Clickers - Student Response Systems

Overview

The Instructional Technology Lab supports two types of clickers, "i>Clicker" and "eInstruction PRS Clicker". Each clicker has it's strengths and weaknesses, please see information below to decide which option is best for your class environment.

Our recommendation is to have the software for the clicker installed on your laptop and bring your laptop to the presentation room. The appropriate software will be installed in the lecture halls but is not available at this time.

i>Clicker

i>Clicker is an student response system that instantly provides feedback from the students and posts the students answers to the questions posed by their instructor(s).

• Great solution for standard questions and answers, such as multiple choice.
• Each student uses a "clicker," a portable, handheld device that allows students to vote by "clicking" on the appropriate button for his/her choice.
• Each instructor uses a receiver that collects votes sent by students’ clickers. Light and portable, the receiver is powered through any computer’s USB port.
• Instructors present a question and enable polling.
• Each student responds by “clicking” the appropriate button for his or her choice.
• A wireless signal is sent immediately from each responding clicker to the receiver.
• The receiver, through iClicker’s easy-to-use software, logs and stores the data of each individual student.
• The instructor can then display voting results in a graph, to the audience.
• The results are also available for later analysis, grading, and exporting to any gradebook software or course management system.

PRS eInstruction RF Clicker

Using their radio-frequency clickers with a 2-line LCD screen, students can answer a wide variety of question formats and record their responses with a simple click of a button. eInstruction PRS RF is the most powerful and flexible student response system available. Using their radio-frequency clickers, students can answer questions and record their responses with a simple click of a button. From the smallest of classrooms to lecture halls with 2,000 students, PRS RF Clicker is a great solution for simple and complex questionning.

PRS RF Clickers have been designed to be as simple as possible both for the instructor and the student. Typically, instructors use the PRS PowerPoint add-in to add interactive questions to their presentations. During the presentation, when a slide with a clicker question comes up, an easy-to-use toolbar allows the instructor to start, pause, and stop the question, then review the results with the class. The students' experience with the clicker is no more complex than pressing the appropriate response on the clicker and hitting the send button. The screen on the clicker confirms to the student that the response was received, and optionally, if that response was correct.

• 2-line LCD screen
• Radio frequency technology
• Variety of question formats for more complex questions
  • multiple choice
  • true/false
  • numeric
  • short answer
  • multiple correct
  • rank order
  • decimal point
  • fractions and positive/negative numbers.
• Self Paced and Homework Modes
• Self-forming rosters
• Supports large classrooms up to 2,000 students
• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
• Blackboard Partner

Documentation and Software Downloads

• iClicker Quick Start PC Guide (PDF)
• iClicker Quick Start Mac Guide (PDF)
• iClicker User Manual PC Guide (PDF)
• iClicker User Manual Mac Guide (PDF)
• iClicker MyCourse PC Software
• iClicker MyCourse Mac Software

• eInstruction PRS Clickers Users Forum
• eInstruction PRS Clickers Users Guide
• eInstruction PRS Clickers Software

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Related FAQ's

Q: How many batteries do I need in my iClicker and how long will the batteries last?

A: Three AAA batteries are required for about 200 hours of use. Note that the iclicker will automatically turn off if it is powered on but it is not communicating with a receiver.

Q: The iClickers that students have are white in color. What are the blue iclickers?

A: Blue iclickers are for instructors. Currently, the blue and white iclickers have the same functionality.

Q: What's the warranty for the PRS RF Clickers? How long do the batteries last?

A: The PRS RF clickers come with a 1-year warranty from the date of purchase. The batteries (3xAAA) should last approximately 2 semesters, depending on use.

Q: Can the PRS RF Clickers be password-protected?

A: No. The PRS RF clicker cannot be password-protected.

Q: Can I arrange a demo for a faculty meeting?

A: Yes. Please email itl@uic.edu for info about arranging a demo.

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