The Bruin Learn Center for Excellence is thrilled to announce that starting Summer 2023 instructors and students will be able to use the web-based and mobile versions of iClicker, an interactive polling tool used widely across UCLA, at no cost.
Thank you to the many faculty and instructors who have advocated for a robust polling tool free for students that integrates easily with the Bruin Learn gradebook. Thank you also to the working groups tasked with securing an institutional license and planning for implementation, and UCLA leadership for supporting this initiative to meet the needs of our instructional community.
Previously, students had to either purchase a physical iClicker remote or buy a subscription to use the iClicker with their own device (laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.).
When is the change happening?
Beginning on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, students will be able to create or merge an account and use iClicker without any cost. This date is one-week prior to the start of the Summer 2023.
What should I tell my students for the Spring Quarter 2023?
If you require iClicker as part of your course materials for the Spring Quarter 2023, have your students visit the Macmillan storefront for a one-quarter discounted subscription.
For physical iClicker remotes, please work with the UCLA Store for options.
How does this change benefit the UCLA community?
- Students: Reduces their cost for course materials.
- Instructors: A campus-wide tool that promotes engagement, with the potential for facilitating peer learning, which is one of the most evidence-based teaching practices. Instructors see increased student engagement when students answer questions individually and then discuss amongst their peers.
- Everyone: Provides UCLA with a campus-wide, centrally supported platform for polling and engagement with support and training.
How can iClicker help with engagement?
While no instructor will be required to use iClicker in their course, here are some reasons why you might want to give it a try if you have not already:
- Polling allows you to hear from ALL students in your course instantly. Mobile and web-based question formats include multiple choice, open-ended, and more.
- You can use polling to help students interact with each other to check their understanding of the material. [Learn more about the benefits of peer instruction, an evidence-based teaching practice].
- Use polling to get feedback in the moment and make adjustments to meet your students where they are.
- Polling provides an easy mechanism to check attendance and provide points for participation that syncs to the Bruin Learn Gradebook.
What about iClicker remotes?
When using iClicker Cloud, instructors have the option to allow students to submit their responses from an iClicker remote, student-technologies (laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.) or both. iClicker remotes will still function but most users prefer the iClicker Cloud with their own devices.
We are working with campus partners on establishing a program for iClicker remotes when instructors prefer to use this option. However, allowing student responses through laptops, tablets, and smartphones using iClicker Cloud simplifies setup for instructors by not requiring a base station to collect responses from iClicker device.
What actions do students need to take?
Students have also received the communication along with the additional guidance.
“If your instructor is using iClicker in Spring Quarter 2023 quarter, please consider only purchasing the app for one term as this will be available free starting in the Summer 2023. Visit the Macmillan storefront for discounted access.
If you currently own an iClicker remote – further instructions will be provided this summer.“
What actions do instructors need to take in preparation for Summer 2023?
Instructors who have used iClicker before should update their course syllabus and any other Bruin Learn pages that refer to iClicker costs for Summer 2023 and beyond.
More detailed communications will be sent out closer to Summer 2023.
What if my school, department, or unit offers a different tool for polling?
This change does not affect any other polling tools that your unit may use, though we encourage all instructors to consider adopting iClicker to take advantage of our campus license.
Questions? Please send questions to bruinlearn-support@it.ucla.edu.
Thank you,
Lucy Avetisyan
Associate Vice Chancellor
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology Services
Ilana Intonato
Director, Bruin Learn Center of Excellence (CoE)
Information Technology Services