eInstruction FAQs

Name: eInstruction CPS RF

Website: http://www.einstruction.com

Brief Summary: The CPS systems promote interaction with students and facilitation in grading with multiple input key support, number of import/export CPS formats, and streamline the outcomes.

Radio Frequency:

  • CPSrf(old): 2.4 GHz
  • CPSrf: 2.4 GHz

How-To: eInstruction Customer Support

FAQ:

Can CPS be put on a network?

The CPS program is not a client/server or network software application therefore each user must have CPS installed on their own system. CPS databases may be stored on a network so that multiple CPS users can Import lessons, standards, and classes from a database stored on the network to an individual user's database. Please review the Import instructions in the User's Guide accessed from an icon on your desktop.

We strongly discourage opening a database stored on the network from your system and working with it from the network because:

  1. A loss of network connection cannot only cause you to lose your data but may also corrupt the database, preventing future use.
  2. CPS databases may only be opened by one user at any one time. Multiple user access to a database may cause both users' information to not be recorded and may also corrupt the database.

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Can you import questions from other (non-CPS) databases?

Currently, you have to copy and paste the questions in manually. While, you can import databases from one CPS database to another, there is not a direct import capability in the system right now.

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Can I use the Universal Serial Bus for my receiver unit?

Yes. eInstruction's receiver units work with several different USB to Serial adaptors. Just attach the receiver unit and USB adaptor according to USB instructions. Contact our sales department to order a USB adaptor that coordinates with our CPS hardware. Please specify whether you operate a PC or Mac, as well as which operating system you use.

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Can I use CPS to grade my tests?

Yes. Using our Student-Managed Assessment, a teacher can deliver a single or multiple tests simultaneously. Students can advance through the test at their own pace. After the teacher ends the session, the grades are immediately compiled and scored. eInstruction has a patent pending on this hardware/software interface.

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Old Databases, CPS._(OLD), What Is Going On?

Upgrading CPS to version 3.0 will convert all databases created in earlier versions to allow version 3.0 to open it. Upon installation of CPS 3.0, CPS creates archive or 'backup' databases for all databases created in any earlier version. Example: You had a database named math.cps in version 2.49, you upgraded CPS to 3.0. Now when you choose to open math.cps, you will notice a duplicate database that says math.cps_(old).

Note that the correct database to open is the database that does NOT say cps._(old). The cps._(old) databases are the archive databases or 'backup' databases. If you open a cps._(old) database, CPS will create another archive with that cps._(old) database file extension and you will notice another database named math.cps_(old)(old). This no doubt causes much confusion!

It is important to make sure that CPS users run the SAME version of CPS for sharing files over a network. If ignored, some CPS database files created in earlier versions of CPS (such as v2.49), could become inaccessible to some users if they are opened up in a later version of CPS (such as v3.0).

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What is FastGrade? How do I use it?

The CPS FastGrade feature is ideal for use with existing hardcopies of course material. FastGrade lets you make an answer key of the hardcopy material. Then you can hand out the hardcopy or present the data in some other format and still use the CPS response system to record performance. Not only is FastGrade an excellent way to grade tests students take in class, it is also an easy way to grade homework.

  1. Open CPS to the Lessons tab.
  2. Highlight one of your Chapter Lessons (such as Chapter 1 - Addition).
  3. Click the Tools button.
  4. Select the FastGrade command from the dropdown list. The FastGrade Lessons Attributes window appears.
  5. Give a lesson title to your homework, test, or set of questions (Description and Unique Identifier are optional).
  6. Click OK. The FastGrade window appears.
  7. Click on the answer button for the first question. Make sure you are using the correct question template: MC8, MC7, MC6, MC5, MC4, MC3, MC2, True/False, Yes/No, Numeric, Performance, or Other (used for essay or short answer questions). NOTE: After you click on the answer for Question #1, the Current Question # counter automatically changes to Question #2.
  8. Click OK when you are finished inputting the answers.

CPS will create your answer key as a lesson.

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How do I create a class and add students to the class?

Create a New Class

  1. Highlight the class name into which you want to enter the respective students.
  2. Choose your institution type and click Next.
  3. Click the New icon under the Students side of the screen (right side).
  4. Type in the information for the first student in the fields at the bottom of the screen.
  5. Click Save or hit the Enter key after you have finished.

Add Students to a Class

  1. Click the New icon from the Classes side of the screen (left side). The New Class Wizard appears.
  2. Choose your institution type and click Next.
  3. Fill in the Class Name and any other information you would like to include. Click the Next button.
  4. Click the Next button again to create your class. Click Done to return to the Classes tab. Your new class will be listed on the Classes side (left side) of the screen.

