Poll Everywhere Instructor Guide

Poll Everywhere Overview and Use Cases for Faculty
Poll Everywhere is a real-time response program that can help to transform lectures into two-way conversations. This tool can create low-pressure ways of getting students to contribute. 

You can use Poll Everywhere to:

• Create a class word cloud
• For a synchronous lecture knowledge check
• To take attendance through poll interaction during a synchronous lesson
• Increase student engagement

Instructor Orientation/Training
While no training is necessary to use Poll Everywhere, this Getting Started Webinar resource as well as this Quick Start document can give you an introduction to this tool. 

Instructor Responsibilities
How to request access to Poll Everywhere:

• Set up a Quick Consultation with a UMSN Instructional Designer via the Instructional Design Services Page for assistance with setting up your Poll Everywhere account. 

Note: There is a free, non-UMSN instance of Poll Everywhere available. If you try to set up your account independently, you are likely to register with the free version. Using the free version will negatively impact the user experience of your students. 

How to Configure/Set Up Poll Everywhere

• This series of lessons will help you get started with Poll Everywhere. Follow these instructions to create your first Poll Everywhere activity.

Testing

• There is no mandatory testing process for Poll Everywhere, but it is recommended that you practice with the software before the beginning of the term.

Previously Identified Student Roadblocks
Wrong Poll Everywhere Used:

• As a faculty member, if you use the non-UMSN instance of Poll Everywhere, the number of student responses you will be able to obtain will be limited, which can impact the student experience. One way to tell: you cannot create a Poll Everywhere account in the UMSN instance using your @med.umich.edu email address. If you have an account with this email (instead of @umich.edu), then you are in the wrong instance of Poll Everywhere.

Poll Everywhere Instructor Course Prep Checklist

• Set up a Quick Consultation with an Instructional Designer via the Instructional Design Services Page to create your UMSN-linked account.
• Plan what your surveys will be. Remember only one survey can be active at a time.
• Test your polls and link.

Depending on your course needs, you may need additional items in your checklist. Feel free to schedule an appointment with an instructional designer for a more personalized Poll Everywhere orientation.

How to get help
For assistance, you can:

• Set up a Quick Consultation with a UMSN Instructional Designer via the Instructional Design Services Page.
• Contact IT (available 24/7) by phone (734) 749-9002, chat, or submit a request.
• Check out the Poll Everywhere Support Center, their troubleshooting tips or contact Poll Everywhere Support.

Instructor FAQs

• How to make a Word Cloud (copy activity into account)
• How to take attendance with Poll Everywhere
  • Using “Word of the day” to take attendance
• Using Poll Everywhere to add engagement/check for comprehension

Poll Everywhere Quick Links

• Instructor Resources
  • Poll Everywhere Online Orientation: Poll Everywhere 101
  • Poll Everywhere Instructor Guide