In January 2003, I had the opportunity to attend the Questionmark users’ conference in Miami Beach. At that time, I was trying to work as a consultant for businesses using Questionmark to develop their certification programs. The keynote speaker was a researcher named Will Thalheimer who presented his white paper on asking questions through the learning process. In that presentation, he used eInstruction’s Classroom Performance System, our older model blue clickers, to very effectively make his point and by August 2003, I was regularly showing and selling, at that time, eInstruction’s only product, the CPSir.

Since then, Dr. Thalheimer has done a great deal of research on the role of questioning through the learning process and some of his focus has been on effective use of audience/student response pads.

He’s offering his latest paper on providing learners with feedback at no charge. He does a great job of boiling things down into easy-to-apply chunks. Visit his site, subscribe to his blog and download the paper!

I’ve posted my latest newsletter here. Features include:

• Content Meets Technology Sweepstakes
• Specials
• Wish List Products
• Grants
• Free Evaluation Program
• eInstruction Competitive Analysis
• Book Review: Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works
• Calendar

Three buttons….big white one with blue ring, then the two underneath that one….

The blue ring when flashing is powered on, but not connected.  When the blue ring is solid, it is powered on and it is connected to the receiver. 

On the right side of the chalkboard there is a light that glows through the white panel.

This light shows that there is data coming from the chalkboard to the computer. 

Right now, the upper small button is flashing red, and the lower one is a steady green. 

The top button shows the charging status of the board itself.  When it is steady green it is fully charged, when it is flashing red it is charging. 

The button below is the charging status of the stylus.  It will simply be off unless the stylus is plugged in. 

It is on the charger.  How long does the chalkboard stay on before it shuts off?  DOES it shut off?

The chalkboard stays on for approximately after about 10 minutes of inactivity the blue circle will flash to let you know that you have been inactive.  If you touch the board with your stylus it automatically stays on.  If you do not touch the board then it will flash for 5 minutes and then it puts itself to sleep.  All you need to do is press the awake/power button again to wake it up.  It should last about 15 hours on a charge, I typically just plugged it in each evening and it will last the entire day. 

This would be ever-so-much easier with an on-line tutorial!

 Totally agree!  They are actually working on this for just the basic functionality. 

If you go to www.rmeducation.com you will find online tutorials for the RM Easiteach software.  They have online videos, free lessons to download, and some other resources. 

It looks like eInstruction has tweaked the online demo a bit. Check it out!

Why enter?

1. You might win and $8000 technology package.
   
2. You will help put Idaho and Utah on the map – the Google^® Map mashup!
   
3. This isn’t a grant, it is a sweepstakes – everyone has an equal chance of winning.
   

    

How do I enter?

1. Head to eInstruction and click on the Content Meets Technology Sweepstakes button.
   
2. Submit a “vision” that is 250 characters (about 25 – 35 words) or less.
   
3. View the flyer here – pass it along to colleagues, administrators and PTA folks!
   

Can I still try CPS, an InterWrite Pad or CPS Chalkboard, and Sharp Projector this year? Yes, with my Evaluation Program, you can try any of these products at no charge. Email me to receive the forms.

While these sample entries are around 250 characters (the limit), wordiness is not necessary. Feel free to be creative – see the feeble attempt at a limerick below! Check out other entries posted online.

My vision is to improve student participation and understanding by providing real-time feedback and interactive lessons. With my current ExamView banks, I can blend effective questioning with technology to collect data and provide feedback.

I am a teacher in rural Idaho who still uses a chalkboard. We don’t qualify for any special funding and face losing some due to NCLB. My vision is to bring our district into the 21^st century by adding interactive technology to my classroom.

My students are native Spanish language speakers. Using CPS, we’ve improved test scores by 15%. With CPSrf, the InterWrite pads and boards and a new projector, gains will be even better. Each student has a voice and are engaged with technology.

There once was a teacher named Sue,
Who had no fun toys, boo hoo
She entered the contest
Her kids passed the state test
And awakened her passion anew!

Amy G. Jones

Account Manager, CIMAV

T 208.602.2661

F 208.898.5012

amyj@cimav.com

www.cimav.com

www.einstruction.com

Here is another well organized site from the Kenton School District in Kentucky. These were created in a previous version of CPS, but should update when you open them.

This site provides specific information, including a small library of CPS databases developed for a variety of content areas and grade levels.

A local parent saw one of my “clicker” demos some time ago and recently learned her daughter was using them in class. She shared her thoughts with me and some of the district folks:

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the use of technology in my children’s schools.  Recently, my daughter at (her middle school) used blue clickers in her science class before a test.  Later that week she took the test using the blue clickers.  She loved the immediate feedback on how she did on the test and so did I.  She happened to get an 100% on the exam, but I think that may have been in part due to the teacher using the clickers prior to the test and seeing what areas the kids needed help with and may have not been bold enough to ask for help - this would be my daughter.  I have seen the clickers previously, and know what a great learning tool they can be.  I hope there is intent to put them in more classrooms and encourage more teachers to use them.  My daughter has found them to be a great learning tool.

Thank you!