Overview of Student Response Systems at SFU
Student Response Systems, commonly referred to as clickers, encourage active learning in large classrooms, but can also be effective for stimulating small-group discussion. They allow students to provide immediate feedback to questions by means of wireless electronic devices. The results can be tabulated and displayed.
Student response systems enable faculty to:
- Create a comfortable environment in which all students can participate
- Increase student interaction, especially in large lecture halls
- Determine if students are understanding the material
Student response systems enable students to:
- Feel comfortable about answering questions in large classes because their responses are anonymous to other students
- Collaborate to form a response
- Compare their level of understanding with that of their peers
- Explore concepts in a fun and interactive way
Currently, the three student response systems most commonly used by SFU instructors are:
- iClicker
- Top Hat Monocle
- Poll Everywhere
Student Response System Costs
Top Hat 30CDN
iClicker remote 48CDN
iClicker student 15.99US
Cost of registering a used clicker 6.99US
For handheld systems cost is per semester.
iClicker
Website: www.iclicker.com
To get started: Contact Christina Drabik (cdrabik@sfu.ca) for an orientation and to receive a free base unit and instructor remote. Software can be downloaded at https://www.iclicker.com/downloads/.
Integration with SFU Canvas
You can choose to use Canvas Integration to manually download the roster from Canvas to iclicker software and for students to register their devices in Canvas. You can set up the integration with the following instructions:
or by contacting Christina Drabik (cdrabik@sfu.ca) for assistance.
ICLICKER CLASSIC INTEGRATION WITH CANVAS
Full integration is currently not available with iClicker classic. However, it is possible to download your gradebook from Canvas and reformat it to create the roster file. For further information, please contact Christina Drabik (cdrabik@sfu.ca).
MOBILE POLLING
Mobile polling is available through the iclicker student polling app. It is available for iOS and Android devices and is subject to the instructor permitting the use of mobile devices as a medium for submitting votes.
HOW DO STUDENTS PURCHASE A HANDHELD DEVICE?
Students can purchase a handheld device directly from the SFU Bookstore. Alternatively, used devices can be employed. Used devices are subject to a US$6.99 fee when they are registered through www.iclicker.com.
Frequencies at Burnaby Classrooms
Go to http://www.sfu.ca/canvas/instructors/clickers/fixed-frequency.html to see a list of all the classrooms in Burnaby where there is an iclicker base unit and a set frequency for that particular classroom.
Instructions on how to change frequency.
Top Hat Monocle
Website: www.tophat.com
Getting started: Top Hat is a mobile-only solution. Wireless connectivity in classrooms can fluctuate depending on device and usage load. It is highly recommended that you ensure that your teaching environment is equipped with adequate wireless connections and alternative solution can be deployed.
Canvas integration
Canvas Integration is available and no consent form is required because Top Hat and SFU have signed a privacy schedule. For more information, please contact Christina Drabik (cdrabik@sfu.ca).
Poll Everywhere
Website: www.polleverywhere.com
Departmental account (Beedie only)
Beedie School of Business instructors may contact Kar-On Lee at cal2@sfu.ca if they are interested in using Poll Everywhere in their classes.
Protocol for FIPPA compliance
We consulted with SFU's new privacy officer and we were given the recommendation that consent forms are no longer required but rather a Collection Notice is needed. The reason is iClicker has successfully moved all of their data servers onto AWS Canada.
You are required to display the following text to students before they register for i>Clicker. We recommend putting this in your long course outline or display to students in some manner before they register using the integration tool.
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iClicker (Macmillan Learning) collects your personal information on behalf of SFU under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSBC 1996, c. 165, section 26(c). The information collected includes your name, contact information, course information, and your interactions with iClicker. iClicker is used by SFU to facilitate engagement and interaction between the instructor and students in the classroom, score student responses, and/or record student attendance. Macmillan Learning's privacy policy is available here: https://store.macmillanlearning.com/us/privacy-notice.
If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information please contact the Centre for Educational Excellence, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, 778.782.7115.