How to Set Up iClicker Software
Before iClickers can be used to collect student responses, remember the following:
- Setup of iClicker software is necessary.
- A different copy of the software is needed for each course each semester.
For example, you may have a copy for a previous course, but you will need another copy for the current semester's course, as well as for all sections of a course using iClickers.
*Keep a blank copy of the software on your H: drive and in each folder for each class and section. If a new copy is needed, download one free from the iClicker website at http://www.iclicker.com/dl/dl.html. Software updates are also available online. View the example of software before course customization.
After the iClicker software has been successfully installed, you must set up a base unit.
- Base units for iClickers are in the classrooms where iClickers are used.
- Base units should already be plugged in to the computer. If not, you can connect the base to the computer through a USB port.
Familiarize yourself with your classroom, hardware, and software for iClicker before your first class. If there are problems with setup, contact the HelpDesk at 836-5711. Greg Rineck can also be reached at 836-6017 or at rineckga@uwec.edu.
How to Use the iClicker During a Presentation
- Open the folder containing your copy of the iClicker software for the course and section.
- Double-click on the iclicker.exe file at the start of class.
- Select "Start Session" from the main menu.
- A floating bar screen will appear in the top left corner of the screen. You can run other applications, such as PowerPoint, on the screen at the same time.
- Click in the top corner of your screen to view a drop-down menu and access other functions while the iClicker program is running.
Making the iClicker Work
- Students must turn on iClickers at the beginning of class.
- iClickers must be set to the correct frequency for the room.
- The instructor's remote, if used, must also be turned on and set to the correct frequency.
- The frequency can be set for the iClicker program in "Your Settings and Preferences."
Using the iClicker to Take a Poll
- Select the start button.
- A timer (green) will begin below the Display button, allowing you to monitor the time.
- Number of responses are displayed below the "Loan/Register" button.
- The "Stop" button ends the poll.
iClicker Student Voting
- "Vote Status" light on student remote will flash a color.
- Green indicates the vote was received successfully.
- Red indicates a vote was not successfully recorded.
- Responses can be changed by simply pressing a different letter.
- When you end the current poll, the students' remotes will flash red three times, and no more votes will be accepted.
Viewing Graphical Results
- Hit "Display" to view graphical results.
- Hit "Hide" to hide the graph of the last question.
- This will take the place of "Display" when a graph is on the screen.
- To designate 1 correct answer, click on the bar that corresponds to the correct answer.
- The correct bar will turn green while the incorrect bars will turn red.
Student iClicker Registration
Students must to register their iClickers before credit for responses can be awarded. Before students can register their remotes, the instructor must first set up a roster file on their iClicker software.
- In the iClicker software, the file "Roster.txt" is present.
- After the space with exclamation points, erase any default names.
- Cut and paste the class's getlist into the roster file.
- Students can be added later on in the following format: Last name, first name, student ID.
- For each copy of the software and for each course section, the roster file needs to be updated.
Once the roster file is updated, there are two ways that students can register their iClicker remotes.
- Roll call registration: done during a class.
- Input registration manually: if a student misses roll call registration, or they are using a borrowed iClicker remote.
Roll Call Registration
- Open "Loan Clickers" screen from the main menu.
- Select "Roll Call". You can manually input information for each remote.
- Student information will scroll down the screen.
- Names in the blue section have a letter next to them, which the corresponding student must press.
- Students then have to press a second letter to confirm their registration.
- Once these two letters are pressed, the student's remote ID will be linked to their information.
- If a student accidentally presses a button or presses the incorrect letter, they may enter DD to clear the registration.
You may change the student information that scrolls down in "Your Settings And Preferences."
Input Registration Manually
- From the iClicker main menu, select "Loan Clickers." If iClicker is in compact mode, select "Loan/Register Clickers" from the arrow drop-down menu.
- Input the remote ID and select the correct student information from the drop-down list. Remember to add new students to the roster list before attempting to register their remotes.
- Select either "For the Term (Permanent)" or "For One Session (Loan)."
Students can respond until they register. Responses will be retroactively assigned based on their iClicker remote ID #, which the base records. Unregistered responders may be viewed in the iGrader program. Use iGrader to assign point values once students are registered.
