New Advances in Polling

Polling has been an option in Zoom for as long as we have utilized it as our live session platform. However, up until now, Zoom polling required the facilitator to populate all answer choices. While this works perfectly for a quick pulse check or even quiz practice, Zoom’s advanced polling options now allow for students to generate their own answers. 

Zoom’s newest feature of Advanced Polling contains Single Choice, Multiple Choice, Matching, Rank Order, Short Answer, and Long Answer. 

Each of these options lends itself to a different type of response from your students, encouraging all to engage in class. The advanced polling options also awaken students’ minds helping them to apply what they have learned and show what they can do in manageable stages. 

There are numerous ways facilitators can use Zoom’s new Advanced Polling. We have rounded up 5 of our favorite ways to get started:

1. Multiple Choice or Rank Order can be used to distinguish which topics your students might find to be the most difficult and need a review during the first ten minutes of class.
   
   
2. Also using Rank Order, have students rank subjects you are working on in terms of which they feel might be the most relevant in their field placements. That could catalyze a conversation around why and how those subjects might come into play in their field placements, focusing on the most relevant ones to make the most of class time.
   
   
3. Short or Long Answer questions give your students the ability to provide greater detail on chosen topics while also allowing for independent and autonomous responses. “What was the most difficult part of this week’s material?” This type of question allows students to describe what they are struggling with the most, and provides them time to reflect about their own learning. It also gives you a place to conduct a weekly review that is most relevant to your students. Since the answers are not shared with the whole class, you also guarantee their confidentiality.
   
   
4. Short Answer questions allow students to complete fill-in-the-blank prompts using one or more blanks per question. This is a great tool to use in solidifying new terminology that is often used in general conversation but has specific uses and meanings in your field.
   
   
5. All Advanced Polling options also have the capability to upload an image, widening the possibilities even more! Have students label the parts of a diagram by uploading a model or diagram to a Matching question, and you will be able to see in real time if they are on track.

There are a myriad of options available with the new Zoom Advanced Polling and Quizzing. Faculty Success team members are happy to discuss any and all of these features with you in greater detail. Schedule a Coaching Session with one of our trainers for more information.

Additionally, for instructions on how to create these Advanced Polls in Zoom, you can find a resource guide in the resource page of your learning platform. 

Works Consulted:

• Washington University in St. Louis Center for Teaching and Learning: "Polling: Overview"
• Harvard Graduate School of Education: “Conducting In-class Polling and Peer Discussion”