Student Response Systems

Overview

About Student Response Systems

Student Response Systems, also known as “clickers,” “audience response systems,” or "personal response systems" enable instructors to pose questions to students and immediately collect and view the responses of the entire class. Their many uses include increasing student engagement, obtaining real-time feedback, and taking attendance. Many of these systems integrate with bCourses, enabling instructors to record student participation in their gradebooks easily.

Two tools are licensed and supported by RTL Commons: iClicker Cloud and Poll Everywhere. These virtual systems allow students to participate at no cost via the web or mobile apps on their personal devices (laptop, tablet, or cell phone) and provide flexibility in case of a pivot in the mode of instruction.

Support for the legacy tool iClicker Classic, which was previously supported by RTL Commons, has been retired. Instructors who wish to have students use only iClicker remotes can do so using iClicker Cloud.

Students in classes in which instructors are using Poll Everywhere or iClicker Cloud who do not have a personal device can check one out on a semester basis via the Student Technology Equity Program (STEP) or for a couple of weeks at a time from the Library Technology Lending program. Student Technology Services also offers iClicker remote lending for classes using iClicker Classic or Cloud that allow the use of iClicker remotes.

Get Started

Activate your Berkeley-supported iClicker and Poll Everywhere Accounts

As an instructor at Berkeley, you are eligible for Berkeley-sponsored Poll Everywhere and iClicker Cloud instructor licenses that you can use all year round. Follow the steps here to begin.

Attendance Tracking through Polling Tools

Easily track student attendance and enhance classroom engagement using iClicker and Poll Everywhere, two campus-supported tools that seamlessly integrate with bCourses. Both platforms offer GPS-enabled location tracking to verify physical presence, and provide interactive polling features that make attendance more engaging. Instructors can sync attendance and participation data directly to the gradebook, streamlining the tracking process. For step-by-step guidance, explore our presentation deck and watch the recorded workshop to start using these tools effectively.

Get Help

Email: studentresponse@berkeley.edu
Phone: (510) 664-9000
Search the Knowledgebase
Instructors: Schedule a Consultation
Students: Student Technology Services Tech Support

Poll Everywhere

iClicker Cloud

iClicker Cloud / Poll Everywhere Comparison

Question	iClicker Cloud	Poll Everywhere
What types of questions are available?	Multiple Choice Short Answer Numeric Clickable Image ("Target") Multiple Answer iClicker Cloud Polling Question Types	Multiple Choice Short Answer ("Open-Ended") Clickable Image Ranking Q&A Poll Everywhere Activity Types
Can I sync with bCourses?	Yes, iClicker Cloud Roster & Grade Sync (RGS) allows instructors to sync a roster into iClicker Cloud and send your iClicker Cloud grades directly to the gradebook. Instructor Guide: iClicker Cloud Roster & Grade Sync with Canvas	Yes, Poll Everywhere integration allows you to import students and export graded responses. Canvas Integration Guide for Educators (PDF)(PDF file)
Can students respond with an iClicker remote?	Yes, instructors can allow students to respond from a personal device and iClicker remote, or select devices/remotes only. Allowing iClicker Remotes in iClicker Cloud	No, Poll Everywhere does not support remotes. How people can respond
Can students respond with SMS text messages?	No, iClicker does not support text messaging.	Yes, students can respond via text messaging. SMS Text messaging
Can I allow students to respond anonymously?	Yes, instructors can ask any of the question types in Anonymous mode.	Yes, instructors can hide screen names or set an activity to be completely anonymous. Anonymous responses
Can I share a course with a co-instructor or TA?	Yes, instructors can share their iClicker Cloud courses with other users who will be helping to teach the course. How to Share Your iClicker Cloud Course with a Co-Instructor or TA	No, presenters may share activities with a "Team." Results are tied to each individual presenter. Sharing an activity
Can I create separate spaces for a multi-section course?	Yes, instructors can create a separate iClicker course for each Canvas section. iClicker Cloud Roster & Grade Sync with Canvas: How to Set Up Multi-Section Courses	No, syncing rosters imports all students from your course into Poll Everywhere. Canvas Integration Guide for Educators (PDF)(PDF file)

Additional Resources

Wi-Fi Tips
Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative Clickers/Personal Response Systems
- Clicker Resource Guide (PDF)(PDF file)
- Tri-Fold: Ready, Set, React! Getting the most out of peer instruction using clickers (PDF)(PDF file)
Clickers in the Classroom: Transforming Students into Active Learners (EDUCAUSE)
Explaining “In the Aggregate” Concepts with Clickers by Martha L. Olney, UC Berkeley Economics faculty

Service at a Glance

Category	Details
System Availability	24/7*
Services and Offerings	Cloud-based polling software that allows students to respond using a personal device (or, in some cases, a clicker remote), and integration support with bCourses, the campus learning management system (Canvas LMS).
Initial support response time	No longer than 1 business day
Eligibility	Instructors and Students
Data Protection Level	P3 - These platforms store or processe FERPA-Protected Student Records and have passed rigorous Vendor Security Assessments led by Berkeley’s Information Security Office.
Service Level	Enhanced for Instructors - We offer one-on-one consultations and workshops to help you accomplish your goals. Standard for Students - You have open access to use the service or system.
Service Owner	Lisha Bornilla (studentresponse@berkeley.edu)
Rates	Ongoing operations support is free of charge.

* Except during scheduled maintenance.