iClicker: Polls, Quizzes, and Assignments

iClicker is ASU’s preferred student response system, designed to promote active learning and increase classroom engagement. It allows instructors to pose questions in real-time, providing students with a low-stakes way to participate and interact with course content, while giving instructors immediate insight into student understanding. This guide highlights when to use Polls, Quizzes, and Assignments in iClicker.

Using iClicker Polls

Polls are the most common way instructors use iClicker during class. Students respond to one question at a time as the instructor makes questions available. Polls are useful for real-time engagement and discussion, quick checks for understanding, and peer instruction/group work Polls work well in in-person, hybrid, and remote courses.

Key features:

• Support multiple question types (multiple choice, multiple select, numeric, short answer, target)
• Optional screenshots of slides sent to student devices
• Timers, confidence ratings, and anonymous mode

See How to Run Polls in iClicker Cloud Courses for more detailed instructions.

iClicker: Quizzes

Quizzes allow students to answer a set of questions at their own pace during class and are best suited for low-stakes, synchronous assessment. There are two ways to use Quizzes in iClicker:

Pre-Created Quizzes (Recommended)

Pre-Created Quizzes are built before class on the iClicker instructor website and launched during class. Pre-Created Quizzes are best when you want more control over question setup, grading, and accessibility.

Key features:

• Support multiple-choice and short-answer questions
• Created by uploading a PDF of question slides
• Allow instructors to:
  • Set scoring rules
  • Randomize questions
  • Add alt text for accessibility
  • Review responses and provide feedback after class
• Grades can be synced to Canvas
• Require students to use the iClicker Student mobile app or web browser (remotes not supported)

See How to Create and Manage a Quiz Before Class in iClicker Cloud (Pre-Created Quizzing) for more detailed instructions.

Quick Start Quizzes (In-Class Setup)

Quick Start Quizzes are created during class from the desktop software. Quick Start Quizzes are limited in their usability, but they can work for are well-suited for short checks-for-understanding when a pre-created quiz isn't available.

Key features:

• Support multiple-choice questions only
• Questions must be visible via slides or handouts; quick quizzes does not send screenshots to student devices
• Students answer questions in any order and submit when finished

See How to Run Quizzes in Class with iClicker Cloud for more detailed instructions.

iClicker: Assignments

Assignments extend iClicker engagement beyond live class sessions, allowing students to respond to a set of questions at their own pace outside of class. Assignments are useful for pre-class preparation, post-class reflection, or engagement with recorded lectures. For more complex or high-stakes coursework, Canvas assignments are often a better fit.

Key features:

• Support multiple question types (multiple choice, short answer, numeric, target)
• Created on the iClicker instructor website by uploading a PDF of question slides
• Allow instructors to set scoring rules for correctness and/or participation
• Grades can be reviewed and synced to Canvas
• Completed outside of class with availability dates and due dates

See How to Create and Manage Assignments in iClicker Cloud for more detailed instructions.

Additional Resources

• Full TLC Instructor Guide: Teaching with iClicker
• TLC Video: Getting Started with iClicker (slides available here).
• ASU Learning Experience: iClicker
• If you need to have iClicker installed on a university computer, put in a support ticket here: Service Now Ticket - University Classroom Software

iClicker Resources

Search the official iClicker Knowledge Base:

• iClicker Knowledge Base

Common support topics:

• How to Practice Before Your First Class
• How to Run an Exit Poll and View the Responses to get feedback on your class
• iClicker Cloud Polling Question Types
• How to Grade and View Polling Results on the iClicker Cloud Instructor Website
• How to View Attendance with the iClicker Cloud Desktop Software
• How to View and Manage Attendance Data in iClicker Cloud
• iClicker Student App Attendance Geolocation Tips (Troubleshoot Student Issue)
• How to Archive or Unarchive an iClicker Course
• How to Delete an iClicker Cloud Course=