September 2005 — Applications
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Interactive Learning Environment Keeps Modesto Students Engaged
The Classroom Performance System provides four district junior high math and science classes with a wireless, collaborative, instant-response learning solution.
With a growing and diverse
enrollment of 34,000 students,
Modesto City Schools (CA)
invested its $500,000 Enhancing Education
Through Technology grant in technology
for maximum impact in math and science
classes at four of its junior high schools. The
technology purchased by the district
included computer-based math training;
scientific measuring equipment for gathering,
charting, and interpreting data; and
parent access for online tracking of grades
and classroom assignments. But the component
that has made the biggest impact on the
junior high classes is Pearson NCS’ (www.pearsonncs.com/cps) Classroom Performance
System (CPS), a wireless interactive
response system that lets every student use a
handheld remote to respond to teachers’
questions, while providing instructors with
immediate feedback on how well their
students understand a topic. A portion of the
grant money was used to buy 12 classroom
performance systems, CPS Challenge Board
software for each, and six CPS Chalkboards.
Each CPS comes with a receiver that plugs into the teacher’s computer through a USB or serial port, and 40 response pads that transmit students’ answers to the receiver by infrared signal. A projector or monitor then can be used to display true/false or multiple choice questions, as well as the answer given by each student. CPS makes it easy to build lessons by including 57 question templates and the ability to: import state standards, access ExamView item banks, create your own questions, and complement questions with graphics/ diagrams. The system also has automated grading and reports for tracking student performance against state standards.
CPS Challenge Board software was purchased for each system. In mimicking the TV game show Jeopardy, Challenge Board provides an opportunity for collaborative learning by allowing students to form teams and compete to answer questions grouped by subject matter and difficulty. The Challenge Board has introduced a new form of collaborative learning in a fun, interactive game format that creates lively sessions which reinforce understanding through repetition and review.
The CPS Chalkboards are wireless graphic palettes that let teachers draw on the projected image from anywhere in the classroom. Teachers can even circle an object or demonstrate how to solve a problem.
Improving Teaching and Student Performance
We recruited 23 seventh-grade math and science teachers to share CPS kits the first year. In October 2004, Pearson NCS provided one day of introductory training specifically for math teachers and another day just for science teachers. Then in December, the teachers received additional training on importing ExamView question banks to create lessons. Having access to questions that are right from the textbook and that align with state standards is a big advantage.
