Poll Everywhere is a web-based and mobile app that you can use to engage your audience and to support classroom assessment. You can use your mobile device or log in with a web-based version to start a question and your audience can respond to your question with their own device by scanning your QR code, texting or finding you via the shared URL. Once students respond, you can see their real-time responses and present the results in your PowerPoint, Google slides, keynote, or on your website.
Depending on your needs, you can choose from a free educator plan or various paid plans. The K-12 Basic plan is Free (teacher account/sign-up needed; no student account or login required) and you get:
- Responses per poll: 40 (explain)
- Allows to present via Powerpoint, Full-screen web presentations, Many question types, Live word clouds, Text walls, Customize look & styles
- Support: FAQ online
Using Poll Everywhere in your classroom, you will be able to collect students’ answers and feedback in the moment. It can also be used as a great tool to engage your students and probe their understanding in a certain concept as an activity strategy or closure. This formative feedback can support teachers in planning and scaffolding instruction.
To get started with Poll Everywhere, there are a few steps:
1. Teacher signs up/Login to Poll Everywhere
2. Create your questions on your laptop/desktop in the browser.
Using Poll Everywhere, you can choose from a large variety of poll activities, including multiple choice, open response, live word clouds, clickable images, up- and down-voting for Q&A, and rank order. Plus, you can write your questions in different languages as well!
3. Invite your students to respond.
They can go to a customizable web address on their mobile devices or computers (by scanning your QR code or inputting the address into their browsers ) or send a text message to participate. As a teacher, you’re encouraged to use a premium moderation feature, that will allow you to filter the response before they are presented on the shared screen.
3. Collect the results and share with your students.
You can simply use a live chart to present the results, and also change the color, font or images as you want. To display it, you can use a web browser or embed your results in your Powerpoint or Google Slides as well.
Hi is it okay to use a software that stores information (e.g. text logs, phone numbers when accessing the poll from mobile phones) when personal identities can be traced?
Thanks.
Hi Jennifer,
Under FIPPA, you are able to use this kind of software so long as there is no link between the personal identities and personal information. A common way to remedy using software that is not compatible with FIPPA is to use pseudonyms for your students. Here is a guideline on what is covered under FIPPA: https://universitycounsel.ubc.ca/files/2015/05/Fact-Sheet-What-is-Personal-Information.pdf
Cheers!
Eric
Hi Jennifer, please note also that if you are working in K-12 schools, there are specific permissions and processes around informed consent in your school district and/or at your school. It is always essential to connect with your school advisor (if you are a teacher candidate) and valuable to check with school admin or librarians prior to using a new software with students.