Device in the classroom | Poll Everywhere

Love them or hate them, cell phones are a common sight in today’s classrooms. But there are ways to turn technology into powerful engagement tools that inspire students to participate in class.

We’ll show you the benefits of embracing electronic devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets in the classroom, plus how to effectively use digital devices to everyone’s advantage in our comprehensive guide. Here’s a peek at what you’ll find inside:

A comparison of the pros and cons of using mobile devices in higher education classrooms, including improving digital literacy and capturing students’ attention.
An exploration of how the use of technology creates positive learning experiences by giving college students equal access to participate, regardless of disabilities or learning styles.
A deep dive into apps and educational technology that turn cell phones into student learning and participation tools, plus tips on how to implement technology for admin tasks like updating your syllabus, sending students notifications, and giving students access to course materials for further learning on their own time.

Michael Leonard, professor of chemistry at Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, used Poll Everywhere to turn cell phone use into positive learning experiences:

“Throughout class, I use Poll Everywhere to keep students engaged and break the material up so that I'm not constantly talking. It changes the pace and wakes students up. I can then get instant feedback on whether they actually understood the material or whether everybody's flummoxed.”

Michael Leonard, Professor of chemistry at Washington and Jefferson College
Michael Leonard, Professor of chemistry at Washington and Jefferson College
Usha Sankar, Ph.D., advanced lecturer at Fordham University in New York, uses the Poll Everywhere app to create interactive lesson plans:

“I really like activating a multiple-choice question, displaying the results, and then discussing why everyone chose those options. Students feel like they’re not alone and can explain their thought processes to me and each other. That really gets a good discussion going and also helps me clear up misconceptions.”

Usha Sankar, Ph.D., advanced lecturer at Fordham University in New York
Usha Sankar, Ph.D., advanced lecturer at Fordham University in New York

Inside the toolkit

New to teaching remotely? The Remote Learning Toolkit shows you how to add life to your lessons without changing your current workflows. Add polls to existing lecture slides, then activate them during class to collect student input or even take attendance! No matter where your students are located, with Poll Everywhere you can be sure they’re paying attention.

Turn smartphones into engagement tools

Get the Guide

Ready to discover how technology in the classroom can help you boost student performance and create an engaging learning environment?

Inside the toolkit