Note: The fields First Name, Last Name, and Pad ID are required, but the others are optional. If you click Save you will have to click the New icon under the Students side of the screen to enter the next student. If you hit the Enter key on your keyboard, you can immediately begin typing in the information for the next student.

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How do I create a lesson?

Create a New Lesson

  1. Highlight the database name (CPS Lessons.cps) seen in the left section of the screen and click the Tools button.
  2. Select the New Lesson command from the drop-down list. The Lesson Attributes dialog box appears.
  3. Type the subject name (for example, Basic Math Concepts) and any description (optional).
  4. Click OK.
  5. Follow Steps 1-4 to create other lessons for subject names such as Earth Science or Language Arts.
  6. Highlight one of your subject names (such as Basic Math Concepts).
  7. Click the Tools button.
  8. Click the New Lesson command. The Lessons Attributes dialog box appears.
  9. Type the chapter name (for example, Chapter 1- Addition) and any description (optional).
  10. Click OK.

Follow steps 6-10 to create other chapter lesson names under any of your subject lesson names. Make sure to highlight the subject name you want to create lessons for.

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How do I make questions?

  1. Highlight a lesson name from the lesson side of the Lessons tab. The question side should be empty if you have not previously added or imported any questions.
  2. Click the Tools icon.
  3. Select the New Question command. The CPS Question Author window opens.
  4. Click the dropdown arrow in the Template box to see more than 50 question templates available with and without graphic placement options. Refer to the section "Select a Question Template" in the User Guide, for detailed information about each component of this window.
  5. Select several different templates to see the changes in the CPS Question Author window.
  6. Type the question in the question text box of the template you selected.
  7. Type multiple answers in the answer boxes of the template you selected.
  8. Use the toolbar in the upper left corner of the CPS Question Author window to save the question.
  9. Roll your mouse over each button from left to right on the toolbar to see each function:
    • Click Save to save the question and remain on the CPS Question Author window.
    • Click Move to Previous Question to move to the previous question in the lesson.
    • Click Move to Next Question to move to the next question in the lesson.
    • Click New Question to negate any text or graphics you may have just added and to "redo" this question number.
    • Click Standards to display standards in this database that you can associate with questions; see Associate Standards to Questions for instructions.
    • Click Preview Question to preview the question.
    • Click Save and Move to Previous Question to save any change you have made and move to the previous question in the lesson.
    • Click Save and Move to Next Question to save any change you have made and move to the next question in the lesson. If the question you are saving is last in the list, clicking Save and Move to Next Question opens a new question template.
  10. Repeat for as many questions as you want to add to the lesson.

When you have finished adding questions, click Question in the menu above the toolbar, and then Save and Close. All questions appear in the question side of the Lessons tab.

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What are some helpful hints while giving a course with CPS?

  • Don't feel obligated to have every student respond to every question - give a little notice and terminate the response cycle.
  • When using CPS, use it smoothly across your session. That is, don't wait until the end of class then ask 10 questions very fast. Keep your students alert by continuously involving them throughout the session.
  • Vary the activities. For example, use the Team mode and divide up the class, then have them compete with each other. Show results and urge collaboration: the real world works best with teamwork.
  • Use the Cumulative Class Percent Correct as an incentive. For example, if they finish above a certain percentage, you may reduce the homework or provide extra points.
  • Let the students create some Verbal questions in teams for delivery to the class over a specific topic.
  • Manage the class. For example, do not permit students to shout out, provide answers for others, or allow excessive celebration. It is your class and you set the rules for conduct independent of the instructional tools you use. Make sure this is a positive tool not a negative situation.
  • Manage your response pads. Have the students always retrieve and return the pads to the same place. A visual check is very easy based on the layout of the response pad carrying case.

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How to have this product for your classroom

Pricing Information

Contact information:

  • Phone:1-888-707-6819
  • Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Monday - Thursday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday CST
  • Email: techsupp@einstruction.com

Have your School Bookstore Order Response Pads

Before a school term begins, have the bookstore order the appropriate number of student response pads, per your class enrollment. eInstruction will create your school's CPSOnline site. After we have created your school's CPSOnline site, you will be ready to create your CPSOnline virtual classroom using the CPS Class Wizard. If your school's site is not yet available, please contact eInstruction at the phone number provided and ask for the Higher Ed Administration Department so that we may set it up for you.

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For more FAQ's please see eInstruction's FAQ section.

Student Remote (Gen 1) Student Remote (Gen 2)
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University of Central Florida, Orlando Campus: Classroom Building 1 Room 207 | Phone: (407) 823-3544 | Fax: (407) 823-2355 | Email: fctl@mail.ucf.edu | Terms of Use