{"id":12135,"date":"2025-09-05T21:04:35","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T01:04:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/cetlltest\/?page_id=12135"},"modified":"2026-04-28T12:41:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T16:41:20","slug":"engaging-strategies-polling","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/cetll\/engaging-strategies-polling\/","title":{"rendered":"Engaging Strategies: Polling"},"content":{"rendered":"
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#E71939″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#ffffff 0%|#e71939 100%” background_enable_pattern_style=”on” background_pattern_style=”honeycomb” background_pattern_color=”#FFFFFF” background_enable_mask_style=”on” background_mask_style=”corner-blob” background_mask_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”100%” max_height=”90px” max_height_tablet=”40px” max_height_phone=”40px” max_height_last_edited=”on|tablet” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width_tablet=”none” max_width_phone=”none” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_height=”90px” max_height_tablet=”41px” max_height_phone=”50px” max_height_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”-55px|0px|-55px|10px|true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-55px|0px|-55px|10px|true|false” custom_margin_phone=”-55px|0px|-55px|10px|true|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|||16px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||15px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|||15px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/cetlltest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/138\/2025\/09\/cetll_300_notag_150ppi-3-1.png” alt=”Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Leadership” src_tablet=”https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/cetlltest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/138\/2025\/09\/cetll_300_notag_150ppi-3-1.png” src_phone=”https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/cetlltest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/138\/2025\/09\/cetll_300_notag_150ppi-3-1.png” src_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale=”120%|120%” transform_scale_tablet=”100%|100%” transform_scale_phone=”100%|100%” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|tablet” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”-5px||-5px||true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-16px||-16px||true|false” custom_margin_phone=”-16px||-16px||true|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”30px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Polling in the classroom describes a tool that instructors can use to anonymously or semi-anonymously solicit information from students.\u00a0<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Interactive polling through internet-connected devices allows hands-on engagement. The anonymity of these tools allows students to feel more comfortable participating in classroom discussion and answering honestly in medium to large classes (Washington University in St. Louis).<\/span><\/p>\n Using polling throughout the semester reinforces to students that polls are an important component in your course and in their engagement with the material. As with any active learning technique, starting this process early is critical in order to indicate to students that you value their engagement with the activity.<\/span><\/p>\n The following are examples of how Polling can be used in your course:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n If you\u2019re drawing a contrast during your lecture \u2013 for example, you\u2019re describing different philosophical approaches \u2013 let your students express which one resonates with them. Run a simple \u2018Where do you stand?\u2019 type of multiple choice poll. After you display the results on screen, comment on how the students voted and invite some volunteers to share their thoughts. Since your students\u2019 opinions may markedly differ, this exercise has the potential to drive a very passionate discussion in class.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n Polls can be a useful way to conduct summative assessments in large classes due to the ease of grading and recording responses from a large number of students. Summative assessments are typically used at the end of a unit or course. They are higher stakes and indicate more finalized \u2018results\u2019 than formative, in progress, assessments. Polls can be used to conduct end of unit quizzes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Examples of polling questions are:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n Your students\u2019 feedback is your most important asset. Without it, you can\u2019t improve your lectures, nor can you improve yourself as a teacher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By combining multiple live polls together, you will be able to uncover what works with your students and what doesn\u2019t and collect their precious insights. Use rating polls for a quick assessment and open text polls for more elaborate comments.<\/span><\/p>\n Examples of polling questions are:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n Similar to the previous point, you can use rating polls to check students\u2019 prior knowledge. This is useful if you\u2019re starting on a new class or topic. Your students might have had different educational backgrounds, so it\u2019s helpful to know where they stand.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n An example of a polling question is:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n Polls can “be used to check for understanding . . . and this includes checking to see what fundamental misconceptions are getting in the way of the students\u2019 understanding”.<\/p>\n Examples of polling questions are:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n Polls are quick and easy tools for tracking student attendance in both medium-and large-sized classes. Most polling systems have a built-in attendance system that tracks student participation throughout the questions asked during a class period.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” min_height=”37px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Please note: ºì¶¹ÊÓÆµ does not have a pro license. Free licenses are available with limited features.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” min_height=”37px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Mentimeter is used for\/includes:<\/span><\/p>\n Click the link for a\u00a0Mentimeter Guide<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” min_height=”37px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Poll Everywhere is used for\/includes:<\/p>\n The following link is Poll Everywhere for Instructors<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”24px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nHow is Polling Engaging?<\/h2>\n
Collecting Contrasting Opinions <\/span><\/h3>\n
Recapping a Lecture with a Quiz<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Giving Professors Feedback on if the Students are Understanding\/Enjoying the Course<\/h3>\n
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Providing a Baseline of Where your Students are Academically<\/h3>\n
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Checking for Students Understanding of the Material Presented<\/h3>\n
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Tracking Attendance and Participation<\/h3>\n
Polling Tools:<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/ul>\n
Mentimeter<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/ul>\n
Poll Everywhere<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/ul>\n
General Takeaways<\/h2>\n
What do you notice in your large in-person or online class?<\/h3>\n
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How does the lack of engagement manifest in Zoom?<\/h3>\n
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What have you noticed about engagement, pre-pandemic e.g., 2019 or earlier?<\/h3>\n
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Faculty Strategies<\/h2>\n
How do we move past the facsimile of discussion and get students really involved? What do you do?<\/h3>\n
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How can we increase student engagement?<\/h3>\n
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