class in CPS?

First, select the software you want to use. The easiest way to begin using CPS is through the CPS for Power Point software. You must have Power Point 2003 or later installed to use this application. This CPS FOR POWER POINT TUTORIAL will guide you through the process. If you do not want to use Power Point, download and install either the PC Full Release or the Mac Full Relase of CPS.

DOWNLOAD CPS for PC (Full release, Version 5.40.1143; Released 7/08)

DOWNLOAD CPS for Power Point for PC (Version 5.40.0182; Released 7/08)

DOWNLOAD CPS for Mac (Version 1.35.0489.4; Released 3/08)

DOWNLOAD CPS for Power Point for Mac (Version 1.35.0489; Released 2/08)

After installing the software, there are five steps to set up CPS.

1 ) CREATE YOUR CPS CLASS THROUGH BLACKBOARD. Instructors create their CPS class through Blackboard by clicking on Tools--> CPS Connection-->Register Class.
2) CREATE A UT EID FOR A GUEST STUDENT AND ADD THE STUDENT TO YOUR BLACKBOARD CLASS. You will add this guest student into your Blackboard class. Please note it takes 24 hours after you notify Blackboard staff for your student to appear in Blackboard.
3) Open CPS and CREATE A CPS DATABASE for all of your courses. A CPS database is a file that is created by CPS and has a file extension of *.cps. This file contains your class rosters, lessons, questions and all the reports of student performance. Select your Delivery options settings from the Settings pull-down menu. You may choose to run CPS from a USB flash drive(memory stick).
4)IMPORT AND SYNC YOUR CLASS ROSTER from Blackboard into CPS. You can combine multiple sections in Blackboard to more efficiently integrate with CPS. CPS sessions can be easily imported to your Blackboard gradebook.
5)TEST YOUR SYSTEM by registering a student clicker into your CPS class and running the program.

Finally, provide instructions to your students.

back to top]

6. How do I learn more about response systems?

Assistance is available from DIIA, the College of Engineering and the College of Natural Sciences. Former CPS users can also be an excellent resource. A video of biology instructor Dee Sivlerthorn discussing and demonstrating how she uses CPS and active learning principles is highly recommended.

Division of Instructional Innovation and Assessment

• Morrie Schulman, (512)475-6057 or (512)440-0558; email: schulman@mail.utexas.edu

College of Engineering Faculty Innovation Center:

• Matt T Mangum :mat-man@mail.utexas.edu
• Dr. Kathy Schmidt: k.schmidt@mail.utexas.edu

College of Natural Sciences:

• Dr. James Bryant: jim175@mail.utexas.edu

7. What kind of computer do I need? Do I need my own laptop?

CPS offers both PC and Mac versions.You may use a laptop but you do not need one to run these software packages. Before you run the CPS RF system, whether on a laptop or on a classroom desktop computer, please be sure to contact your college's tech staff well in advance of your class so they can install the necessary software and hardware and set unique receiver channels to avoid possible interference from other classrooms.

The PC version of CPS has complete functionality. Currently the Mac version does not offer a self-managed testing mode, provides only five multiple choice options instead of eight and has other minor limitations.

[back to top]

8. What instructions do I give my students?

Instruct your students to buy a response pad at the Co-Op. The cost is $20. Students also pay a $12.50 fee per semester (capped at three semesters) to use CPS in all of their classes.

Instructors who are using CPS should direct their students to log on to your Blackboard class to register their response pad, create a CPS account and pay their enrollment fee. Instructions (Word Format) can be posted on your Blackboard class site. A short tutorial also illustrates the process.

[back to top]

9. Is it difficult to learn to use a response system?

Instructors can generally begin using a response system on a basic level after a one hour training or orientation session and another hour or two of experimenting with the hardware and software. After initial set-up,CPS instructors can use just four mouse clicks to ask and display results of their questions.

Online training and consulting is available from the vendors of each product. Einstruction and McGraw Hill Publishing offer excellent CPS training. The CIT offers training classes and individual consulting.

[back to top]

10. What type of classroom response system training is available?

Introductory and advanced classes are currently offered. Additional information and a sign-up form may be found on the DIIA's Training site.

[back to top]

11. How do college tech support staff install and test classroom equipment?

A tutorial is available for classroom tech support staff. A firmware upgrade for the receivers should also be performed. Download and install the software and perform the upgrade as indicated in a PDF file provided by eInstruction.

12. What if I have a question that's not listed here?

Please don't hesitate to email us or call us at 475-6057 with any questions, suggestions, comments, etc.

13. What should students do if their clicker does not work?

The first thing that students should do is to check their batteries and confirm that the correct serial number is displayed in the class Website on Blackboard. The Help Desk in FAC can help determine if problems are due to batteries or improperly entered serial numbers.

If these things both check out, students should contact eInstruction tech support. Many problems can be solved over the phone (1-888-333-4988) or by synchronous chat (http://einstruction.com/Support/index.cfm). Periodically there may be a wait, but hold time in my experience is never over 10 minutes.

Clickers will be exhanged free of charge if tech support determines them to be broken. The technician will email an exchange form for students to provide to the Co-Op to obtain a replacement. eInstruction links help requests to specific clickers with exchange forms to diagnose and correct equipment failure.

[back to top]