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Kathy Roberts

Has taught for 20 years and has been an iClicker customer since 2016.

16,200+

Students engaged in Kathy Roberts's active learning classroom since she started using iClicker.

Products Used

Instructor Software: iClicker Cloud
Student Devices Allowed: iClicker Reef

See all iClicker Products

It'll Be Fine: Teach Until You're Useless

We asked Application Support Specialist Kathy Roberts a few questions about why, what, and how she does what she does for her students on a daily basis. Here is what she had to say:

What is the most fulfilling aspect of teaching for you?

"Getting people using iClicker and getting them to love it - that's the good stuff."

What drew you to seek a student engagement solution in your course?

"Our large enrollment class folks are always looking for ways to keep those hundreds of eyes open. We've found instructors are also delighted with how students react in small classes of even 10 students. I think the idea that EVERY student has a voice is the most appealing part of a student response system."


Tools used in Kathy Roberts's active learning classroom:

Instructor Software

For their instuctor software, Kathy Roberts and the University of North Texas campus use iClicker Cloud. This is iClicker's advanced classroom engagement solution, built to track attendance using GPS technology, ask heat map questions, administer quizzes, and analyze student performance using a web browser. Students can participate using mobile devices, laptops, and iClicker remotes.

Student Response Option(s)

Students at the Univesity of North Texas use iClicker Reef, iClicker's mobile or web-based application. As a cheaper alternative to traditional remotes, iClicker Reef gives students access to polling and study tools on a device they are already using.

Compare Instructor & Student Product Options


How have students responded to the use of iClicker, what is the biggest challenge iClicker solves for you, and were there any unexpected results from the use of iClicker in your course?

"We've recently surveyed our faculty and students although the pool was small. I haven't done much analysis of the results, though. Anecdotally, students think it's fun and it's a nice change from looong lectures of blah blah blah. Many of our faculty walk in thinking they will use iClicker for attendance. Most of them walk out realizing that is the smallest and most useless option available to them. Eyes light up and ideas bubble as they realize the power of the tool in their hands to get students' ideas and learning supercharged!"

Have you used or considered other similar student response systems? What made you decide to select iClicker over other options?

"I worked for eInstruction before coming back to UNT in this position. At that time, UNT was using TurningPoint. When it became apparent that we would have to upgrade extensively, we took the opportunity to review multiple systems and 'audition' four top candidates. iClicker won! Our four main criteria were ease of use, support, LMS integration, and cost."

WEBINAR: Dancing Through Change - How to Navigate a New Student Response Implementation

This webinar, hosted by Kathy Roberts of the University of North Texas, presents how they implemented a new student response system--in this case, iClicker Cloud. Ideal for instructional technologists and those working in the departments of teaching and learning, Kathy will present steps (and mis-steps) they experienced along the way to an a successful implementation. This webinar is also well-suited for faculty and deparment heads interested in standardizing on a single student response system.



Tips & Best Practices from  Kathy Roberts 

Getting Students to Class and Engaging Them Once They're There

In this on-demand webinar, Univeristy of Wisconsin, Eau Claire Physics professor Matt Evans discusses how he uses iClicker to get students to class and then engage them once they are there. Evans highlights his experiences in using the geolocation-based Attendance feature in iClicker Cloud to measure student attendance, and then provides insight into best practices for using in-class polling to actively engage students in their own learning.


Building a Game-Based Learning Experience in the Classroom

Make learning an event! For many students, the class sessions that are often the most memorable are the ones where they play a game. Creating an iClicker-based game provides an engaging, practical, way to introduce or reinforce a topic or unit of the course, often allowing for a bit of friendly (or not so friendly) competition that gets students’ brains whirring. This on-demand webinar discusses the theories behind game-based learning and the possible outcomes, as well as ways to design and scale an iClicker-based game that fits your course and needs, no matter if it is with 20 students or 200.


What are some key concepts in the course you teach that are more easily mastered as a result of iClicker-based activities and how have you seen a measurable difference in performance?

"Since I train, I show off all of the question types and how they work. And I try to come up with multiple ways to use each question type as well. One that I haven't pushed out in the world yet is my wonky team activity option. But I will. I like to make stuff do things they aren't designed to do (yet). Instructors have mentioned students are more engaged and it appears to show in their grades. I do not have first hand knowledge on this point, but I believe them!"

How does iClicker save you time?

"A lot of faculty are discovering the quizzing (YAY! FINALLY!). Anything that saves a tree, prevents manually transporting bubble sheets to the scanner that may or may not work that day, is a good thing. The ability to grade on the fly is fantastic! Once they get in the groove, they love not having to DO anything except click."

What is your favorite iClicker feature?

"Y'all have won a big pat on the back with the word cloud. There are several things I'd like to see function better or differently because I'm just a pain like that. My favorite thing is that it operates on its own - no entangling with prep or content on remote servers."


  • Created by educators, for educators

    iClicker was developed by educators to solve specific learning challenges. We asked our founders from the University of Illinois how iClicker got its start, and the problems it continues to solve.


  • Capture student attendance

    Using a variety of geolocation-based technologies, iClicker Cloud quickly and reliably tells you who is attending class, and who isn’t.


  • Powered by why

    We believe in giving all students a voice and that all classrooms should feel small. This is one piece of a larger vision for engaged, active learning that drives us here at iClicker. What's your why... and how can we help you attain it?




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