Web+2.0+EDT+650

Web 2.0 Activity

Poll Everywhere


 * This site allows students to use their cell phones like response devices. Even if half of the students in your class have cell phones with unlimited text messages, this drastically cuts down on the need for laptops or expensive response devices and software. Students who don't have a cell phone or message package can still participate by logging on to the website and submitting their answers that way. Many schools can't afford response devices or only a few sets. In my experience these sets are usually checked out or just missing in someone's room. This is very frustrating. With Poll Everywhere teachers simply enter the questions they want students to answer and the poll is ready to present.

I would use this site for introduction or review of material. A pretest would be a great use of the website. I could easily track student answers and not have to wade through tons of papers to see what they understand and what they need to know yet. I could also use it as a review before a test or a quiz. Again, I could easily see what information students still do not have a handle on. The site could potentially be used for a test as well because it has the capability to ask short answer/open ended questions where the students have to type in their responses.

The site is pretty user friendly, but like all new technology it takes a while to become comfortable with it. They have a free plan for K-12 teachers where you can receive up to 30 votes per poll. If you teach the same class more than once, you simply download the results from the first class, clear the poll and you are ready for your next 30 students. I thought this was a great feature. I don't have to purchase a larger package, I just have to do one more step in the process. There are multiple ways to view the data generated as well. I liked this feature a lot because most people have the option to use the technology that they are most comfortable with: Powerpoint, Excel or the browser window of the Poll Everywhere site. You can also create custom charts of the data collected, meaning making them more aesthetically pleasing to use in a formal presentation. The site also had great tutorials and FAQ help.

The drawbacks for me are that if you want to register your students phone numbers or e-mail addresses so you can track their answers you have to purchase a plan. This option is not available for free. You also have to have adminstrators who are willing to let students bring their cell phones to class!**