CircleIn resources for faculty

CircleIn is designed to be a student-led study community.  You, as the instructor, can choose how active you wish to be in the app. Courses with the most improved success rates have instructors who promote CircleIn to their students.

The video "CircleIn Overview for Professors" (3:03) introduces faculty to the CircleIn platform, highlighting how it supports student collaboration and academic success. You will learn the benefits of CircleIn for instructors, including improved student engagement and access to study behavior insights without adding to faculty workload. The video also outlines how CircleIn complements existing teaching strategies by fostering a supportive learning community.

Implementation plan

This content was adapted from the “CircleIn 5 Star Implementation Plan” shared by CircleIn. To introduce your class to CircleIn, please follow these steps:

Step 1: Before your first class

  • Please decide if you want to incorporate a participation grade. We highly recommend it for increased student engagement and the best trackable outcomes/impact studies.
  • Add CircleIn to your Syllabus (before your syllabus deadline) Sample Syllabus Statement
  • Please ensure CircleIn is enabled in your LMS and please add this CircleIn tutorial/walkthrough to your LMS: CircleIn Onboarding Module for Students
    • This slide deck above may be updated regularly. It will walk students through all features. There is no need to cover this in class, they can get through it on their own time.
  • Email your students an invitation to download. (Before first class begins)

Step 2: During your first class

Please allow five minutes to discuss CircleIn. Show your students our Welcome to CircleIn Introduction PowerPoint Slides in class and ask them to download the free app.

  • Slide 1 is a two-minute video from our CEO/Founder. (Omit if you can’t play audio)
  • Slide 2 Display QR code so students can pull out their phones and download CircleIn. You may read this text aloud on this slide.
  • Slide 3 is a summary of what students can do on CircleIn.
  • Slide 4-6 OPTIONAL slides for professors who want to use our course reflections feature. (Click here for instructions on how to roll out course reflections)

Step 3: Exit ticket

Give students five minutes at the end of each course to go into CircleIn and complete their reflection on what they learned, what they are struggling with and questions they still have, using the Course Feedback feature. This gives students an open door to support each other and you can see the reflections (and/or your TAs, tutors, SIs, etc).

Optional action items

Create a custom chat room on CircleIn that includes you.

Frequently asked questions

CircleIn: Student Presentation video (20:08) introduces students to the CircleIn app and its core features. Learn how students can use the platform to collaborate, share study materials and stay organized. The video also highlights how CircleIn supports academic success by encouraging engagement through a point-based reward system.

Access CircleIn

Wolves statue at Mackay Stadium.

Download

  • University-issued iPads: Download the app through Self-Service.
  • Personal mobile devices: Find the app in the App Store or Google Play.
  • Windows or other computers: Use the web app.

Login

  • Launch the CircleIn app or go to the web app.
  • When prompted for your school, enter University of Nevada, Reno and select it from the list.
  • A pop-up will appear prompting you to log in with your university email and password.
  • Once logged in, you’ll land on the CircleIn home screen, where you can:
    • Access your courses and communities
    • Create messages
    • Share notes, flashcards, and other content