Interactive Polls
Polling tools enable you to embed interactive questions into your teaching practice. These tools provide the opportunity to gather student ideas, gauge the level of understanding and facilitate post-session recap activities.
Most of these tools utilise simple multiple-choice question types, but some support short written answers as well as gamified challenges. Many platforms offer direct integration with presenting tools (e.g. PowerPoint) as well as the ability to provide self-paced assessments that students can complete asynchronously.
Polling tools help to facilitate high-level interaction within a taught session. They can also be delivered asynchronously as part of a flipped classroom approach to teaching. The data can be captured and reviewed and can then inform any concept recap where appropriate.
When using polling tools, consider the following:
- Accessibility — Do all students have access to an appropriate device?
- Validity — Are the questions posed relevant and appropriate to the topic and level of study?
- Assessment for learning — Does your content embed the assessment effectively? Questions should be introduced appropriately and asked at relevant times to capture learning.
- Feedback — Build feedback around your teaching and assessment. Ensure that the results are reviewed and effective feedback is provided.
What polling tools are available?
Mentimeter
Mentimeter is an interactive polling tool created for education. Mentimeter does not require any downloads or specific hardware. It works on any browser and on any device with internet access. Mentimeter polls can be embedded in your slides on on Canvas.
Clickers (Turning Point)
Turning Point enables instructors to embed polling questions into PowerPoint presentations and ask interactive questions, deliver self-paced assessments, and gather formative data in class.
