CPS for PowerPoint (plug-in)

Content Start

System Requirements: CPS for PowerPoint is compatible with Office 2003 and 2007 on Windows, and with Office 2004 (but not 2008) on the Mac.

Download CPS for PowerPoint

Hardware set up

  • Plug your CPS receiver into a USB port.
  • Open CPS for PowerPoint.
  • Choose Delivery Options.
  • Select the Receiver tab.
  • Press the Detect CPS Receiver button. (It is good practice to do this each time the receiver is connected to a computer).
  • Wait until the system recognizes your receiver; you should get a green checkmark if it works.
  • Ask the students to turn on their clickers by pushing the Power/Join button after you see the Channel number indicated on screen.
  • Troubleshooting: If NONE of your students can join, the problem is with the receiver.

Create/Open your database

The CPS database is a file on your computer which stores class information including the gradebook, roster, attendance, and any other information collected with the clickers.

  • Select Open/Create CPS Database.

  • An Open CPS File dropdown menu appears.
  • Choose New Database if this is your first time, or Open Database.

Important Note : If you are moving between computers, you will need to carry this database file with you. Saving it to a Flash drive and keeping a backup are good practices.

Import your class roster from CPS Online

  • Open CPS for PowerPoint.
  • Follow the Hardware set up instructions.
  • Select the Classes tab.
  • Select Import and the "New Class Wizard" appears.
  • Select CPSOnline.
  • Select Higher Education
  • If this is your first time using CPSOnline, you will need to create an account.
    • Enter your Instructor Setup Code. For all NAU instructors, that code is N322A1
  • Enter your CPS username and password, and select Northern Arizona University from the pull-down menu.
  • Select the class you wish to import using the check box.
  • CPS will synchronize your class with CPSOnline and create your class roster (this may take a few moments).

Note: If you have more than one class section, especially if the sections are large, consider creating a separate database for each section so the roster sync will be faster.

Inserting a clicker question slide in your PowerPoint

Open the PowerPoint presentation file you created in PowerPoint

  • Locate where in your presentation you would like to insert a clicker question slide.
  • Place the cursor in the new location.
  • From the CPS toolbar or tab, select the Insert Question button.
  • When the pull-down menu appears, choose the type of question you would like to create.
    • True/false
    • Yes/no
    • Multiple-choice (up to 8 answer choices)
    • Likert scale (4-, 5-, or 7-point)
  • PowerPoint inserts a CPS slide into your presentation.
  • NOTE: Turn off all animations for this slide.
  • Enter the question information.
    • Type in your question text: [Enter question here].
    • Type in your answer options: [Option 1], [Option 2], [Option 3]
    • Select the correct answer by clicking on the red 'X' next to the correct answer.
    • The red 'X' will turn into a green check mark.
    • Save your file.

Engaging students in a clicker question

  • Open CPS for PowerPoint.
  • Open your PowerPoint presentation file.
  • Deliver your presentation as you normally would.
  • The Session Options dialog box appears.
  • If you plan to use the grade book feature, select the Include Session in Gradebook and Automatically Upload Session Upon Completion checkboxes.
  • Type in a session title.
  • Select the Session Category from the drop-down list (i.e., Class Participation, Exam, Quiz).

session dialogue box

  • For the Session Category, you will need to type in the maximum number of points.
  • Select the class from the drop-down list.

    • If you plan to use the gradebook, select the Include Attendance in the Gradebook and Automatically Upload Attendance checkboxes.
    • Type in the maximum points given for student attendance.
    • When you reach a clicker question slide, click the Engage button on the Engage toolbar (located at the bottom of the PowerPoint).
    • The Feedback Grid appears.
    • Start the question.
    • Allow students to respond.
    • Select End to terminate the response cycle.
    • If you want to display the chart, select the Chart button.
    • To end the engagement session and move on to the next slide, you need to select Close in the Engage dialog box.

Engaging verbal clicker questions on the fly

  • Open your PowerPoint presentation file in CPS for PowerPoint.
  • Deliver your presentation as you normally would.
  • The CPS Engage toolbar automatically appears with your presentation.
  • When you reach a clicker question slide or a break in your presentation where you would like to ask the students a question, click the Verbal button on the Engage toolbar.
  • The CPS Content Delivery window appears.
  • Type your question and answer choices in the spaces provided or ask your question verbally.
  • Start the question.
  • Allow students to respond.
  • Select End to terminate the response cycle.
  • If you want to display the chart, select the Chart button.
  • To move to the next slide, you need to select Close to end the engagement.
  • Use the Correct Answer pull-down menu to choose a correct answer for the question.
  • To return to your presentation, select Close to close the CPS Charting window.

Taking attendance using CPS for PowerPoint

  • Start CPS for PowerPoint.
  • Select Delivery Options.
  • Select the Receiver tab.
  • Select CPS Receiver and wait until your receiver is detected.
  • To close the Detect CPS Receiver dialog box, select OK.
  • To close the CPS-Delivery Options box, select OK.
  • Select the Classes tab.
  • Ask the students to turn on their clickers and join the session.
  • When you choose the Attendance button, the attendance grid appears.
  • If you plan to use the grade book feature, select the Include Attendance in the Gradebook and Automatically Upload Attendance checkboxes.
  • Choose Start.
  • Ask the students to choose the Number 1 button on their clickers, and push the send button.
  • Each reponse submitted will be recorded in the attendance grid (color change) and uploaded to the grade book.

Generating Reports

You can generate different kinds of reports based on performance data. The performance data is collected during CPS sessions and is based on students' responses to questions.

  • Choose the Report button. The CPS Reports tab appears.
  • Select the title of the session you would like a report generated from.
  • Choose the Generate button.
  • Select all the check boxes of the student names you would like included in the report.

    NOTE: Depending on your circumstances, you might consider unchecking the Filter out students who didn't respond default check box.

  • Select the type of report you want to generate such as Instructor Summary, Item Analysis, Session Data Export.
  • Choose the Preview button.
  • To save your file to your computer, select the file format in Output menu bar.
    • The following file formats are available for output:
      • Print
      • RTF File
      • PDF File
      • Formatted HTML File
      • Text File
      • Excel Spreadsheet

    NOTE: Remember this can not be directly imported into Vista without reviewing the data closely (user names may be different).

    • Save the file to your computer.