There are numerous free, web-based classroom response tools which you can use to engage students, solicit their feedback, and view data on their performance. If you're not sure which to use or how to use them, we recommend starting with the following services and best practices.
Services we recommend
We recommend the following tools because they both work well in the classroom and strive to keep users' data secure through encryption. Whichever you use, please remember that participants will need a personal device—computer or cellular—to respond to questions.
- Microsoft Forms: Use this for basic polling and quizzing. Class members do not need a Microsoft 365 account to participant. Responses are recorded in an Excel file which you can download for analysis. Make sure to create your form while using your Bryn Mawr so that any data goes to your OneDrive (see OneDrive: Share files and folders for more information).
- Mentimeter: Use this for polling where you want to display results to your audience during a presentation. They can be displayed in a range of formats, from bar graphs to word clouds. With a free account, you can have up to 50 people respond to a presentation. Responses can also be exported into Excel spreadsheets
- Poll Everywhere: If you need to use more diverse question types or to enable text/SMS responses. This service can be used for free for presentations with up to 40 people. Results can be exported as a CSV file.
- Piazza: You can post a poll within any class forum you create in Piazza. See Post a Poll from Piazza's support site for more information.
Note: This feature is only available is you are using a Bryn Mawr license.
- Zoom: During online meetings, you can use Zoom's built-in polling feature. Look at Conducting polls in meetings from Zoom's support site for more information.
Note: This feature is only available if you're using your Bryn Mawr Zoom account. Any meeting you run from a personal Zoom account cannot have polls.
For Best Results
Some steps we recommend if you want to use online polling in class:
Questions?
If you have any additional questions or problems, don't hesitate to reach out to the Help Desk!
Phone: 610-526-7440 | Library and Help Desk hours
Email: help@brynmawr.edu | Service catalog
Location: Canaday Library 1st floor
