PHYS 100 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
iClicker Information
Introduction
Participation in the PHYS 100 Lectures now requires the use of iClickers.
These radio-frequency remotes are keyed to each individual student. We use them to collect anonymous (to other students, but not to the staff) responses to questions asked in lecture.
Research has shown these to be very effective at improving student/lecturer interactions. Better the interactions between students and their lecturers improves student learning (which is what we care about). Improved student learning improves student grades (what you care about).
The bottom line: You need to get one at the bookstore (new or used), and bring it to every lecture (yes, including the first one).
Registration
Please register your iClicker in the student gradebook.
Points
You will receive five points of credit (out of 1000 total for the course) for every lecture in which you participate using the iClicker, up to a maximum of 11 of the 14 lectures (55 points maximum.). "Participate" means answering at least 75% of the questions (not necessarily correctly, though) asked in that lecture.
For every clicker question that you answer correctly, you earn bonus points. You can earn up to 33 bonus points in total. The 33 points are evenly distributed across the 14 lectures. In the calculation of your final grade, your bonus points are added to your Quest score with the caveat that the total Quest score cannot exceed 200 points.
NOTE: Although we encourage you to attend the lecture to which you are assigned (to keep the sizes balanced), you can get clicker credit at any of the lectures on a given day. However, each student can get credit for only one lecture per day. (This means that you should NOT share your clicker with another student registered for the same course -- only ONE student will get the credit.)
The awarded points (before final normalization) should show up (intermittently) in the gradebook.
How Do I Know If The System Registered My Answer?
There are two different versions of the iClicker:
- Version 1 (no LCD) will have a solid green light appear next to status when the system has successfully logged your answer.
- Version 2 (with LCD) will have a checkmark appear in the screen when the system has successfully logged your answer.
Batteries
The batteries should easily last the entire semester. In any event, if they are starting to go, the clicker will flash, letting you know; you should still have enough power for another few lectures after that, i.e., there's no good excuse for not getting new batteries.
FAQs
Q: I have purchased and registered an iClicker for Psych 100. Can I use it in this class also?
A: You can use any kind of iClicker in this class, old or new, but you must register it for Phys100 as well.
Q: How can I register my iClicker for this class?
A: You can register it in your course gradebook.
Q: My clicker always says "NO BASE" when I try to send a vote. What can I do?
A: Make sure your frequency is set to the frequency announced by your lecturer at the beginning of class.
Q: Do I have to change the frequency of the iClicker?
A: Your lecturer will announce the frequency used in the lecture hall. Make sure your iClicker is set to the frequency announced by your lecturer.
Q: How can I tell if my iClicker is working?
A: If a green light flashes on the models without the LCD screen, or if you see a check-mark on the LCD screen, then you can be sure that your vote was counted. If you don't see this you may be on the wrong frequency, or you may just need to vote again.