Real-time polling to help corral university-learners' wandering minds

Abstract

Purpose: This research investigates the use of real-time online polling to enhance university teaching and learning. Design/methodology/approach: Using a case study and employing action research, this work shows how polling can improve professional practice, learner engagement and teaching performance. Findings: Incorporating the right type of online real-time polling into lessons is a professional challenge and can be hard work for teachers but has overriding benefits. Research limitations/implications: This research reports one lecturer's experiences within two UK universities, limited to location, variety of students and lecturer technical capability. The research implications are that online polling, especially in different learning environments, is needed. Previous research is outdated or limited to real-time polling for teaching and learning during physical classes. There are research opportunities therefore in the use of polling before, during and after class. Practical implications: This research finds that the field of online polling needs to be seen as a modern teaching tool that now uses students' personal technology for easier use by students and teachers: it is more than the use of archaic “clickers” which were extra classroom items to be bought and maintained. Also, online polling, before, during and after classes, can be employed usefully and have validity within teachers' toolboxes. This paper shows how such polls can be successfully deployed. Originality/value: Whilst there are previous reports of polling undertaken within teaching and learning events, this paper builds upon those experiences and boosts collective understanding about the use of polling as a way to improve professional practice and increase learning.