This page is designed to help RITES teachers use the computer-based Investigations created by the RITES project teams.

Your main entry into RITES is a web-based “portal” that can be accessed with a browser. The portal allows you to select which RITES Investigations you want to use with your class and gives you and your students access to the Investigations.

The RITES Investigations portal is pre-loaded with each RITES teacher's classes and students; there is no need for you to enter or register your students.

Before you begin, you may want to review the available Investigations.

To use RITES in your class, follow these steps.

1. Log in to your RIEPS (Rhode Island Educational Portfolio System) account, at the RIEPS home page. RIEPS is administered by RINET; If you are having trouble logging in to RIEPS, or do not have a RIEPS account, contact RITES Teacher Help.

2. The first time you log in, you will need to add the "RITES Investigations Tool" to each of your classes. Watch the step-by-step screencast on adding the "RITES Investigations Tool" or download the PDF file version.

3. Assign Investigations to classes. This makes it available to your students when they sign in to RIEPS. Watch the step-by-step screencast that shows you how.

4. Test the Investigations you will use -- on the computer(s) you will use -- in the classroom you will use.

• This is a critical step, because varying internet connection bandwidth and different computers at each school or even in each room can make or break a computer-based activity.
• Before the first time you teach with RITES, run an Investigation on each computer that you or the students will use.
• Use the "Run" link associated with each RITES Investigation to launch the Investigation.
• If you have difficulty in running a RITES Investigation, contact RITES Teacher Help.

• In the portal, use the Pop-out link (see image below). This link opens the RITES portal in a new window, making it easier to navigate, assign Investigations, and use all aspects of the portal.
  


• To check that RITES is saving your student's data as it should, ask a student to log in through RIEPS, run an investigation, answer one question, close the Investigation and relaunch it. You should then see that the student's answer is still present.
• Using probes to collect data? The RITES default interface for probes is the Vernier Go!Link. Click to see how to change to a different probe interface.

Hide these instructions.

Changing to a different probe interface.

Note that RITES currently supports Vernier across all platforms, and the newer Pasco PasPort USBLinks (2100A), as well as the SPARK, Xplorer GLX, and PowerLink on Windows. For other vendors, such as Data Harvest and TI, please consult with RITES Teacher Help.

The probe interface is a preference setting in the RITES portal. So, after logging in to REIPES and going to the portal, open your Preferences as shown here and make a different selection:



Hide these instructions.

Here are some diagnostic tests you can carry out to determine whether a computer is correctly configured to run RITES Investigations, and instructions to correct the configurations. If you are not technically inclined, these tests may be more suitable for the IT staff or Technical Director for your school to perform.

1. Check whether your computer has the current Java software installed. Most computers come with Java installed, however, occasional updates are required. Click to view step-by-step instructions for checking whether the Java software on your computer is ready to run RITES Investigations.

2. Check whether your browser is ready to run RITES activities. Select your browser to view the step-by-step instructions:

3. Try the Investigation again. If both the Java software is up to date and the browser you are using is configured according to the instructions, but you are still having trouble, contact RITES Teacher Help.