“Students are able to answer the poll by four different methods: sending a text by following the on screen instructions and texting a keyword to a code, using a Smartphone’s web browser, sending a “tweet” on Twitter, or on a computer via the web.”
understand new material and students can monitor their own understanding of that material. If students perform well on this quick assessment, instruction can proceed as scheduled. However, if students did not understand the material, as shown by the poll results, the teacher can reteach the material the following day. This allows educators a quick, easy way to monitor student progress and to see if a particular topic may need more attention. For example, a chemistry teacher could use this as a check-out question: “If you remove an electron from Mercury (Hg), does the element change? Explain your reasoning.” This question requires students to synthesize the information presented during the last few days of instruction and allows the teacher to see where students are in their learning progress.
Another way in which Poll Everywhere can be a valuable teacher tool is in assessing prior knowledge. For instance, at the beginning of a new unit, a teacher could see how much students remember about a topic from previous lessons or from previous classes. Teachers can use this information to determine what content needs to be taught and where students are in their understanding of the material. In this way, valuable classroom time is not wasted on teaching content most students are already familiar with. For instance, a biology teacher could begin a new unit by asking the question: “What is photosynthesis?” Students would choose A, B, C, or D, each of which are definitions. The next question could be: “Why is photosynthesis important?” For this question, allow students a few minutes to think about the question, and then pair student to discuss their ideas. This could lead into a class discussion about the photosynthesis.
SUMMARY
Poll Everywhere is a valuable technology tool that is easy to use, readily available, and engaging for students. The tool provides teachers with instant feedback regarding student learning, and allows for the collection of essential student data from which teachers can make important instructional decisions.
Jen Witcik, chemistry and biology student teacher, Thurston High School, South Redford, MI; Graduate Student, University of Michigan Secondary MAC Program
Maria Ripberger, chemistry and biology student teacher, Romulus High School, Romulus, MI; Graduate Student, University of Michigan Secondary MAC Program
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