i>clicker

What are Clickers?

Clickers is the common name for an audience response system, such as those used on the TV shows Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and Funniest Home Videos. A clicker system typically includes software, a receiver, and multiple remotes, and can be used in a variety of ways to improve classroom instruction. 

There are three components to the i>Clicker system: a recevier or base unit, the software and remotes. The receiver is easy-to-use, portable, and durable. It is powered by a USB port on your computer; it is completely plug-and-play. One receiver is capable of recording votes from as many as 1,500 remotes. They operate on a two-way radio frequency system operating at 915 MHz to ensure no collision/interference with Wi-Fi technologies. They have a range of 200-300 feet and have 16 sub-frequencies to prevent interference with nearby classrooms.

Fall semester 2011 Clemson is adopting the i>Clicker 2 system. We will have 2 types of bases on campus. Over the Summer 2011 semester CCIT has worked diligently to collect base units from faculty and classrooms. The bases that came out of classrooms will be replaced with the new i>Clicker 2 bases as they become available. The base units that are being returned to individual faculty members will be i>Clicker modified base units. The i>Clicker modified base units have a sticker on the bottom to indicate that they have been updated to Firmware 4.05. This Firmware upgrade will allow faculty to use the modified base with the new alphanumeric and numeric response types with the i>Clicker 2 remotes. The modified bases will also work with the old i>Clicker remotes. No new instructor remotes will be provided with the new i>Clicker modified base units.

The required software for the base unit comes on a flash drive that you can plug into the receiver or it can be copied to and run from your U:/ Drive or your local computer. The version currently supported on campus is version 6.1.3. There are two software applications i>Clicker and i>Grader. i>Clicker is the application used to setup your courses, settings, register student remotes and poll your students. iGrader is the application used to assign credit for polls, synchronize web registrations, manage unregistered clickers, and run reports on the polls that were used in class.

The remotes use the same two way radio frequency system that the receivers use. We currently have 2 remote styles on campus. There are i>Clicker remotes that have the standard A through E response types. These remotes require three AAA batteries which are easily replaced without a screwdriver. Energizer batteries are included with each new remote. They have two auto shut-off mechanisms: if the remote has been used to communicate with a base (e.g. voting in class) it will shut off after 90 minutes, but if inadvertently turned on (e.g. in a backpack) and is not communicating with a receiver, it will shut off after 5 minutes. Each remote has a unique identification code (ID) printed on the back. When a student "registers" his/her remote, that unique ID is linked to that student. That allows you to know how each individual student voted.

Fall semester 2011 Clemson is adopting the i>Clicker 2 remotes. They have the standard A through E response types, but also allow for alphanumeric and numeric response types. These remotes require two AAA batteries which are easily replaced without a screwdriver. Energizer batteries are included with each new remote. i>Clicker 2 remotes will automatically shut-off when it has been idle for 5 minutes. Each remote has a unique identification code (ID) printed on the back. When a student "registers" his/her remote, that unique ID is linked to that student. That allows you to know how each individual student voted. New to this version is an LCD screen that displays the student remote ID and frequency when the remote is initially turned on. There is also a loop on the bottom of the remote that allows students to attach it to a lanyard and rubber grippers to prevent sliding.

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Is there any cost associated with Clickers?

Yes. Students attending a class where i>Clickers are integrated will have to purchase an i>Clicker remote. Students should refer to their syllabus to determine if an i>Clicker 2 remote is required. These remotes can be purchased for approximately $49.17 including tax at the Clemson University Apple Store. At the beginning of the Fall semester 2011 only i>Clicker 2 remotes will be sold. Students who previously purchased an i>Clicker remote will be eligible for a $10 mail-in rebate upon purchasing an i>Clicker 2 remote. Details regarding the rebate can be found on the i>Clicker Buyback Program for Clemson University webpage.

If you are a faculty member that has an old i>Clicker base unit, you can submit the base unit along with your contact information to Brackett Hall room 432. Then register for the new i>Clicker2 training that will be provided in August 2011. During training the new base units will be distributed to faculty that submitted their old i>Clicker base unit. New i>Clicker2 instructor remotes will not be provided with the new i>Clicker 2 base units or the i>Clicker modified base units. Faculty members can purchase the new i>Clicker2 instructor remotes from the Clemson University Apple Store, pricing is to be determined.

iClicker instructor kits with modified bases will be provided to faculty free of charge while supplies are available.

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Can I download software updates for my i>Clicker receiver?

Yes. You can download software updates for your receiver from the i>clicker Downloads page. We will be using version 6.1.3 starting August 2011.  The Web Update utility will not work for this release.

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How do I register my i>Clicker Remote?

There are 2 ways to register your i>Clicker Remote. The first is through an in-class roll call that your instructor will bring up. This is usually used for smaller classes. The second is through the i>Clicker Web Registration. You will need to register using your legal name and userid as it appears in your class roll in Blackboard Learn. This option is usually used with large classes. Once you register, your instructor will have to synchronize their web registrations. If your instructor contacts you after you have already registered, you can email your instructor your remote ID, so that they can manually register your remote to their class. Your remote ID can be found on the back of your i>Clicker remote, or on the LCD screen of the i>Clicker 2 remote when you initially turn it on. If you have an older i>Clicker remote and your remote ID has worn off, you can take your remote to the Clemson University Apple Store in the Edgar Brown Student Union or to the CCIT Help Desk on the 2nd floor of Cooper Library and ask to use the iClicker Remote ID Finder application.

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How do I use my i>Clicker Receiver?

You can submit a ticket to ITHELP@clemson.edu and request one on one training or register for our iClickers in the Classroom training class at the beginning or end of each semester. You can also view one of i>Clickers live daily online training sessions by going to the Training portion of the i>Clicker website.

• Hardware Features at a Glance
• i>Clicker 6.1 Instructor Quick Start Guide
• i>Clicker 6.1 User Guide
• i>Clicker2 Student Quick Start Guide
• iClicker Recorded Webinars

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Frequently Asked Questions

View some of the more frequently asked questions on the i>Clicker FAQ page. Their site has questions asked by both student and faculty members.

If my i>Clicker does not work, what should I do?

1. Make sure you have removed the pull tab from the battery compartment.
2. Replace the batteries in your i>Clicker Remote.
3. Take your i>Clicker Remote to the Support Center.

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Do we offer Instructor-Led training for i>Clicker 2?

Yes. We will be offering i>Clicker 2 training in August 2011. Faculty members who traded in their i>Clicker base unit will receive a modified base unit at their training session. The base unit or receiver and USB drive can be used for all of your courses over multiple semesters. However, we need to know which classes you plan on using it for and how many students are in these classes. Each semester you will need to complete this online order form, so that an adequate number of i>Clicker remotes can be ordered for your students.

If you plan on using i>Clicker in your class, include information in your course syllabus and let students know that they can purchase their i>Clicker remotes at the Clemson University Apple Store located in the Edgar Brown Student Union.

• iClicker Semester Startup Checklist (.DOC)(.PDF)
• Downloading Roster from Blackboard Learn (.SWF)
• Uploading iClicker grades to Blackboard Learn (.SWF)
• i>clicker First Day of Class Materials (.ZIP)   **Includes Example Syllabus Statement and Remote Registration Instructions
• i>clicker2 First Day of Class Materials (.ZIP)   **Includes Example Syllabus Statement and Remote Registration Instructions
• i>clicker 6.1 CMS Import/Export User Guides Blackboard Version 9 (.PDF) 

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Additional Clicker Resources

• Audience Response Systems (Wikepedia)
• UC Davis
• Innovations in Family Medicine Education
• Virginia Commonwealth University

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