Getting Started with iClicker Cloud for Instructors


Table of Contents

Overview of iClicker

The iClicker audience response system (ARS) uses a handheld remote to collect student answers to instructor questions. Responses are recorded and shown in real time on the instructor’s computer. You can use iClicker Cloud to record student attendance, create opportunities for engagement through polling, and even offer low-stakes quizzing.

iClicker can provide instant, anonymous feedback or support active learning by awarding participation and performance credit.

Checklist before the semester starts

If you made the decision to use iClicker in your class, here is a checklist that you should complete before the semester starts.

Step 1: Add iClicker requirement to your course in eCampus FAST

If you wish to adopt iClickers in your class, please follow the instructions below to communicate with your students that iClicker will be a required tool for the course:

  1. log in to the eCampus FAST tool
  2. select the appropriate semester
  3. select the appropriate course
  4. add ISBN 9781319152956

For more information, please visit eCampus FAST Adoption Tool.

Step 2: Get your iClicker Instructor Kit

Contact the Instructional Media Lab at instruct@umass.edu to reserve an iClicker Instructor Kit and to schedule an iClicker introduction session.

Your Instructor Kit contains the following:

Step 3: Download and install the iClicker Cloud Desktop

The iClicker Cloud desktop application is how to run sessions and upload grades to your LMS. It is available for Windows and macOS devices.

  1. Navigate to https://www.iclicker.com/downloads/iclicker-cloud/
  2. Select the download that corresponds to your device’s operating system
  3. Follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

Step 4: More resources & tips

  1. Schedule a session with the IDEAS - ID team at instruct@umass.edu to develop effective strategies for your course.
  2. Prepare a backup plan for potential technical issues.

Create an iClicker instructor account

  1. Open the iClicker Cloud desktop application. The iClicker Cloud Sign in window will open.
  2. Select Create Account. The Create Account window will open.
  3. Enter University of Massachusetts Amherst in the Search and Select Institution field.
  4. Select University of Massachusetts Amherst.
  5. Select Instructor for the Primary Role drop-down menu.
  6. Additional fields will appear.
  7. Input your profile information, including your UMass email address and creating a password.
  8. Enter your iClicker Instructor remote (blue remote) number.
  9. Note: If your remote number is unavailable, you can add it to your iClicker profile later.
  10. Select Create Account. 

Create an iClicker Cloud course

  1. Open the iClicker Cloud desktop application.
  2. From the logged in Course Dashboard, create your first course by clicking the + New Course button.
  3. Select Full Course for Course Type. (It’s recommended that instructors not only use iClicker for attendance since students need to invest in either a remote or student cloud account.)
  4. Enter your course subject for Course Discipline.
  5. Enter your course’s name for Course Name. 
  6. Enter the first day your class will meet for the Start Date.
  7. Enter the last day your class will meet for the End Date. (It’s recommended that instructors should select the End Date 1 or 2 days later than the actual course end date as the iClicker course will get automatically archived on the End Date that you selected here.)
  8. Select the option that you would like to use for Enrollment. (We recommend the option “Students must be invited to this course.)
  9. Optional: Course ID is the Class Number of your course in SPIRE
  10. Optional: Term equals to e.g. Spring 2025
  11. Optional: Enter your meeting pattern for meeting times.
  12. Select Create. You will return to the Courses window, and your course will appear under Courses.

Configure the settings of your iClicker course

You can set how responses and scoring will be aggregated, connect your iClicker Cloud course to your LMS, and even set which kinds of devices your students can use to respond to your polling.

Devices

Instructors can choose whether students can use mobile devices or physical remotes only for iClicker activities. 

  1. Select the Devices tab in the iClicker Cloud Course Settings window.
  2. Select the devices that you will allow your students to use for Device Types.
  3. Select Save to save your settings. You will return to the Courses window. 

Attendance

Students using a physical iClicker remote are marked present after responding to at least one poll or quiz question.

  1. Select Attendance on the top menu.
  2. Take Attendance with Class Sessions. You can leave this on if you want to use iClicker to take attendance
  3. Location：we recommend the option “No, I do not want to require location.”
  4. Click on the Save button at the right bottom corner.

Polling

iClicker scoring is divided into 2 options: Participation and Performance. Participation awards a set point value based on the number of times students respond, regardless of the correctness of their answer. Performance awards points based on the number of times they respond and/or the number of correct responses they submit.

  1. Select the Polling tab in the iClicker Cloud Course Settings window.
  2. Configure the Participation and/or Performance based on your planned usage For Scoring.
  3. For Session Participation:
    1. Enter the maximum point value for participating in a class session in the Participants points field.
    2. Use the dropdown menu to select the percentage of times students must respond in a session to receive participation credit.
  4. For Session Performance:
    1. Enter the score for each correct response for Points for a correct response.
    2. Enter the score for each response, correct or incorrect for Points for responding.
    3. Use the Total points per question to confirm the performance points are configured as you expected.
  5. Select Save to save your settings. You will return to the Courses window.

Very Important: Before you move to Integration, SAVE all the settings first. Otherwise Integration will wipe out all the existing selections for other settings.

Connect an iClicker Cloud course to your Canvas course

  1. Select Integrations on the top menu.
  2. Click on the Set up Integration. The iClicker Cloud web application will be opened in the browser. 
  3. Click on Connect to Canvas. 
  4. Click on Go to Canvas. Log into Canvas.
  5. Click on Authorize for iClicker Advanced Sync. 
  6. Select the Canvas course you want the iClicker grades to be imported into.
  7. Select the section of students as needed or select the whole class.
  8. Finish the set up by clicking on the Sync Roster Now.
  9. Once the course integration is completed, you can then customize how you want the iClicker grades to show up in the Canvas gradebook and other grade settings.
  10. When finished, click on the Save button on the top.

Need help now?

The IDEAS team offer drop-in support Monday through Friday, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM:

For questions or to schedule a dedicated appointment, please email us at instruct@umass.edu.