We have one.

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Home : 2004 : August : 12

We have one.
By TLC

Our units were donated to all of the schools in our county because of a grant. The CPS units have great potential, but it is still leading edge technology, and a whole lot of work for those required to use it for specific
tasks, like if it is mandated that you give all unit assessments on the CPS. Now if it is set up in a permanent lab, or stays in your classroom 100% of the time, you've already won half the battle, because setting it up is a nightmare! Now if your district just mandates, use it 8 times; don't worry. You can use it with the programs that come with it and just say, yes I used it 8 times.

However, the trouble begins when you have to write a game, quiz, review or test just for the CPS. Very few textbooks come with compatible software for the unit. When we were being "sold" on the unit we were made to believe that, oh, all the textbook companies are going to jump all over this and make software to use with the CPS units. Well, that was 3 years ago and nothing yet. Many of your paper tests will work with the unit, if they are true/false and multiple choice, but you are still going to have to completely retype them and format to the unit, many hours. If you all use the same tests at grade levels you can divide up the work, but beware, we are talking about some serious hours. The CPS unit will grade them immediately, Which is wonderful, though you will still have to grade short answers and essay. I wish you well!