iClicker Student Response System

If you are just getting started, use the iClicker road map for instructors as a start guide.

Prior to Moodle integration, students had to register their iClicker remotes in the old portal. Instructors had to manually create a roster file in order to be able to download student registrations into the iClicker gradebook. It was also quite cumbersome to make iClicker scores accessible to students on an ongoing basis. As a result, many instructors only published iClicker grades once toward the end of the semester.

With Moodle integration, instructors no longer need to generate a roster file. As students register in Moodle, the student roster and registration data can be downloaded from Moodle to the iClicker gradebook with a click of a button. Uploading iClicker scores to Moodle gradebook is a breeze. Instructors can easily publish iClicker scores after each session, giving students the ability to track their iClicker session scores throughout the semester.

To use Moodle integration, you will need to download Concordia’s customized version of the iClicker software from the iCLICKER RESOURCES Moodle page. To access the site, log in to Moodle and click the iClicker Resources link. On the new page, enter iclick into the “Enrolment Key” box and then click the Enroll me button. Once on the site, you can download the version of the software that works with your operating system.

For step-by-step instructions on how to configure the software to allow Moodle integration, refer to the iClicker moodle integration instructor guide.   

At Concordia, students register their iClicker remotes in Moodle. As an instructor, you can download the iClicker moodle registration guide for students and send it to your students for their reference.  

To quickly identify unregistered students after you have already synced the roster, click the Students icon on the gradebook's main window. You will find all unregistered students listed under the Unregistered student(s) tab. You can export the list by clicking the Export to CSV button.

If you wish to send a reminder to unregistered students via Moodle, use the Participants list in your course site (found in the “People” block in Moodle). You can quickly select the students and send them a Moodle message.

Reef Polling refers to a feature available in the iClicker software. Once enabled, Reef Polling allows students to take part in polling sessions using their mobile devices, such as smart phones, tablets, or laptops. An advantage of using the iClicker software with Reef enabled is that students are given the freedom to participate using either an iClicker remote or a mobile device.

If you wish to enable Reef, it is important to familiarize yourself with the Concordia University guidelines around In-course use of external educational software and services before you begin using it. Instructors with concerns about the use of smart devices in the classroom can choose not to enable Reef.

Reef Polling is a technology that allows students to participate in polling through networked devices such as smart phones, tablets, or laptops. However, Reef Polling can refer to both a standalone system and a feature available within the iClicker system.

The main difference between the two options is that Reef Polling as a feature in iClicker (hybrid solution) provides an alternative for students who are concerned with their data being stored on third-party servers. To store their data locally, these students can register their iClicker remotes in Moodle and vote only with the locally registered remotes.

For data security purposes, Concordia has adopted the hybrid solution and does not support Reef Polling as a standalone system.

What is the difference between iClicker Classic and Reef polling enabled in iClicker Classic?

The matrix below explains in detail the similarities and differences between the two options:

You may find yourself in a situation where some of your students are pushing for the use of Reef while others prefer to vote with an iClicker remote. Using the iClicker software while enabling the Reef Polling feature will satisfy both needs. However, student Reef users should be informed that their personal information and voting data will be stored both locally and on the external Reef server. Instructors should consult the university guidelines around In-course use of external educational software and services before enabling the Reef Polling feature.  

Before students can use Reef on their mobile devices, the instructor must enable Reef Polling in the iClicker application. Reef Polling can be accessed via the Settings button on the iClicker main window. For step-by-step instructions, refer to the Reef polling instructor guide.  

Students can participate via web browser at https://app.reef-education.com or by downloading the Reef iOS app from the iTunes App Store or the Android app from Google Play.

Note that iClicker does not have a Reef Windows app, but Windows users can still use a web browser to participate in Reef polling.

You can download this Reef polling quick start guide for students and send it to your students for their reference.

Yes, if you enable Reef to be used in your course. Purchases of new physical remotes may come with a free six-month access card for Reef. If a student has purchased an iClicker remote and would like to try Reef, they may register their Reef account using the same name and student ID they used to register their physical remote. That way votes made using the physical remote and Reef will both be stored in the iClicker gradebook.

Note: students should only use one method in any one polling session. Using both in one session may distort their scores.

The instructor remote allows instructors to control the polling (start/stop a polling, display/hide results, display correct answer) as well as move through the PowerPoint slides. To enable the instructor remote, click Settings on the iClicker main window. Under the General tab enter your instructor remote ID (printed on the back of the remote) and click Save.

You can use either. When using the classroom computer, keep your iClicker software in a USB key and connect the USB key to your iClicker base receiver. Ensure that all of the iClicker data is stored on your USB key and not on the hard drive of the classroom computer itself.  You do not need to use a USB key if you are using your own laptop. You can simply launch the software from your laptop and save the data there.   

Note that the classroom computer is hardwired to Internet. If you use Reef polling, the classroom computer provides more stable Internet connection than your laptop that runs on Wi-Fi.

Interference may occur if two iClicker base stations are used in close proximity to each other. These stations, however, can be set to any of 16 different frequency channels to prevent such interference. The default frequency is set to AA for the base, the instructor remote, and the student remotes. If you suspect you are having a problem with interference (for example, seeing a message indicating an interference or receiving more votes than there are students in your class), you can change your frequency via Settings>General tab.

You will then need to change frequency for your instructor remote and instruct students to reset their own remote’s frequency to match the new frequency.

Note: changing a remote’s frequency must be done in class in the presence of an active base station.

If you have chosen a frequency other than the default AA, iClicker will alert your students to this change when you begin polling.

After starting a session, instruct your students to:

• Press the On/Off (power) button on their remote for about 2 seconds until the blue Power light begins flashing (iClicker remote) or the frequency code on the LCD screen begins flashing (iClicker 2 remote).
• Press the new two-letter code that you’ve designated in the Settings. A green Vote Status light (iClicker remote) or a checkmark (iClicker 2 remote) will indicate to your students that they have successfully reset their remote frequency.

Note: For iClicker remotes, frequency settings are only temporary and the remote will reset itself to the default frequency of AA each time it is turned off. Students will need to repeat this procedure for every session. The iClicker 2 remote, however, remembers the last saved frequency. If your students change the frequency in your class and do not later change it again, the frequency does not need to be reset. The frequency code briefly appears on the LCD screen every time a student turns on their remote.

If you find changing the frequency of your iClicker base disruptive to the class, you can choose to display results from registered remotes only. This will prevent voting results from nearby classrooms to show up in the results chart.  
CAUTION: This method should only be used when all your students have registered their remotes. Otherwise, votes from unregistered students will not appear in the results display. Also note that this only affects the results chart display; the gradebook records all results.

To enable this feature, click Settings on the iClicker main window, select the Results tab, check Only display results from registered remotes and click Save.

Although iClicker only displays a single correct answer, you can award points for multiple correct answers by doing the following:

1. On the iClicker main window, click Open Gradebook.
2. Click the View link below the session you wish to adjust.
3. Navigate to the question by clicking either the question screenshot on the left or the arrow buttons on top right of the window.
4. Designate a correct answer for the question by either checking the box in front of the answer or typing the answer in the Correct answer box.
5. To assign another correct answer, double click on the points for that answer in the “Points” column, type in a value, and hit Enter.

You should now see points for both correct answers in the “Points” column (even though only one answer is checked). Students selecting either correct answer will get the points.

A variety of resources are available for instructors on the iClicker support site. Other than the documents available on this page, there are two user guides provided by iClicker company located in the iClicker software folder.

Concordia loans iClicker instructor kits (base receiver and instructor remote) and provides consultation and training to instructors. For more information or to request the equipment, contact the Service Desk.