iClicker Cloud Student Guide

iClicker Cloud logo

iClicker Cloud is an online student response system that allows you to respond to polls and quizzes during a class session, using your own computer or mobile device. Your instructor receives the responses instantly and may share these results and/or the correct answers, either during the class session or afterward.

Access Immediate You can set up an iClicker account and then use this account to log in to iClicker.
Bandwidth Yes Low demand on internet connections.
Privacy Yes Verified by UBC’s Privacy Impact Assessment process.

What will I use it for?

Your instructor may have you use iClicker for a variety of activities:

  • Test your understanding or opinions at different points in the class session
  • Support peer instruction, wherein you answer a question, discuss it in small groups, and answer again
  • Report your attendance at a class session
  • Study using the polls and quizzes outside of class sessions

A note about iClicker Cloud

You should not need to share your location through your computer or mobile device to participate in iClicker Cloud sessions. The location requirement feature in iClicker Cloud is not currently covered by UBC’s privacy assessment, and instructors should not require you to use it.

This tool guide was last reviewed in December 2022 with version 5.3.0 of iClicker Cloud.

What do I need to use iClicker Cloud?

A supported web browser

iClicker runs in your web browser and supports using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. iClicker works on desktop or laptop computers, as well as mobile devices. You may find it easiest to use iClicker on a mobile device, especially if you are using your computer for other course activities.


A UBC iClicker student account

You will need to create an iClicker account that is associated with UBC, as outlined below.

Tips

  • The student version of iClicker Cloud is often called iClicker Student (formerly iClicker Reef). But don’t worry, these terms refer to the same tool.
  • You do not need a physical iClicker remote to respond to questions, as you did if you used the previous iClicker Classic. You will respond in your web browser instead.
  • If you encounter issues connecting to iClicker, you can try to fix them yourself using the iClicker troubleshooting tips.

How do I use iClicker Cloud?

You will need to set up an iClicker account to get started. Then you will sync up your iClicker and Canvas courses, join a live class session, and participate in the iClicker activities that your instructor provides.

Click any bar below to find instructions and tips for setting up and participating with iClicker Cloud.

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Set up an iClicker account

  1. Go to the iClicker student account creation page.
  2. Type "UBC" as your primary institution, choose University of British Columbia from the drop-down list, and click Next.
  3. Enter the rest of your information.
    • Note that you do not have to use your UBC email. Your email does need to match the default email for your Canvas account.
    • You can optionally enter your student number as your student ID.
  4. Once you are ready, agree to the privacy policy/terms of use and use of personal information, then click Create Account.
    • If you are not comfortable agreeing to these items with your regular email address, you can set up an anonymized email address to use instead.
  5. You now have an account and are ready to add a course.

Tips

  • You only need to complete these steps once. After your UBC account is made, you can use the same account to access any UBC courses that have iClicker activities.
  • You can check if you have an existing iClicker account by trying to log in at student.iclicker.com. However, please do not add courses directly after logging in to iClicker, or your grades will not sync properly with Canvas. Instead, add your courses through Canvas, as outlined in the next accordion section.

Add an iClicker course to your account

Most instructors will use iClicker with Canvas. To ensure your grades sync properly between the tools, you will need to add the iClicker course to your account using Canvas. This process is the only way to receive grades for iClicker activities in the course.

  1. Once you have an iClicker account, log in to your Canvas course and click iClicker Sync in the Course Navigation.
    • If you don't see the iClicker Sync option in your Course Navigation, contact your instructor. This sync needs to be enabled in the Canvas course for you to see it.
  2. An iClicker Reef page will open in your web browser. Click Launch iClicker Reef.
  3. If prompted, log in using the details you created in setting up your iClicker account, then click Launch iClicker Reef again.
  4. You should see the course in your list of courses.

Tips

  • To receive grades for iClicker activities, you must add each course that uses iClicker with the iClicker Sync in Canvas. Please do not add courses by logging in to iClicker directly, unless your instructor specifically tells you to.
  • If you do not see the course that you tried to add in your list of courses in iClicker, follow the steps here again. Sometimes a second attempt will fix any problems.
  • Once you’ve added the course through Canvas, you can log in directly to student.iclicker.com and participate through your web browser in the iClicker activities.

