Learning Systems

Information for students: how, where & who

How can I find out if I'll need a clicker for a certain course?

Look up your course on the UVic Book Store web site; if an iclicker is required, it will be listed along with the text books for that course.

 Where can I buy a clicker?

The UVic Book Store sells new and used iclicker remotes. Please contact them directly for details about pricing.

The iclickers available at the UVic Book Store as of September 2011 look different. Will I be able to use them the same way as the older units? What if I own an older remote – will I need to buy a new one?

The UVic Book Store now sells second-generation iclickers (if you are buying a brand-new unit). These new devices have an LCD display and are capable of submitting alpha-numeric responses in addition to multiple-choice ones (first-generation devices were restricted to the latter).

Second-generation iclicker remotes are fully compatible with first-generation iclicker systems and can be used in the exact same way as first-generation remotes. First-generation remotes are also compatible with second-generation iclicker systems used in multiple-choice mode.

If you own a first-generation remote, you should not have to purchase a new unit. All teachers who adopt iclickers have been strongly encouraged to restrict themselves to multiple-choice iclicker questions in classes where there is a mix of first- and second-generation remotes. However, please note that we cannot enforce this as a rule; any concerns of this nature should be discussed directly with teachers or the academic departments with which they are affiliated.

 How do I sell my used clicker?

The UVic Book Store also buys second-hand iclickers for about half the price of a new one. Please contact them directly for details about their buy-back programme.

 Can a single clicker be used by more than one person?

Yes, as long as each person uses the clicker in a different class. Two or more students can even register the same iclicker serial number. What is not possible is for a single student to register more than one clicker.

 How do I register my clicker (so my instructors know that I voted in class)?

There are two ways to register iclicker remotes:

1. go to uvic.ca/iclickerreg – sign in with your NetLink credentials and you should be taken directly to the iclicker registration page; or
2. log into the UVic portal (uvic.ca) and click on:
   My page > Student Services > iClicker

Note: Iclicker serial numbers do not contain letter O's, only number 0's.

Do not register your clicker at the iclicker.com web site, as UVic instructors will only synchronize their iclicker rosters with the university's own registration system.

If you are required to register your iclicker for one or more UVic courses, please note that you must follow the instructions above even if you had previously registered it at iclicker.com.

You must also re-register a second-hand iclicker remote – simply by following the instructions above – or else it will continue to be associated with the person who used to own it.

Does my iclicker registration ever expire? Do I need to re-register my clicker every term?

The short answers to both questions are 'no' and 'no'. If you have registered your iclicker following the process detailed above (i.e. not at iclicker.com), your registration will only expire if you register a different iclicker serial number to your name – or no serial number at all.

How do I change my iclicker batteries?

First-generation remotes
On the back of your iclicker is a small slot. You will need to insert a paper clip or similar device (such as the tip of a pen) to release the battery cover, allowing you to remove and replace the batteries. Unless you have a battery tester, it is a good idea to replace all three batteries.

On occasion, the third battery will stick in the compartment and a tap will be required to release it.

Do not use Duracell batteries, as they are slightly shorter than other batteries and may cause your iclicker remote to work erratically, or not at all.

Note: We have observed that, with first-generation iclicker remotes, the middle battery (i.e. the one sandwiched between the two other batteries) tends not to lose as much charge as the other two. If you have a battery tester, you may well be able to re-use the middle battery.

Second-generation remotes
A simple sliding cover in the lower part of the back of your remote can be removed to expose the two AAA batteries that power the device. If you own a battery tester, it's a good idea to check whether both batteries are actually dead.

 My clicker's serial number has rubbed off. How can I retrieve it?

If you have a first-generation iclicker remote, just take it to the main Help Desk (Clearihue building, room A004) or to the UVic Book Store and they should be able to help you recover your serial number (a.k.a. remote ID) in a few seconds, provided your batteries are not dead.

If you have a second-generation iclicker remote, the serial number is displayed on the unit's LCD when you switch it on. (After a few seconds, the serial number is replaced with the word 'ready'.)

 My clicker has stopped working. Where can I have it fixed?

More often than not, iclicker remotes that seem to be defective simply need new batteries. Please refer to the section above on how to replace batteries.

If you've already replaced the batteries and your clicker still doesn't work, check whether it is under warranty (new clickers carry a limited one-year warranty), in which case you should contact the vendor from whom you purchased it. Please note that used iclicker remotes sold by the UVic Book Store are not covered by any warranty.

UVic is unable to repair iclicker remotes or provide any other kind of hardware support. For technical assistance with remotes, please call i>clicker at 1-866-209-5698.

 Will I get marks for voting in class with my clicker?

It is up to your teacher to decide whether or not to assign marks to polling activities using iclickers. Please contact her/him directly with questions about grading.

How do I know if my votes are being received by the base station?

First-generation remotes
Your unit has three LEDs: "power", "low battery" and "vote status". If you click a button (A to E) and the vote status LED flashes red, your vote has not been received; if it goes green, your vote has been received successfully.

Second-generation remotes
If a tick mark is displayed on the unit's LCD, your vote has been received by the base station. If instead you see a crossed-out circle and the words 'no base' on the LCD, your vote has not been received.

Both generations
If your vote is note being received by the base station, there are three possibilities:

• a polling session is not currently under way, i.e., your instructor has not initiated a polling session yet, or has already ended it (by far the most likely explanation);
• your instructor – possibly by mistake – has set the base station to a radio frequency other than the default, which is AA (see instructions below on how to change your clicker's frequency); or
• you are too far from the base station (extremely unlikely, as the transmission range of an iclicker is enough for even the largest lecture theatre on campus).

How do I change the frequency of my iclicker remote?

In the unlikely event that your instructor decides to set the iclicker base station to a frequency other than the default (AA), you will need to set the frequency of your remote accordingly. In order to do that, follow the instructions below.

First-generation remotes
Press and hold your remote's on/off button until the power LED starts blinking. Release the on/off button and press the sequence of two letters corresponding to the desired frequency. As soon as you press the second letter, if the operation has been successful, the "vote status" LED will flash green and the power LED will stop blinking. If the "vote status" flashes red after you press the second letter, either the base station is not in 'receive mode' (a polling session must be under way in order for this operation to work) or you pressed the wrong sequence (i.e. a frequency that is different from what the base station has been set to).

Second-generation remotes
Press and holdyour remote's on/off button until you see 'set freq' on the LCD and two blinking letters corresponding to the current frequency code. Release the on/off button and press the sequence of two letters corresponding to the desired frequency. If you see a tick mark on the LCD, the new frequency has been successfully set; if you see a crossed-out circle instead, either the base station is not in 'receive mode' (a polling session must be under way in order for this operation to work) or you pressed the wrong sequence (i.e. a frequency that is different from what the base station has been set to).