i>clicker
Frequently Asked Questions
For Students
Why is a clicker required for my class?
Like many instructors,
yours has decided (and studies have confirmed) that incorporating this
technology improves classroom interaction, discussion, and ultimately your and
your fellow students’ comprehension and learning.
Are there other benefits?
Yes. These include
maintaining attention during a lecture, creating a safe environment for unsure
students to participate, and transforming a passive learning environment into
an active one, among many others.
What if I bought a used book and the
bookstore only has i>clicker remotes in new book packages?
Simply go to your
bookstore, and tell them that you need to place an order for a stand-alone
i>clicker remote. Give them ISBN 0-7167-7939-0, and tell them that the
manufacturer is Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. You have to give the bookstore the ISBN and the
manufacturer in order for them to place the order. The bookstore will then give you
an idea of cost and when you can return to pick it up. Bookstore policies
vary, so you may be asked to pay for the remote before they will place the
order. Bookstore prices vary, but your stand-alone i>clicker remote will
not cost less than $25.
How do I turn on my i>clicker?
Once you remove your
clicker from its packaging, you will need to pull the tab on the back of it to
activate the batteries. On the front of your clicker you will notice there are
6 options: A, B, C, D, E, and On/Off. The On/Off button is what you choose to
both turn it on (resulting in a sold blue light by the “Power” indicator at the
top of your clicker) and off (removing the solid blue light).
Do I have to register my i>clicker?
Not
necessarily. Your instructor has the option of allowing you to use your clicker
without registering it. For example, he/she may simply wish to receive
classroom feedback without knowing how each individual student responded. Your
responses would be
stored and credited to your clicker number, which is located on the back of your
clicker, rather than to you. If your instructor then determines that he/she
would like the feedback to be credited to each student, you would register and
all your previously responses would be retroactively assigned to you.
How do I register my i>clicker?
There are two easy ways
to register your clicker. Your instructor will direct you to either register in
class, as a roll call, or you can register online.
What is the cost of registering my i>clicker?
There is no cost. After
purchasing your clicker, it is yours to use in as many classes as required
without any additional costs or recurring registration fees.
Could my responses be confused with others?
No. Your remote ID is
unique and once registered will only associate to your student ID.
Do I get credit for my responses?
This is a decision your
instructor will make. He/she has the option to assign participation points, or
to assign points for correct responses, or to simply use your response for
attendance purposes.
What if I am having problems with my i>clicker?
There is a standard
one-year limited warranty available with each clicker. If the problem occurs
during class, let your instructor know immediately. He or she may have a loaner
clicker available for you to use for the duration of the class. If your clicker
is defective, your process of returning it will depend upon how you obtained
it. If you purchased it through your bookstore, you may return it to the
bookstore. If a particular department on your campus provided it to you, you
will need to check with that department to determine their replacement policy. If
you purchased a previously-used clicker, you will need to consult with that
particular source for replacement options.
Is technical support available?
Yes, there is technical
support available for students. You can either call our Technical Support Center toll free at 866-209-5698, or you can send an email with your particular concern
to support@iclicker.com.
How do I know if my vote has been received?
On the top of your
clicker are three light indicators (Power, Low Battery, and Status). The
“Status” light will flash green, indicating your vote has been received and
confirmed. A red flashing light indicates that your vote was not received and
you will need to vote again. Additionally, your clicker will flash red if your
instructor has not begun polling.
Can I change my response?
You are able to change
your response as long as the polling remains active. During an active polling
period, i>clicker records your last response. Once your instructor turns it off,
any response changes will not be received (and your “Status” light will flash
red).
How long will my batteries last?
The battery life is
approximately 200 hours. The “Low Battery” light will flash red when you need
to replace your batteries. Once this light begins flashing, you have less than
10 hours of battery power remaining. Your clicker uses 3 AAA batteries, which
are inexpensive to replace.
How do I change my
batteries?
On the back of your i>clicker is a small slot. You will need to
insert a key or other similar device (such as the clasp on a pen) to release
the covering, allowing you to remove and replace the batteries.
What if I forget to turn off my i>clicker?
The clicker will remain
on for 90 minutes as long as there is an activated base in your classroom. If
you leave class and forget to turn off your clicker, it will automatically turn
off after 5 minutes. In fact, it will automatically turn itself off even if a
particular button is being continually compressed.
Will my clicker work in other classes?
Yes, as long as your
instructor is also using i>clicker software and hardware. There are
other clickers available on the market (none of which are cross-compatible), so
you will need to confirm this with your instructor.