Polling
Below is an overview of polling options at NDSU.
Overview
Polling allows for engagement, interaction, and real-time instructor feedback to ensure students are retaining information. It allows instructors to ask questions and assess student understanding.
- EchoPoll & PointSolutions - add polling in your content or use quick informal polls with your students/participants. Results can be automatically uploaded to your Blackboard Original and Blackboard Ultra Grade Center.
- Class Collaborate Ultra – users can poll to give their attendees opportunities to participate, be engaged, and provide feedback.
- Microsoft Teams - you can poll to gather feedback from students or participants.
- Zoom - allows users to create and launch single or multiple-choice polling questions during or prior to a Zoom session to gather responses from the students/participants.
Getting Started
- Getting started will vary by the product selected. Review specific products as starting point.
Best Practices
Faculty:
- Include polling information in your syllabus describing the purpose and how it can improve student engagement and learning.
- Inform students of any technology they will need to participate.
- Be sure to identify the learning goals you plan to achieve.
- Think about the questions, activities, and discussions that will best help you achieve your desired student learning goals.
Students:
- Review the technology requirements for your course
- Follow instructor-provided instructions
- Use a vendor-supported and updated browser
Learn More/How To's:
- How To's will vary by the product selected. Review specific products as starting point.
FAQs
- FAQs will vary by the product selected. Review specific products as starting point.
Use Cases
- Assess students’ understanding in real time
- Delayed scheduling allows students to take polls at a later time (Echo360)
- Facilitate discussions
- Encourage students to reflect on course material
- Actively engage students in the learning process
Universal Design/Accessibility
- Ensure that any product that is used is accessible to all students. Offer alternatives to meet the needs of students following the guidelines of Universal Design for Learning
Related resources
- Developing Poll Questions – Columbia University in the City of New York
- Using Polls to Promote Active Learning – CUNY Academic Commons
- Polling for meetings - Zoom
- Creating Breakout Rooms from Poll Results - Zoom