Centre for Learning and Teaching
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA, B3H 4R2 | +1 (902) 494-1622
CPS by eInstruction

Classroom Performance System

The Centre for Learning and Teaching, Academic Computing Services' Integrated Learning Online, and the Dalhousie Bookstore are work together to support the use of eInstruction's™ (http://www.einstruction.com/) Classroom Performance System—popularly known as "clickers"—to enhance the classroom learning experience.

The Classroom Performance System (CPS) provides a mechanism for teachers to electronically capture students' responses to questions and then immediately display the results through the classroom computer/projection system. The system consists of a receiver connected to the instructor's computer which records the responses given by students on small, hand-held units ("clickers"). The results are instantly available and can be immediately displayed to the class, saved on the professor's computer, or entered into the course records (e.g., BLS, grade book, etc.). Here are some of the ways professors are using the CPS to engage students and to track their progress:

  • Asking questions to find out if students understand the material. Their responses will let the teacher know whether to address students' misconceptions or lack of understanding or to move on to new material.
  • Encouraging active learning by posing problems for individuals or small groups to answer (see http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsapp/BT/RESEARCH/mazur.html for one example).
  • Soliciting students' opinions on controversial issues (students may be more comfortable expressing their views when their responses are anonymous). Also a good way to show students the existence and number of different viewpoints among their classmates.
  • Using quizzes and tests to give students frequent and timely feedback on their progress. The CPS system instantly records their responses and copies the results in your gradebook (e.g., BLS, Excel).

Faculty using the system must place an order through the Bookstore in the same way you order textbooks for your students. Students buy a clicker and an access code that they can use in multiple classes. Some publishers are also offering to bundle the clickers and access with textbooks, sometimes at a discounted price. To avoid confusion for students and to ensure students' personal clicker registration information is kept confidential, all faculty using the system are urged to place their orders through the Bookstore.

YOU NEED A RECEIVER FOR THE SYSTEM TO WORK. HERE'S HOW TO GET ONE FREE: Instructors who have placed an order with the Bookstore should next contact Carol O'Neil at the Centre for Learning and Teaching (see below) to obtain a free receiver supplied by eInstruction.

LEARN HOW TO REGISTER CLICKERS AND HOW TO USE THE CPS WITHIN YOUR BLACKBOARD LEARNING SYSTEM™ (BLS) COURSE SITE

Contact one of the following people for more information on: