Clickers for iPod Touch

Hi Clint,  I was wondering if you could give me the name of some iPod apps that you can use as a clicker or keyboard.  I found quite a few, but was wondering if some were better than others before I splurge and buy them.  Thanks!!

There’s a couple of things that you could look at…

Today I’ve tried eClicker, and liked it once I got the hang of it. It’s had some unfavorable reviews, but it seems to be pretty solid for me. You need to have at least 1 iOS device (iPod Touch, iPad, iPhone) with the eClicker Host app, which is $9.99 from the App store. Then on all of your other iPods, you can download the free eClicker app that can access the questions hosted on the main device. The host app will allow you to create questions that will be pushed out to the students for voting, and then once the poll question is closed, a chart of responses is automatically sent out to all of the devices answering the question. 

The good news is that you don’t NEED to have an iPod for each student – each device can be shared with up to 5 students that will record their names, but they all have to agree on their choice. Also, ANY Internet enabled device can access the poll questions – I was answering questions from my laptop and my Android phone along with two iPads that I had on hand. The results are archived so that you can go back and look at past results, plus there are many other features – you can even quickly edit questions in a web browser online if you create a free account. It works over your local wireless network, or with your Mac you can even set up a personal network to use in your classroom for the polls. Overall, it’s a pretty good deal for $10. 

Another option is Poll Everywhere. This is a web-based option that needs no apps to use. You can create a free Educational account, and create as many poll questions as you’d like, with up to 32 responses per question. You display the poll questions in a web browser or PowerPoint presentation on your projector, and then students can vote either through a web page (http://poll4.com), a text message, or email and the website instantly compiles the results. It’s not quite as fast as eClicker, but each vote takes maybe 4 seconds to post, and the charts update dynamically. It’s amazing to see in action.

If you are looking for a ‘keyboard’ or a way to control your computer with the iPad, Air Display is the best thing I’ve seen. There are other apps that will turn your iPod Touch or iPad into a mouse to control your computer (Mobile Mouse is a good one), but Air Display turns your device into either a 2nd monitor for your computer, or as a mirrored version of your display/projector for your computer. This means that (with a drawing or presentation app), I can draw or write on the iOS device and actually see what I’m doing on the device or projector screen. You have complete touch control over your computer for browsing or navigating web pages, or controlling a presentation. 

I’ve only been using it for a few hours, but I can see the potential there since you are basically projecting your iPad wirelessly to your computer and projector. It’s also $9.99, but worth the cost of admission.

Thanks for the question!

Clint

1 comment

  1. Clint,I haven’t tried eClicker before, but I have tried iResponse for iPod Touch and it’s pretty cool. The app costs $.99 and the download for the computer is free. Thanks for posting great ideas.

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