Student Studying Outdoors

Circle In

Kent State University is excited to pilot the CircleIn app for the spring 2022 semester. This program has been funded by the National Science Foundation to help students study and collaborate in participating courses.

This program has been funded by the National Science Foundation and can help students study and collaborate in participating courses.

Students can access the CircleIn app on any mobile device. There’s also a web version for use on a laptop or desktop computer. Simply download the app or click on the "Access CircleIn" button below. You will login using your Kent State FlashLine credentials.

Access CircleIn

You can also view a quick video introduction to the app at students.circleinapp.com. 

Features for students include:

  • Academic Assistance: Tutors from the Kent State Academic Success Center will be available through the app for some classes.
  • Privacy: Students do not need to share phone numbers or email addresses to contact other students or collaborate. It’s all done through the app.
  • Collaboration: The app creates a virtual space where students can brainstorm, via video chat, as they would in a study lounge or coffee shop.
  • Connection: Break through feelings of isolation – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

Are students’ data secure and does the CircleIn app adhere to FERPA guidelines?

CircleIn uses privacy practices and technical security measures to ensure that customer data is protected, such as protecting data in transit and at-rest and performing regular scans.  If you or a student finds anything of concern within their CircleIn space, please immediately contact the instructor.

Can different sections of a course be merged within CircleIn?

Currently, CircleIn cannot merge different course sections, so students within a given section can only interact on CircleIn with other students enrolled in their section.

Can students share exam information in the chat section while taking an exam?

Currently, students will have constant access to CircleIn during exams, but the CircleIn team expects to have a solution to this potential issue sometime in Fall 2021.  Note, however, even when CircleIn can be turned off during an exam, your students still have access to other apps that will allow them to share information.

Do students need to sign-up to activate and use CircleIn?

No.  If you have adopted CircleIn for your classes, your students will have access to the app from CANVAS.

Other than students, who can see/review interactions in CircleIn?

CircleIn is meant as a space for peer-to-peer interactions, so students who are enrolled in a class that has adopted CircleIn and the class instructor will be the only people who can see/review interactions.  Note, however, that instructors do not have access to the chat room and are not meant to interact with students on this platform.  Instructors can view student activities (e.g., questions that they ask) so as to inform subsequent instructions outside of CircleIn.

Who do I contact for technical support?

If you have any concerns or questions, the CircleIn support team is available to help. Throughout the semester, their support team will be able to assist with student or faculty access, any bugs or other issues.  Just email their support team at  support@circleinapp.com.

Who can I contact for more information?

For more information about the rollout of CircleIn at Kent State University, please contact Dr. John Dunlosky, Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences at jdunlosk@kent.edu.

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