Students Using CPS with Blackboard

How do I register my CPS Response Pad (clicker) through Blackboard?

You need:

• Internet connection
• Enrollment Code/coupon (if you have one) from your new McGraw Hill textbook, your school bookstore or your instructor
• Credit card
• Make sure your browser does NOT have pop-up windows blocked. The confirmation that you have successfully registered your clicker is a pop-up giving you a clicker "pad" number for your course.

Enroll through Blackboard

Log in to Blackboard, webcourses.niu.edu, and select the appropriate course.

Click on the course Tools link.

Click CPS Connection.

Click on My CPS Page.

A screen displays with a list of Blackboard courses that you are enrolled in. If a course instructor has registered the course with eInstruction for CPS clicker use, it will display as CPS-Enabled and you can select New pad from the dropdown box under Serial Number.

The next screen allows you to register your CPS Response Pad using all or part of the serial number for your clicker, depending on your clicker type.

Locate your CPS Response Pad serial number. It is on your LCD screen when you turn on your pad. If your pad does not have an LCD screen, you serial number is on the back of the pad under the battery cover.

CPS Pulse Clicker

The Pulse is a new CPS clicker model. The name may not be displayed on the clicker, but the serial number is 8 characters long (e.g., 2040f3dd). If you are registering a Pulse clicker, just enter the last 6 characters of the serial number.

CPS Gen2 Clicker

The Gen2 is an older CPS clicker model. The serial number is 7 characters long and starts with the letter "r" followed by 6 numbers (e.g., r14c8bb). If you are registering a Gen2 clicker, enter the whole 7 character code in the space provided.

Continue by selecting a secret security question and response.

Click Add to continue. If you have chosen not to have your e-mail address saved in the CPSOnline database, you will receive the warning message below. Click OK to continue.

If you participated in a CPSOnline class before and already have a CPSOnline Username and Password, enter it in the space provided and click Continue. The enrollment codes are applied and stored in the student CPSOnline account.

If you have not used CPSOnline before, select "I have never used a CPS Response Pad Before" when enrolling in the class and fill in a  new CPSOnline Username and Password and click Continue. If you use your Blackboard credentials, remember that when you change your password for Blackboard, it will not automatically sync with your CPSOnline password.

If you forget your CPSOnline password or need more detailed instructions, see Instructions for Enrolling Your Clicker Through Blackboard (pdf)

If you received an enrollment code with your textbook, you can choose the option to activate the pad using that. If there is no enrollment code, choose to purchase activation and pay by either check or credit card. Read and accept the Student Refund Policy before clicking Continue.

If you are purchasing activation, choose to purchase a Single Term Activation or Lfetime Subscription and click Continue.

Fill in your billing information and click Continue to complete the registration process.

You should receive a successful activation message and a confirmation number. You should keep a record of the confirmation number.

Can a CPS pad that was purchased for one class be used in another class?

Yes, students can register clickers for multiple classes.
Detailed instructions can be found at Instructions for Enrolling Your Clicker Through Blackboard (pdf)

What is the procedure for exchanging a bad clicker?

If there is a problem with your response pad, before returning it contact eInstruction Technical Support at 888-333-7532 or  www.einstruction.com/support . If the pad problem cannot be solved, the student is sent an RMA via e-mail which they take to the bookstore. The bookstore will give the student a new pad and return the faulty pad.

Are clickers purchased online directly from eInstruction less expensive?

Only the class registration enrollment code or “subscription” is purchased online. The hardware (pad) is purchased in the college bookstore. The enrollment code can sometimes be purchased in the local bookstore, but it will probably cost more.

Can two students use the same clicker?

Yes, two students can use the same clicker, but NOT IN THE SAME SEMESTER.

ESPECIALLY if the pad is linked via Blackboard, no single pad can be used in the same term simultaneously by two different students. Even using strictly CPSOnline, no two students should be using a single pad simultaneously even though it is physically possible.

Can students sell their clicker at the end of the semester?

Yes.

What is the projected battery life of a CPS response pad?

The projected battery life is about a year. Each pad has a battery life indicator.

Do CPS response pads come with batteries?

Yes, CPS pads come with batteries.

What are the purchase options of CPS pads? Prices?

CPS pads can be purchased from the bookstore for $18-$20. Enrollments are purchased separately when students register their clickers online. Students can purchase one-term enrollment codes ($13 each) or a life-time enrollment code ($35). If you choose to purchase one-term enrollments, you pay for three semesters ($39 total) and then there is no charge for future enrollment.

How can faculty prevent misuse of response pads, namely, how do they prevent students giving other students their clickers for taking quizzes?

Each pad has a unique serial # tied only to one student. A list can be printed of first and last names and corresponding serial number. This list can be used to verify (via student ID card) that each student leaving the classroom has used their own pad. At that time the pads should be turned off so that students do not leave the room with test answers stored on their pad.

Problems?

Using Firefox may help resolve any issues where a blank page appears while trying to enroll or pay for your class. Make sure all pop-up blockers are turned off. Please try a Firefox browser before contacting your instructor about the error. If you do receive an error, please attach a screenshot of the error when contacting your instructor via e-mail.

If additional assistance is needed, contact eInstruction Technical Support at 888-333-7532 or www.einstruction.com/support.