iClicker Cloud

What is iClicker Cloud

iClicker Cloud is a tool that allows instructors to poll their class and gather real-time results. Instructors use a desktop application to ask multiple choice, short answer, numeric, or image target questions. Students answer these questions using their own computer or mobile device. Results are available in the form of graphs, tables, or an image showing student’s responses. Responses can also be graded and synced to the OWL Brightspace Grades tool.

What is the purpose of iClicker Cloud

Clickers encourage participation and are a tool for active learning. Clickers can be used to gauge the baseline knowledge of a class, and to show the progress of learning. For example, a clicker question can be asked at the beginning of class to let the instructor know how advanced the level of discussion should be. After class, the same question could be asked again to show that the students have grasped the knowledge from the lecture.

How to use iClicker Cloud

Instructors download the iClicker Cloud application at the iClicker website to run poll questions during class. Students sign-in to the application via the iClicker Student Portal or via the iClicker LTI link in an OWL site (available in both OWL Sakai and OWL Brightspace).

To get started using iClicker, visit the WTS iClicker support page.

Where to find Support

This tool is centrally supported

Support

For help, you can contact the WTS Helpdesk

Documentation

Documentation for this tool can be found on the WTS website.

Tool Evaluation

Functionality overall rating: 2 starsFunctionality

Rating Rationale
Scale rating: 2 stars

Scale

iClicker Cloud can scaled to accommodate any size class but lacks flexibility to create smaller sub-groups or communities of practice

Ease of use rating:3 stars

Ease of Use

iClicker Cloud has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and personalize .

Tech Support/ Help Availability rating: 3 stars

Tech Support/Help Availability

iClicker Cloud is institutionally supported for in-person or email based support, in addition to iClicker online support

Hypermediality rating: 3 stars

Hypermediality

iClicker Cloud allows users to communicate through different channels (audio, visual, textual) and allows for non-sequential, flexible/adaptive engagement with material

Accessibility overall rating: 2 starsAccessibility

Rating Rationale
AODA Friendly rating: 3 stars

AODA Friendly

iClicker Cloud supports compliance with AODA standards for accessibility (W3C WCAG 2.0 Standards), and makes it easy for materials to be made AODA-friendly. For more information, see REEF Education Accessibility
User Foused Participation rating: 3 stars

User-focused participation

iClicker Cloud is designed to address the needs of diverse users, their various literacies, and capabilities, thereby widening opportunities for participation in learning

Required Equipment rating: 2 stars

Required Equipment

Proper use of iClicker cloud requires a mobile device such as a laptop, mobile phone, or physical clicker.

Technical overall rating: 2 starsTechnical

Rating Rationale
OWL Integration rating: 3 stars

OWL Integration

iClicker Cloud can be embedded and fully integrated into OWL maintaining full functionality of the tool. There is a one time set up process involving copying a link from the iClicker Cloud software.

Operating Systems rating: 3 stars

Operating Systems

Instructors can effectively utilize the iClicker Cloud platform with any standard, up-to-date operating system (i.e. Windows 10, Apple OSX, etc.)

Web Browser rating: 2 stars

Web Browser

Instructors can effectively utilize the iClicker Cloud platform with any standard, up-to-date web browser (i.e. Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer 10 etc.)

Additional Tech Requirements rating: 2 stars

Additional Tech Requirements

Instructors require the iClicker cloud desktop software. Students can access the polling through either an iClicker app or through a web browser

Mobile Design overall rating: 2 star Mobile Design

Rating Rationale
Mobile Operating Systems rating: 3 stars

Mobile Operating Systems

iClicker cloud is fully functional with a range of electronic mobile devices (laptops, tablets, touchscreens, mobile devices, etc.).

Mobile Functionality rating: 3 stars

Mobile Functionality

iClicker cloud offers its fullest functionality with students’ use of the mobile app. Note: The physical clicker cannot be used to respond to target questions.

Offline Access rating: 2 star

Offline Access

Students can use physical iclicker remotes without being connected to the internet if the instructor has a base station connected. The mobile application does not function without internet connectivity.

Usage and account set up overall rating: 1 starsUsage and Account Set Up

Rating Rationale
Sign Up/Sign In rating: 1 stars

Sign Up/Sign In

All users (instructors and students) must create an external account or additional login, and/or personal information is collected and shared

Cost of Use rating:  2 stars

Cost of Use

Use of the iclicker cloud tool is free of charge for all Western instructors and students. However, there is a cost associated with the purchase of a physical clicker.

Archiving Saving and Exporting Data rating: 2 star

Archiving, Saving, and Exporting Data

Grade and participation data can be exported in a number of formats. However, the actual clicker polling data can not be exported from the iclicker cloud application.

Data Privacy and Ownership rating: 3 star

Data Privacy and Ownership

Users maintain ownership and copyright of their intellectual property/data; the user can keep data private and decide if/how data is to be shared

Social Presence overall rating: 2 starsSocial Presence

Rating Rationale
Collaboration rating: 3 stars

Collaboration

iClicker Cloud has the capacity to support a community of learning through both asynchronous and synchronous opportunities for communication, interactivity, and transfer of meaning between users

User Accountability rating: 3 stars

User Accountability

Instructors can control student anonymity; The tool provides technical solutions for holding students accountable for their actions

Diffusion rating: 2 star

Diffusion

Student familiarity with the tool is likely mixed, some will lack basic technical competence with its functions

Instructor Presence overall rating: 3 starsInstructor Presence

Rating Rationale
Facilitation rating:3 stars

Facilitation

iClicker cloud has easy-to-use features that would significantly improve an instructor’s ability to be present with students via activement, monitoring, and engagement

Customization rating: 3 stars

Customization

Given the range of questions and flexibility for use, iClicker cloud is adaptable to its environment and easily customized to suit the classroom context

Learning Analytics rating: 3 stars

Learning Analytics

Instructor can monitor students’ performance on a variety of responsive measures

Cognitive Presence overall rating: 3 starsCognitive Presence

Rating Rationale
Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s) rating: 3 stars

Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s)

Given iClicker cloud's flexibility with question types (i.e. target questions) and facilitation options, the tool has potential to enhance engagement in targeted cognitive task(s) that were once overly complex or inconceivable through other means

Higher Order Thinking rating: 3 stars

Higher Order Thinking

iClicker cloud easily facilitates students to exercise higher order thinking skills (given consideration to design, facilitation, and direction from instructor)

Feedback on Learning rating:3 stars

Feedback on Learning

Through iClicker cloud, students can regularly receive formative feedback on learning through their mobile app (i.e. they can track their performance, monitor their improvement, test their knowledge, etc.)

Security and Privacy

This tool has been formally reviewed by Western’s Technology Risk Assessment Committee

Security and Privacy Flags

Accounts

  • Users are required to create and use a non-Western account. It is highly recommended that users do not use the same username and password that is in use at Western.

Information Collection

  • Application collects information that could identify the user specifically (email address, class schedule, etc..)

EULA

  • Application's Terms of Conditions or End User License Agreement poses a risk of binding the institution to an agreement thereby requiring legal counsel to review the application. However, this is mitigated as it has undergone legal review during the Technology Risk Assessment process.

Integration

  • This application saves grading information independently from OWL

Last Updated: February 28, 2024


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