Get Students Talking with Polls
Finding quick and simple ways to interact with students can bring new energy into the classroom. In an effort to promote access, belonging, and community, faculty can use classroom polls to invite all students to share their thoughts and participate early and often. At the GCC Center for Teaching, Learning, and Engagement (CTLE), we refer to these principles as the ABCs, and classroom polls offer a simple way to put them into practice and support all learners.
Using Google Forms as Polls
What is a Poll?
A poll is a short survey with a single question or a small set of closed-ended questions. People respond to a poll by choosing from a list of provided options. Polls are popular because they are easy to complete and give quick insights into what people think about a topic.
Common Poll Types for the Classroom
| Poll Type | Purpose | Example |
| Benchmark | Establish a baseline before a class (or module) | How familiar are we with this topic? |
| Brushfire | Measure reaction to an urgent topic | What do you think of this recent change? |
| Entrance | Collect data at the start of class (or module) | Why are you enrolled in this class? |
| Exit | Collect data at the end of class (or module) | How satisfied are you with this class (or module)? |
| Opinion | Collect opinions on a specific topic | What is your opinion on this topic? |
| Straw | Informal and quick poll about initial interest | Are you interested in this topic or idea? |
| Tracking | Collect data about changes in opinion over time | Has your opinion on this topic changed? |
How to Make a Poll Using Google Forms
- Open Google Forms and start a blank form: Go to forms.google.com and click “Blank” to open a new canvas.
- Add a multiple-choice question: Click the empty question field and confirm the dropdown menu is set to “Multiple choice.”
- Write your question and answer options: Type a clear, neutral question. Replace the placeholder options with your answer choices, keeping each choice under 8 words.
- Limit responses to one per person (optional): Open Settings, go to the Responses section, and turn on “Limit to 1 response.” Note: Forcing sign-in dedupes votes, but it means responses are not completely anonymous.
- Customize Theme for the poll and add a header image: Click the palette icon at the top to choose an accent color, font, and header image.
- Share the poll link or embed it: Select “Publish” at the top. Copy the shareable link (responder link) to send to students, or copy the embed code to place the poll on a Canvas page.
How to Review the Responses of the Poll
Responses are live in the “Responses” tab of the form. There are three views:
- Summary – Charts are best for a quick read.
- Question – One question at a time, all answers. Useful for spot-checking.
- Individual – One respondent at a time. Useful for matching responses back to an individual (if you collected email addresses).
Responses can be exported to Google Sheets with the green Sheets icon. Look for the Link to Sheets option in the top-right corner of the Google form.
Not familiar with Google Forms or need a refresher on the latest updates? Stop by our office or send us a message and we’ll get you up to speed.
The ABCs of Classroom Polling
Access: Creating Options and Removing Barriers – Access addresses the intentional choices we make to create options, flexibility, and opportunities that enable all of us to learn, work, and grow more effectively. It works together with accessibility standards to remove learning barriers for individuals with observable and non-observable disabilities. Reviewing learning activities and offering multiple ways for students to engage helps create equal choices for all learners.
Faculty Takeaway: Access is proactive and flexible. In your course, design flexible options for students to participate: Polls give students a low-barrier way to respond before the stakes feel high. They do not require complex setup. Consider a Straw Poll or an Entrance Poll:
Straw Poll:
A quick, informal poll used to gauge initial interest, preferences, or comfort levels. It gives students an easy, low-stakes way to share input without feeling put on the spot or needing a complex setup.
Example: “Which assignment topic or format would you prefer to explore for this module?”
Entrance Poll:
Placed at the start of a class session or new module to collect quick pre-engagement data. It sets up a proactive, accessible entry point so every student can participate early in the lesson.
Example: “How familiar are you with this topic before we begin?”
Belonging: Making Space for Every Voice – Belonging is rooted in trust and refers to mindful practices that recognize the dignity and value of every individual. It acknowledges our obligation to make and maintain space for all voices and recognizes the incredible value of differing perspectives. When we build a sense of belonging, students feel safe, valued, and supported in the classroom.
Faculty Takeaway: Belonging is rooted in recognizing the dignity and value of every person. Quick polls allow every student in the room to answer without fear of speaking out loud. This helps create a safe space for participation where all voices matter. Consider an Opinion Poll or an Exit Poll:
Opinion Poll:
An opinion poll gathers general thoughts and differing perspectives without a single “right” or “wrong” answer. This shows students that their personal views are valued, giving everyone a quiet, safe way to contribute to class discussions.
Example Question: “Which perspective on this topic aligns most with your personal experience?”
Exit Poll:
An exit poll collects feedback as students leave class. It gives students a private, low-pressure way to reflect on the lesson and share how supported or comfortable they felt during class, helping build trust between you and your students over time.
Example Question: “How comfortable did you feel contributing your ideas during class today?”
Community: Building Connections and Shared Goals – Community is at the heart of our college and focuses on active learning, peer connection, and collaboration. It strives to develop experiences that look toward the future while building relationships of support between faculty and students. Supporting employees and students together models the quality and innovation of higher education.
Faculty Takeaway: Community is built on shared determination and peer support. Using polls for quick group decisions or active learning checks builds camaraderie and peer connection. When students see their collective input shaping class, they feel part of a shared learning community.
Benchmark Poll:
A benchmark poll establishes baseline data before a lesson or topic. Using it for a quick active learning check lets students see the class’s collective starting point, reinforcing peer connection and shared learning goals from day one.
Example Question: “How familiar are we as a class with today’s topic before we begin?”
Brushfire Poll:
A brushfire poll measures immediate reactions or votes on a current issue. It is ideal for quick group decision-making—such as picking a review topic, project scenario, or discussion focus—helping students see how their collective choices directly guide the class.
Example Question: “Which real-world scenario should our class (or groups) analyze together today?”
Resources
While access to specific tools may vary by college, these resources do provide practical guidance on using polling to increase student participation and support learning.
- Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation: Polling Tips – Guidance on using polls to activate learning, identify misconceptions, encourage problem-solving, gather feedback, and spark discussion. Also includes recommendations for question types, accessibility, and the number of polls to use during a class.
- DePaul University Teaching Commons: Polling – Explains how polling can include more students—not only the most outspoken—and build classroom community by displaying aggregate results. It includes ideas such as discussion warm-ups, comprehension checks, classroom experiments, and “choose your own adventure” lessons.
- Washington University Center for Teaching and Learning: Polling – Overview – Discusses polling as an active-learning strategy, including ways to use it for checking understanding, encouraging reflection, facilitating discussion, supporting participation, and addressing controversial topics. It also emphasizes that instructors should connect poll questions to learning goals and follow up on the results through discussion or clarification.
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