Join a class session in iClicker

After you add a course to your account, you will join that course in iClicker each time there is a class session to attend.

  1. Log in to iClicker at student.iclicker.com using your iClicker account email and password.
  2. Select your course from the main screen.
  3. Click Join when it appears on your screen (it may take a minute to show up). Note that this button only displays once your instructor has started the class in iClicker and may not be available if you log in early.
  4. You will see a confirmation message, and your instructor will see you have joined the class.

Tips

  • Joining a class session marks you as present in the attendance record and enables you to participate in the iClicker activities during class, such as answering polls and quizzes.
  • The time when you join a class session is also recorded for your instructor to see, so try not to be late!
  • Not all instructors track attendance with iClicker; ask if you are not sure. And know that no instructors should track attendance by requiring you to share your location through your computer or mobile device.

Participate in iClicker activities

When your instructor initiates an iClicker activity in the class session, you will see the question and options for responding to it in the iClicker interface.

  1. Once you have logged in to iClicker at student.iclicker.com and joined the class session, wait for your instructor to initiate an activity.
  2. When an activity starts, you will see a question and your options for responding:
    • For polls, you will be able to answer a single question in one of several ways, depending on how your instructor has set it up: by choosing one or more multiple-choice items, writing a short answer (up to 140 characters), typing a numeric answer, or clicking part of an image.
    • For quizzes, you will answer a set of questions by choosing a multiple-choice item for each, then reviewing and submitting all your answers together.
  3. Follow the prompts on screen to send in each answer. You will see an “Answer Received” for each, or a quiz submitted confirmation once you’ve submitted your response.
  4. When an activity ends, your instructor may choose to share the correct poll response and/or class results. Quiz results may also be available after the class session ends.

Tips

  • You may change your answer as many times as you like, up until the point your instructor closes the answer period for each poll or quiz.
  • If you see an anonymous icon for a question, know that what you answer will not be tied to your identity. But the fact that you submitted an answer may still count for participation points.
  • Re-join the session if you accidentally close or get bumped out of iClicker during a lecture (e.g., you lose your internet connection).
  • You can review iClicker questions outside of class to help you study, since every question asked is recorded as part of the course. Check out the “Class History” tab when you first log in, and read about all the iClicker features that can help you study.

iClicker Cloud FAQ

Find UBC-specific answers to frequently asked questions by clicking any bar below.

  • Make sure you add courses to your account using the “iClicker Sync” in Canvas. Please do not try to add courses in the iClicker mobile app or student web interface directly, unless your instructor specifically tells you to.
  • If you do not see the course you tried to add in your list of courses, repeat steps to add an iClicker course to your account again. Sometimes a second attempt will fix any problems.
  • Remember that you will need to link your iClicker account with Canvas for each course that uses iClicker Cloud, by following the steps linked above. Following these steps is important because it ensures your grades will sync properly between each iClicker and Canvas course.
  • Make sure that your default email in Canvas matches the email that you used to make an iClicker account. This match will ensure that the right accounts are synced.
    • To check your default email in Canvas, log in to Canvas. Click "Account" in the left-most Global Navigation and select "Settings". On the settings page, use the list on the right to see which email is your default (the one with the star).
  • If you have properly linked your iClicker account with Canvas and your grades do not appear to be syncing with Canvas, it is possible that you cannot view the grades. Not all instructors release iClicker grades in Canvas; ask your instructor or teaching assistant if you are not sure.
  • If you have tried the above and are still having trouble syncing, contact us at the LT Hub.

You can try to fix some connection issues yourself using the iClicker troubleshooting tips.

Also reach out to your instructors or teaching assistants, as they may be able to provide real-time assistance in helping you resolve issues. If not, they will at least know that you were trying to participate but couldn't connect.

Where can I get more support with iClicker Cloud?

Technical support

If you have trouble with iClicker:


Online learning support

Learn more

  • For more how-to instructions, explore iClicker’s help documentation for students. Or use the term “iClicker Student” to search the web for more on iClicker Cloud for students.
  • Letting someone else answer questions with your iClicker account counts as cheating, so make sure your iClicker work honestly reflects your learning and not anyone else’s—it really is in everyone’s best interest!

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