What are Audience Response Systems?
Audience Response Systems (ARSs), commonly called clickers, are used to quickly collect and present live feedback. Common systems include iClicker, Poll Everywhere, Plickers, and Mentimeter. Typical ARSs require two components: some way for participants to submit answers, and some way for the facilitator to collect responses. Participants typically respond to poll questions with either physical ARS-specific devices (clickers), apps, or physical items. Facilitators typically collect responses through the software or a physical device. Once questions are asked and responses are gathered, results can then be shared with the audience.
Availability
Other departments and groups around campus may be utilizing various systems, however, [U]Tech currently only supports the following:
CWRU premium Poll Everywhere presenter accounts are available to promote academic engagement and boost participation within the CWRU community.
Type: Online
Cost to Students: None
Canvas Integration: Students can be registered through the Canvas integration and grades can be synced into the Gradebook.
Grading: Yes
Attendance Tracking: No
Available to all CWRU Users: Yes
Get Started: Please request an account through the CWRU Poll Everywhere account request form located on the CWRU Poll Everywhere support page.
iClicker Cloud uses the iClicker app on student mobile devices to gather results, while also supporting the older iClicker Classic base station and traditional physical remotes.
Type: Physical device or online
Cost to Students: Students must purchase licenses from CWRU bookstore
Canvas Integration: Students can be registered through the Canvas integration and grades can be synced into the Gradebook. Request integration through CWRU Help Desk.
Grading: Yes
Attendance Tracking: No
Available to all CWRU Users: Yes
Get Started: Please contact the [U]Tech Service Desk with your request.
Echo360 polling functionality is ideal for asynchronous polling of students to gauge their engagement with recorded content. Echo360 has two polling options: polling in Echo360 presentations and embedded polling added to videos.
Type: Online
Cost to Students: None
Canvas Integration: Polls can be accessed via the Echo360 integration in Canvas
Grading: Polls in presentations can be sent to the Canvas gradebook. Embedded polling data is available as a CSV export only.
Attendance Tracking: No
Available to all CWRU Users: Yes
Get Started: Follow the instructions for Using Echo360 Embedded Polling.
Session hosts can build polls on the CWRU Zoom website, and display them in Zoom for participants to answer during live sessions. Responses are shown in real-time.
Type: Online
Cost to Students: None
Canvas Integration: A poll report is available through the Zoom Canvas integration, however only for meetings added using the integration. The same report can also be accessed via case.edu/zoom.
Grading: No
Attendance Tracking: Yes, but not through polling
Available to all CWRU Users: Yes
Get Started: Log in to cwru.zoom.us and follow the instructions for How to Use Zoom Polls.
Other Recommendations
Below are other recommendations for Audience Response polls, however, these are not currently supported by [U]Tech.
CALI InstaPoll
CALI InstaPoll is a free, online, virtual clicker that allows a presenter to quickly poll an audience. It is simple and easy to use and does not require an account.
Using the polling features built into Zoom is the quickest and easiest way to get students to participate. Poll Everywhere is also an option as polls can be presented during sessions and students can answer live either via a mobile device or their computer.
Echo360’s polling is an ideal choice, as it allows students to access polls at their own pace.
Poll Everywhere and iClicker Cloud support a combination of polling technologies, and would best support a mix of attendees.
iClicker Cloud and Poll Everywhere are the best options. iClicker Cloud offers more flexibility, as students can use either a physical clicker or an application. Poll Everywhere offers the most flexibility as it does not require a physical clicker and students can respond to polls using any mobile device or computer.
How ARSs are Used at CWRU
Audience Response Systems (ARSs) are generally used in large, introductory courses at CWRU. They allow instructors to gather feedback and provide some interactivity with their students during class. ARSs are typically used in a handful of ways:
- To check-in on comprehension during lecture
- To promote small group discussion and debate among students
- To ask knowledge check questions to promote problem-solving
- To record student attendance
Instructors have the flexibility to decide whether or not responses are graded. Responses can be graded for accuracy and contribute toward the course grade, or can be recorded as either participation or attendance grades (where getting the right answer isn't required).
TLT Suggestions for ARSs
Teaching + Learning Technologies recommends the following tips for using Audience Response Systems:
- Design your polling questions around your class. Integrate questions into slides. Make sure you schedule your class time to allow for introducing the question, allowing students to respond, and reviewing the results.
- Familiarize yourself with the software and setup of your ARS before using it in class. Recognizing how things should work (and knowing a few steps to take if they don't!) will help you run things smoothly.
- A great strategy for clickers is the re-poll question. Ask an initial question, have the class discuss the results (either as a whole or in small groups), then ask the question again to see how responses have changed.
Additional Resources and Support
Echo360: Adding Polling to Presentations
How to add poll questions to Echo360 presentations
Echo360: Adding Polls to Videos
How to add poll questions to Echo360 videos
iClicker Knowledge Base
iClicker's support page, including guides for using iClicker
Poll Everywhere Support and Training
Poll Everywhere's support page, including guides for using Poll Everywhere
Support
Contact the [U]Tech Service Desk at 216.368.HELP, help@case.edu, or help.case.edu.