Clickers

In an effort to establish a well-supported, cost-effective use of clickers (“classroom interactive response systems”), and to assist with their integration across campus, USM has selected i>clicker as the standard USM Response System. The i>clicker system was chosen for its ease of use, accessibility compliance, and technical support.

What are Clickers?

Clickers, or Interactive Personal Response Systems, are small wireless handheld keypads resembling a TV remote control that allow students to respond to classroom questions, polls and quizzes. Instructors can instantly collect individual student responses and display the data back to the class in the form of charts. The collected data allows instructors to adjust instruction and provides students with prompt feedback.
Clickers are well suited for class discussion and have been shown to promote students’ interaction and engagement. Instructors using clickers have reported an increase in attendance, with students actively participating and better prepared for class.

USM Clicker Platform: i>clicker

The Classroom Response System includes a receiver which is attached to the instructor’s computer via USB and works with the i>clicker software to record students’ answers.  Students use a radio frequency response pad to send in their responses.

How Do I Get Started?

Instructors
First, instructors interested in implementing clickers should include this on their textbook adoption form for their course. The ISBN number that corresponds with the student i>clicker remote is 1429280476.  The bookstore will include clickers on the list of required equipment for your course. Instructors should also include this on their syllabus under Textbook Information or Required Materials for the Course. Students will purchase their clicker from the University Bookstore.

Second, you will need the i>clicker “instructor kit” to take to class. These kits are available to any Faculty member who incorporates i>clicker into their class.  These kits can be obtained by contacting our Regional i>clicker representative:

Mandy Gunnell * Amanda.Gunnell@macmillan.com * 1-321-945-0655

Information that you will need to provide i>clicker with to receive the base:

  • Your contact information (Name, Email, Phone, Address)
  • Department
  • Classes you teach
  • Estimated Enrollment for each class
  • Shipping address (they will mail the base directly to you)

Each kit includes a base station (receiver), one instructor remote, plus one extra student remote, as well as the software on a flash drive. The base station plugs into your computer, whether you are using your own personal computer, or teaching in one of the SMART rooms across campus.

The i>clicker kits are the property of USM. If you will no longer be using the i>clicker kit, please return the equipment to the Learning Enhancement Center.

For additional information regarding i>clicker use please visit the LEC Training Materials page.
Note: instructor kits contain a copy of the software (for both PC and Mac) on a USB flash drive, but may not have the most recent i>clicker software. Copy the software to your PC/Mac hard disk and run the provided Web_Update program.

Why use Clickers?
Used properly with well-designed questions, clickers have been found to enhance learning through increased interaction and motivation, and with students engaged in what is happening in class. Clickers also provide on-the-spot valuable data about students’ understanding of class material, allowing instructors to adjust instruction accordingly.

Benefits to students 
Students can…

  • Become active participants in class
  • Get instant feedback on their knowledge and/or comprehension
  • Receive instruction adapted to their immediate needs
  • Find out how they measure up to the rest of the class
  • Voice their opinion without apprehension or embarrassment
  • Express themselves in spite of shyness
  • Identify areas they need to improve on

Benefits to Faculty
Faculty can…

  • Gather data to gauge students’ comprehension before moving on
  • Poll students and display class results instantly
  • Enhance large lecture class with increased student participation and interaction
  • Increase students’ understanding and retention of topics by keeping them engaged
  • Allow anonymity on controversial questions
  • Provide feedback to students on their understanding
  • Check if students can apply a concept to a different context
  • Transform one-way teacher lecture into teacher-student interaction
  • Get a large volume of individual answers immediately
  • Reduce time on administrative tasks such as grading and taking attendance

Getting Help

For support and training, visit the i>clicker Web site.