Clicker is the nickname for what are also called "classroom response units" or "group response systems". The system consists of a small remote control device (the clicker) used by the student to submit responses to questions posed in class, and a receiver (operated by the instructor) that collects the responses. The professor asks a question, and the students use the clicker to respond. The answers are compiled at the receiver end, and the summary is immediately available.
In 2008 UW adopted the i-Clicker (http://www.iclicker.com) as the officially supported clicker for campus. At this time, both Laurier and Guelph also use the i-Clicker.
How can I try clickers to see if I want to use them?
For more information on why and how to integrate clickers in your course, please contact your CTE Faculty Liaison. Who is my CTE Faculty Liaison? http://cte.uwaterloo.ca/who_we_are/staff.html
Best practices information (UW Net Savvy site): http://netsavvy.uwaterloo.ca/blog/clickers.html
If I know I want to use i-Clickers, what do I need to get started?
- The Bookstore:
- They sell the i-Clickers to students, so please send your students there to purchase new or used i-Clickers.
- At the Bookstore web site, indicate in your course materials information that your course will use clickers, and whether the clickers are optional or required. Go to the Bookstore's "Information for Faculty", and follow the instructions to fill out a form under Textbook and Clicker Adoptions. For more information, contact Shawn Gilbertson (ext. 36078).
- Inform your students that clickers are to be used for the course. You use your course syllabus, announcements in UW-ACE, and other ways to send the message. Indicate how they will be used; for example, if they are optional or required, and if they will factor in the grade. Set aside time during your class to inform your students of your intended use. For more advice, see the Net Savvy best practices information above.
- Your CTE Faculty Liaison can help you obtain or request set-up of a receiver. Receivers will be installed in the classroom in which you teach, or can be installed on your own laptop. Paul Kates (x37047) is the primary support person for the clickers in CTE and will coordinate the installation.
- Make sure you have training to allow you to feel comfortable using the i-Clicker! Paul Kates will walk you through use in the e-classroom or help with a laptop installation.
Where can I get support?
Instructors
- For initial setup, support, and training requests, contact your CTE Faculty Liaison (http://cte.uwaterloo.ca/who_we_are/staff.html).
- For questions involving UW-ACE integration, contact uwacehelp@uwaterloo.ca.
- For technical problems arising in the e-classroom, call the e-classroom help line (ext. 33233, which is documented on every centrally scheduled e-classroom podium). The support staff will know about the set-up, but not about the software and use of clickers, so please make sure you have received training on how to use them.
Students
- For registration issues, speak with your instructor.
- For clicker equipment not functioning properly, return to the Bookstore.
How much do they cost?
For the price of i-Clicker units, please contact Shawn Gilbertson at the Bookstore (sgilbert@uwaterloo.ca).
Subject to availability, students have the option to purchase a used i-Clicker. Used i-Clickers may be sold back to the Bookstore, provided:
- There is sufficient demand.
- The unit is the most current version.
- The serial number for registration is legible.
- The clicker is in clean and resalable condition.
- There is no charge for the receiver.
What if I'm using a different clicker?
In 2008 UW decided to centrally support one clicker system, the i-Clicker. You may use other clickers if you choose, but we are not able to offer support for them.
