A 2022 study found that a whopping 94% of students want to use their cellphones in class for academic purposes, and 75% believe this helps them learn and retain information.The presence of smartphones has increased in classrooms, and educators are increasingly harnessing that presence to boost learning.
One method some teachers use are online student polls. Classroom polls offer a fast, low-stakes way to check understanding, invite quiet students to participate, and spark lively discussion without disrupting the flow of a lesson. Those anonymous check-ins help teachers reinforce key ideas or tailor explanations where students are struggling in real time.
What is a classroom poll?
A classroom poll is a short, real-time question or activity that helps instructors gauge understanding, spark reflection, or surface students' opinions using devices like smartphones, laptops, or tablets.
These quick prompts might ask learners to choose the least clear step in a process, weigh in on a reading, or offer a one-word reaction to a concept. Because the responses aggregate instantly, classroom polls give teachers a clear snapshot of what is landing and what isn’t.
Teaching centers such as Cornell’s Center for Teaching Innovation describe polls as a fast way to foster active learning because they invite every student to participate simultaneously. A simple class poll can increase attention, nudge more students to contribute, and help instructors adjust explanations without losing momentum.
Why online polling works for students
- Group contribution encourages active engagement.
- Anonymity lowers the stakes, giving students confidence to participate.
- Results appear within seconds, offering real-time feedback.
- Instructors can revisit poll items later to check progress or spark discussion.
Why use classroom polls for students
Classroom research shows the impact of quick, low-stakes polling. A 2023 study on live polling in undergraduate lectures found that students reported higher attention, stronger participation, and greater motivation when polls were part of the lesson.
The same pattern appears across K–12 and higher ed. Many students already use their phones for academic tasks. Remember those 94% of students who wanted to use their cellphones in class for academic purposes? Well, 59% say in-class polls would help them better engage with what’s being taught.
For instructors, the benefit is twofold: clearer insight into how students are understanding the material and a more active, connected learning environment across the course.
How to increase classroom participation with polls for students
Increasing participation often comes down to giving every student a low-pressure way to join in, and quick polls offer exactly that. A few easy poll types can help you spark engagement, surface questions sooner, and keep the class moving.
Easy ways to integrate online polls in the classroom
These education surveys offer a low-stakes environment for students to share their voices, transforming passive listening into an interactive learning experience.
- Anonymous check-ins: Students can ask questions anonymously, creating a collaborative learning environment.
- Attendance polls: A quick scan helps start class faster and more efficiently.
- Mini quizzes: Short questions reinforce new material and keep attention high.
- Discussion warm-ups: A quick stance or prediction gives every student an entry point into conversation.
- Course feedback moments: Small prompts reveal how students are experiencing pacing and clarity.
These examples show how flexible classroom polls can be.
Create your online classroom poll
Creating a class poll often begins with a simple question you want students to consider. Many instructors start with an education survey template and tailor one prompt to match the day’s lesson, then share it with students through a QR code or short link.
- Choose an education-focused template from the education survey template library.
- Edit the question to match the concept or skill you want to check.
- Generate a link or QR code using the built-in sharing options.
- Display the QR code on your slide or projector so students can open the poll quickly.
- Show the live results and use the responses to guide the next explanation or discussion.
SurveyMonkey keeps the entire process smooth—templates reduce setup time, mobile-friendly links make participation easy, and real-time charts help you interpret results without breaking the flow of class.
Ensure privacy, accessibility, and device flexibility
When students are ready to use their devices for class, the experience needs to work smoothly; otherwise, a poll meant to spark participation could actually make it worse. Clear access, a simple design, and thoughtful privacy choices help keep attention on the lesson rather than troubleshooting.
- Clear text: Use straightforward wording that students can read quickly.
- Contrast: Ensure text and backgrounds are easy to distinguish.
- Screen-reader support: Make sure content can be read aloud for students who rely on assistive tech.
- Mobile-friendly layout: Keep questions easy to tap and scroll on small screens.
- Minimal load time: Use lightweight question types that open instantly on any connection.
SurveyMonkey supports these needs automatically: anonymous response settings keep participation low-stakes, mobile-first layouts adjust to any device, and built-in accessibility features follow best practices without requiring extra setup. You can explore these options in our accessibility guide to help every student participate without friction.
Run classroom polls live or after class
Classroom polls can work synchronously or asynchronously. In a live session, instructors often highlight the question, prompt students to respond, and reveal the aggregated answers right away. This approach supports real-time explanation—if results show a split understanding, the next few minutes can address the gap before moving forward. When polls are assigned after class, students have more time to reflect, and instructors often use the results to tailor the next session’s opening activity.
Live classroom checklist
- Display the QR code or poll link at the front of the room.
- Share whether results will remain private or be shown to the group.
- Wait for all responses to appear before advancing the discussion.
- Re-poll if the goal is to measure learning after an explanation.
After-class checklist
- Provide a clear deadline so students know when to respond.
- Use a short, focused question that captures one core idea.
- Review results before the next class to plan the opening minutes.
- Pair the poll with a summary note or follow-up prompt if needed.
Online poll questions for students
Polls for classroom use work best when each question matches a clear instructional purpose. A well-chosen prompt can clarify misconceptions, spark reflection, or set up a discussion. The list below includes a mix of multiple-choice, rating, and open-format ideas commonly used in classroom polls. Each connects to a specific teaching tactic to help the results translate into action.
Multiple-choice questions
- “Which step is least clear right now?” Ideal for mid-lesson comprehension checks. Instructors often revisit the most-selected step before introducing new material.
- “Which example best illustrates today’s concept?” Useful for identifying where students are anchoring their understanding and whether those anchors are accurate.
- “Which claim do you agree with most?” A simple way to warm up a debate or discussion, especially before small groups form.
- “Which answer would you choose if this were on a quiz?” Offers a no-stakes way for students to assess their readiness before formal assessment.
Word cloud prompts
- “One word about today’s topic.” Often used as an opener or closer to gauge mood and familiarity. Larger repeated words guide instructors toward what students are noticing most.
- “What concept should we revisit next class?” Helps instructors build learning sequences directly from student feedback.
Rating-scale questions
- “How confident do you feel about solving a problem like this?” When confidence ratings fall below roughly 60 percent, many teaching centers recommend reteaching or adding examples.
- “How clear is the connection between today’s reading and the lecture?” Creates a bridge between materials and helps instructors plan future integrations.
- “How prepared do you feel for next week’s exam?” Provides early insight into areas where review or clarification could help.
Short-answer questions
- “What’s one question you still have?” Anonymous responses often surface uncertainties that students are hesitant to raise aloud.
- “What’s one idea that surprised you today?” Encourages reflection and highlights concepts that stand out during the lesson.
Together, these prompts offer a flexible set of starting points for any online poll for students. They work well across formats and can be repurposed in both live and asynchronous settings.
Get started with online student polls
Educators often find that the first class poll becomes the catalyst for many more. Once students learn how quickly they can participate, the learning experience becomes more interactive. Online polls for students support real-time clarity, help instructors spot misconceptions early, and promote a stronger sense of connection between students and teachers in the classroom.
Want to learn more about polls?
In this webinar, Nancy Biliwise Ph.D., Vice Provost of Academic Planning and Professor of Pedagogy from Emory University shares how she uses surveys to improve classroom management, learning, and the student experience.
