Show and Tell: Poll Everywhere

One of my favourite web-based apps that I like to use in many of my classes is called "Poll Everywhere." It is a simple poll application that can be used at any time within a class and transferred to data.  It is a good activation strategy and a way to engage the students and make them feel "cool" by having them use their smart phones.

I have used this application in my Chemistry class, Biology class, Math class and have even used it when asking the students their opinion on a extra curricular event or any discussion idea that I would like their opinion.  In the past, I have polled students on:

1. How they get to school?  walk, drive, bike, etc.  Then with this data, we would make graphs which covers a Grade 10 Essential Math outcome
2. What would you like to do for an activity for "Activity Day"? Ski/snowboard, bowl, toboggan, etc.  Then we used this information to decide what were the top two activities we would give the students to choose from for Activity Day.

This application is easy to use, however, participants need a smartphone or access to a computer with the internet in order to take part in the poll.  Steps:

1. Go to the website: www.polleverywhere.com
2. CLICK the "Create your first poll" green button
3. Type in the question you want to poll
4. Hit "Create"
5. Click "open ended" or "multiple choice" depending on how you want the participants to respond
1. If you click multiple choice you will then need to add choices you wish the participants to choose from
2. If you choose "open ended" your audience will respond with anything 
6. Then a number will come up for the students to choose between your choices, or how the participants will answer.
7. A graph will soon appear, after students have answered the question.

It is a great visual and easy tool to use within the classroom for receiving quick results and also engaging the students to use their smart phones or other devices within the classroom.