iClicker Transition

iClicker Transition

Changes are on the horizon for instructors who use iClickers to take classroom attendance or to conduct student polls. MacMillan, the parent company of iClicker, has announced that the base stations and remote devices used in iClicker Classic will be deprecated as the company moves to an exclusively cloud-based product. The University of Oregon (UO) is working to avoid disruption, lower costs for students, and support faculty in making a smooth transition from iClicker Classic to iClicker Cloud. 

Please note: instructors at UO still have the option of using an iClicker base station with iClicker Cloud. Instructors may choose to use a base station if they wish to allow students to use an iClicker remote instead of a mobile device.  

Related Topics: iClicker

When will this change take place?

Although MacMillan has announced the change to be effective in January 2024, UO has negotiated a longer transition. UO instructors and students can continue using iClicker Classic through the end of Spring term 2024. 

What does this mean for you and your students as you finish this academic year?

Instructors who have an iClicker base station can continue to use it until the end of spring term. The integration with Canvas will continue to function without change until that time. Instructors who wish to begin early experimentation with iClicker Cloud should contact the Teaching and Learning Technology team via this Service Portal form to express interest. 

Students who have already purchased iClicker remotes can continue to use them until the end of spring term. Students who have not yet purchased an iClicker remote, but who will need one for winter or spring term, will still be able to purchase from the Duck Store. If you have questions please contact the Teaching and Learning Technology Team for details. 

What will be available to you in the future, using iClicker Cloud?

  • Everything will be stored in the Cloud. Instructors who use a shared classroom computer will be able to access their account with their unique iClicker login. 

  • New polling options will be enabled. As one example, exit polls will allow students to share feedback at the end of class. 

  • Students will be able to turn polling questions into study tools in their apps. 

  • Optional geolocation technology can be used to detect whether a student is physically in class. 

  • New “assignment” functionality will support formative checks of student understanding before and after class. 

  • New “groups” feature will allow students to work together toward consensus on their answer to a polling question. 

How do student costs for iClicker Classic and iClicker Cloud compare?

iClicker remotes cost approximately $55, while a student iClicker Cloud subscription is $16 for 6 months, $25 for one year, or $35 for two years. We are exploring solutions to address the possibility that some students might not have access to a mobile device.  

Timeline of UO actions to smooth the transition.

  1. Testing iClicker cloud—fall 2023. 

  1. Piloting iClicker cloud for select classes—winter 2024. 

  1. iClicker cloud available for early adoption—spring 2024. 

  1. Full transition to iClicker cloud—summer 2024. 

Would you like to pilot iClicker Cloud in Winter or Spring? Would you be interested in participating in a workgroup in 2024 to review polling/attendance solutions in general? If either of these opportunities appeal to you, please contact the Teaching and Learning Technology team via this Service Portal form.