Course Setup

After completing the order process, the next step in getting a course prepared for a classroom response system is course setup. For instructors who choose to run the system from the classroom computer console, the Office of Instructional Resources will install the system on the primary classroom computer. From this computer, instructors will synchronize to eInstruction's online class roster.

Instructors who choose the option of using their own laptops for the classroom response system will need to download the system directly to their personal computers. Steps on how to download the system are outlined below. Both laptop and classroom console computer users should ensure that student information is password-protected. For information on how to do this, see Security Policies. If the CPS software is already installed on your classroom's console computer, you can skip the information on how to download the system and move directly to Creating a CPS Database.

Downloading the System to Your Laptop

If your laptop meets the requirements below, you may begin the download process by downloading the software.

After the file is downloaded, open it to begin installation of the system. A wizard will appear to guide you through the rest of the installation process.

System requirements:

PC Version 5.62

• Windows Operating System Intel Pentium III or higher processor
• One USB port
• A minimum of 512 MB RAM
• At least 120 MB of hard drive space for CPS software; databases may require more hard drive space
• Microsoft Windows 2000 with Service Pack 2, Windows XP Professional or Home Edition, or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista 32
• Screen resolution of 800x600 or higher

Mac Version 1.50.063

• One open USB port
• Mac Operating System Mac OS X, including 10.3.9 and greater
• PowerPC G3 300 MHz or better processor, including G4
• 512 MB of physical RAM
• 120 MB of free hard disk space
• 800x600 display, thousands of colors or better

NOTE: The instructions provided on this page apply to eInstruction's CPS version 5.62.0090 for PC and version 1.50.063 for Mac.

Creating a CPS Database

You are now ready to create databases with lessons, presentations, class rosters, grades, and reports. These databases will hold the information necessary for you to manage your class.

In order to create a CPS database, you will need to:

1. Open CPS from your desktop icon. If this is the first time you have used CPS on your computer, the Open or Create New CPS Database window appears.
2. Choose Create a new CPS database and click OK. The New CPS File window appears.
3. Type a database name into the File Name textbox. The file extension *.cps is automatically added to your file name. For example, if you teach three sections of Geography 1020, you might name your database GEO1020.cps.
4. Click the Save button.
5. You can add lessons, questions, and team activities to your database once you have created it.
6. You can create a new CPS database from the Open or Create New CPS Database window.
7. CPS automatically opens your new database to the Lessons tab.

Creating a CPSOnline Class

Once you've created your database, you can create a CPSOnline class. A CPS class consists of a roster of the students' names and pad ID numbers and may also contain student ID numbers. When you engage a lesson, students answer the questions using the response pads, and CPS saves performance data for each student.

Creating a CPS class and syncing your face-to-face class with CPSOnline is absolutely critical for making student grades, class lessons, and class performance results available online. In order to create your CPSOnline class, you will need the Instructor Setup Code you received in an email from eInstruction. Follow the steps below to create and sync a CPSOnline class.

NOTE: If you teach multiple sections of a class, you must create a separate CPSOnline class for each section.

1. Open CPS to the Classes tab.
2. Click the CPS New Class Wizard icon. The CPS New Class Wizard appears.
3. Choose Higher Education and click Next.
4. Choose Yes if you already have a CPSOnline account with a Username and Password. If you have never created a CPSOnline account, choose No. Click Next to move to the next screen.

   NOTE: Steps 5-9 assume you have never created a CPSOnline account. If you have previously created an account, enter your Username and Password and continue to step 10.

5. Enter your Instructor Setup Code. An Instructor Setup Code links you to your CPSOnline class. If you don't have a code, please contact eInstruction at 888.707.6819 and ask for the Administrator for Web-Based Initiatives. Please save this code to receive updates for the CPS software.
6. Select your school from the scroll-down list. Click Next.
7. Create a Username and Password.
8. Fill in your Instructor Information.
9. Fill in the Higher Education Class Information. For a brief description of each field,
10. Click Next.
11. Verify your information by clicking the Go Back button, if necessary. If you are ready to create your class, click Next. Your Class Key, CPSOnline Username and Password, and class information will be sent to you in an email.

NOTE: You will only have to do this process one time. After you create a class, you are considered an existing CPSOnline user and can use your username and password to enter CPSOnline. If you need to create additional classes you can do this from inside CPS so that you can access all your CPSOnline classes using the same username and password.

After students register for your class through CPSOnline, their student information and response pad IDs will appear in your CPS class roster when you sync your class with CPSOnline.

The setup instructions provided above can be found in more detail in eInstruction's setup guide for PC and eInstruction setup guide for Mac.

Home Introduction Place an Order Course Setup Course Tools Teaching With CRS Security Policies Tutorials Troubleshooting Resources