iClicker and Canvas at BYU
A Guide for Instructors, Updated February 2020
Obtaining iClicker Base Units:
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Introduction
Canvas at Brigham Young University is ready for you to use iClickers in class. With iClicker, you can collect live attendance and response data from your students during class, making your teaching more interactive. Polling results can also be sent as assessment data to the Canvas gradebook, allowing you to award assignment credit for correct responses in class.
Here are some introductory things to know about iClicker, Canvas, and BYU:
- Setup is free and fairly simple for instructors using Canvas using iClicker software available for Windows and MacOS.
- Instructor software comes in two varieties: iClicker Classic (working with remotes only) and iClicker Cloud (working with remotes or students' personal devices, i.e. mobile phones and laptops)
- A separate base unit, which connects to the instructor's computer, is required for instructors with students using iClicker remotes. These base units are available for check-out by BYU instructors.
- The instructor's hardware and software setup determines which options (iClicker remotes, and/or personal devices) are available to students in a given class.
Getting Started, Making Decisions
First, you will need to decide which implementation of iClicker you will use in your class(es): iClicker Classic, or iClicker Cloud. Both systems are compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.
Below is a summary of features and requirements to help you decide:
iClicker Classic | iClicker Cloud | |
Available at BYU | Yes | Yes |
Requires an Internet connection | No | Yes |
Compatible with laptops and mobile devices | No | Yes |
Compatible with iClicker remotes | Yes, with a base unit connected | Yes, with a base unit connected |
Records attendance with GPS verification | No | Yes |
Extended question types | No | Yes |
Requires a base unit (available for check-out at BYU) | Yes | Only if using iClicker remotes |
Secure, 'devices-off' assessment | Yes, with iClicker remotes | With Focus, coming in 2020, mobile app will block use of other software during assessment |
Currently supported by iClicker | Yes | Yes |
iClicker Remotes: To Use or Not to Use
Whether to require iClicker remotes in your class will depend on what you want / need to do. Here are some considerations:
iClicker + |
iClicker 2 |
Laptop / mobile device (iClicker Reef app or Web service) |
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Relative cost |
Lower | Higher | No additional purchase (if student has compatible hardware) |
Display | No display | Simple display | Fully developed interface |
Base unit required | Yes | Yes | No |
Internet connection required | No | No | Yes |
General availability at BYU Store (check with BYU Store for most current stock information) | Yes | No | N/A |
Available for online purchase | Yes | Yes | iClicker Reef app- Free download on App Store, Google Play |
No-distractions quizzing | Helpful | Helpful | Difficult to monitor, but iClicker Focus (available in 2020) can lock-out other software |
Asynchronous quizzing (independent question navigation) | No | Yes | Yes |
Related questions
Is support available?
Yes! Support for iClicker is available through BYU OIT Links to an external site. (for instructors using Canvas LMS), BYU Center for Teaching and Learning Links to an external site. (for instructors using Learning Suite), and directly from iClicker Links to an external site..
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