Academic origins.

In 1997, the University of Illinois Physics department embarked on a major reform of their introductory classes using interactive engagement methods based on physics education research. They modeled their lectures after the successful ConcepTests, introduced at Harvard University, in which conceptual questions are posed and students are allowed to discuss possible answers with their neighbors.

Their journey eventually led four of the Illinois Physicists— Tim Stelzer, Gary Gladding, Mats Selen, and Benny Brown to develop their own wireless radio frequency system—i>clicker—to further enable student engagement and peer learning. They focused the development of their solution on keeping students’ attention on their lectures and course content—not the technology. As they and others at the University of Illinois used i>clicker in a variety of classes, they refined the hardware and software for ultimate reliability and ease-of-use.

In 2005, Macmillan acquired i>clicker, allowing for significant investments in i>clicker’s hardware and software. The inventors have remained active every step of the way, focused on both the dependability and pedagogy of our system. Every decision made at i>clicker is made based on what works in the classroom and on pedagogical research. We receive ongoing input from our inventors, faculty advocates, user reviews, surveys, and focus groups.

By forming partnerships with major publishers and companies, i>clicker gives you supreme flexibility when choosing a response system. In just two years, i>clicker has become one of the most widely used response systems available and today is used by over 1.5 million students at more than 800 institutions, as well as, many companies in North America.