The new iclicker audience response system can be used to poll the class for quizzes whether they're graded or not with essentially no start-up time. The instructor can simply copy the MyCoursePC or MyCourseMac folder to their desktp from this webpage, the scratch drive, or the iclicker flash drive. Once their make as many copies of it as you need for each class you teach from now on. Never modify the original files on the flash drives. Next, create your class roster in the file "roster.txt" in your course folder. Assign an iclicker ID number (L001-L210) to each student in the format: Last Name, First Name, ID#. This can be done in blackboard. We have already created the excel file which relates our iclicker ID#s to the specific manufacturer remote ID's, and already put it in the required folder. This is our method that allows us to keep track of who votes with each remote, and it bypasses a long class role call process in the program making the startup at the beginning of each class essentially zero. This way it is just a matter of plugging in the i>clicker control box, the student picking up the same remote at the beginning of each class, and you're already ready to go by simply opening the i>clicker executable file in your course folder.
      At the beginning of each course you will need to set your preferences for grading or setting up an instructor's remote. Information on this can be found in detail in the manual below. This option is located in the startup window each time you open the program. After you've done this, just hit the Start Session button. Now there will be an iclicker bar which floats in the top left corner of your screen. Hit start to begin and stop when you've received all of the votes. You can set this up in preferences to count up indefinitely or count down from a predetermined finite time. You can display the graph of the results with the display button, and click on the bar over the correct answer to show it as correct. This shows the class the distribution of answers anonymously and also saves who voted what for your grading purposes. You can poll how ever many times you need in class, and you will be able to access this data later. All grading details you can take care of back in your office after class. Be sure to copy your course folder to a flash drive, the scratch drive, or somewhere else you can access it at the end of each class. This will enable you to give credit to the students who were there just for participation or for accuracy.

For further details on how to use this system contact Josh Peebles in Robeson 207 (jpeebles@vt.edu).