About 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:
Poll Everywhere
UTech TLT is launching a semester-long audience response pilot for undergraduate CWRU courses in Spring 2024. If you would like to know more, please see the Poll Everywhere Spring 2024 Pilot webpage.
Student licenses for the CWRU premium version of Poll Everywhere cost $4 per student per academic year. The cost for the licenses should be covered by your department or school. We request that you reach out to your department Chair for approval, and have them complete the brief approval form within 2 weeks of account creation. Faculty must request an account through the CWRU Poll Everywhere Account Request Form. Contact polleverywhere@case.edu for more information.
Poll Everywhere uses a browser-based webpage and an app available on mobile devices to gather results. Results can then be shared and brought into Canvas's gradebook.
iClicker Cloud
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. Results can then be shared, brought into the iClicker gradebook, and pushed into Canvas's gradebook. iClicker licenses can be purchased by students from the CWRU Bookstore.
Echo360
Echo360 polling functionality is ideal for asynchronous polling of students to gauge their engagement with recorded content. Echo360 has two polling options: polling as part of Echo360 presentations, and embedded polling added directly to videos.
Zoom
Zoom offers polling features through its application. 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.
ARS Comparison
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ARS Recommendations for Common Scenarios
- I’m teaching a remote course with students attending online classes synchronously.
- 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.
- I’m teaching a remote course with no live class sessions (students participate asynchronously).
- Echo360’s polling is an ideal choice, as it allows students to access polls at their own pace.
- I’m teaching a blended course, with some students attending remote and others in the classroom.
- Poll Everywhere and iClicker Cloud support a combination of polling technologies, and would best support a mix of attendees.
- I’m teaching in a classroom with all students attending in-person.
- 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.
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).
To get started with iClicker products, please contact the [U]Tech Service Desk with your request.
To get started with Poll Everywhere, please fill out the CWRU Poll Everywhere Account Request Form.
To get started with Echo360 polling, follow the instructions for Using Echo360 Embedded Polling.
To get started with Zoom polling, login to cwru.zoom.us and follow the instructions for How to Use Zoom Polls.
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.