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Online Polling Tools

Online Polling Tools

Owned by Emma Ridder
Last updated: Mar 05, 2025
5 min read

UCLA offers a variety of polling tools that can be used to create interactive polls for classes, meetings, and conferences. Here are a few:

iClicker

iClicker Cloud

iClicker is an audience polling tool that is integrated in Bruin Learn. iClicker Cloud offers advanced polling, quizzing, and online grading for remote, face-to-face and hybrid presentations. Instructors can use the iClicker software to ask students questions during class. Students respond to iClicker polls using either a physical iClicker remote or the iClicker Student Mobile or Web App App. Once the poll is closed, in-class polling results can be displayed immediately. Responses can be synchronized with the student roster and gradebook in Bruin Learn. iClicker Events is paid for by the University and available to instructors and students across campus at no cost.

 

FOR STUDENTS:

 

How to Create an iClicker Student Account

To sign in and create your iClicker Student account, create an iClicker student account through the campus portal. Students are able to sign in to the UCLA campus portal using Single Sign-On. When you first sign in to the UCLA campus portal as a student, you have three options:  

  • Option 1: You can link your official institution account. iClicker will check if you have used an existing account with an official UCLA email and automatically sign you in. 

  • Option 2: You can link and update a non-official account, If you have an iClicker account that is not associated with an official UCLA email, iClicker will prompt you to connect it with your UCLA campus portal sign-in.

  • Option 3: You can create an account.

 

How to Use the Student App or Web App to Participate in iClicker Activities

You can download the iClicker Student Mobile App via the App Store or Google Play.

You can use the iClicker Student Web App (Select University of California Los Angeles through the Campus Portal).

 

How to Join an Instructor’s iClicker Cloud Course

The instructor will likely use the Roster and Grade sync option to connect the iClicker Cloud course to Bruin Learn. If students have an iClicker Cloud Student account and it is set up correctly (see section above), they will be added to your instructor’s iClicker Cloud course automatically. When students sign into the iClicker Student Mobile App or the Web App, they will see that they’re added to your instructor’s iClicker Cloud course listed under Courses.

Alternatively, an instructor may provide a Join Code that students can use to access the course using the Student Mobile App or Web App. Here are instruction on how to add an Instructor's Course in the iClicker Student App.

 

FOR INSTRUCTORS:

 

How to Create a Course & Run Polls

First, create an iClicker Cloud account. Create an iClicker Cloud account through the campus portal. Instructors and students are now able to sign in to the iClicker UCLA campus portal using Single Sign-On.  When you first sign in to the iClicker campus portal, you have three options: 

  • Option 1: You can link your official institution account. iClicker will check if you have used an existing account with an official UCLA email and automatically sign you in.

  • Option 2: You can link and update a non-official account. If you have an iClicker account that is not associated with an official UCLA email, iClicker will prompt you to connect it with your UCLA campus portal sign-in.

  • Option 3: You can create an account.

 

Then, create an iClicker Cloud course following these instructions from iClicker and send course information to your students. You might also send them the student-centered on how to create an account and participate in activities listed above.

 

Finally, build polling activities. 

  • Start your course, then click the “Poll” icon on the iClicker toolbar. It will then display polling options: Multiple Choice, Short Answer, Numeric, Target, and Multiple Answer. The question type you select will apply to subsequent Polling questions in the same class session, until you choose another question type from the drop-down menu. 

  • Select the “Play” button to begin a polling question. With the first poll of each class session, you'll be prompted to select which screen or window iClicker will screenshot and share with students. Click “Select” to continue.

  • Students can then respond to your poll. To end the poll, select the stop button in the toolbar. Select the Results icon in the iClicker toolbar to view class responses.

 

How to Sync Grades from iClicker Cloud to Canvas & Track Attendance

Check out this guide from iClicker support on how to sync your roster and grades via Canvas.

Check out this guide from iClicker support on how to track attendance using iClicker.

iClicker Events

iClicker Events is an add-on service available to instructors with an iClicker Cloud account. Designed for quick and flexible polling, iClicker Events allows instructors to easily create and launch polls without the need to set up a full iClicker Course. Participants also do not need an iClicker account to join an iClicker Event poll; instructors simply share a join code via a link or QR code, and participants can respond using a browser on their phone, tablet, or computer without any app installation required. iClicker Events is paid for by the University and available to instructors and students across campus at no cost.

Online Polling Tool (OPT)

OARC’s free online polling tool (OPT) allows any UCLA faculty, staff, or student to create interactive polls that can be shared in courses, meetings, or conference sessions. OPT enables users to create opportunities for audience interaction without requiring students to download polling apps or purchase physical clickers. OPT features six different types of questions and full course roster integration for all UCLA faculty and instructors. 

Visit https://onlinepoll.ucla.edu/ to access the tool and view a demo.

Poll Everywhere

Poll Everywhere is an audience polling tool that enables participants to respond to live polling questions. Instructors can use Poll Everywhere to build interactive polling activities for their classes with many different activity types, including multiple choice questions, word clouds, open-ended questions, clickable image questions, ranking, Q&A, and surveys. Students are able to access and vote on polls using their smartphones or computers. If desired, instructors can set polls as anonymous or choose to hide the screen names of participants. Poll Everywhere provides plug-ins and extensions for PowerPoint and Google Slides, enabling seamless integration directly into presentation slides.

Poll Everywhere can be integrated in specific Bruin Learn courses based on department licensing. DGIT and the Anderson School of Management have purchased a Poll Everywhere license for their faculty. If your department is interested in a Poll Everywhere license, please reach out to bruinlearn-support@it.ucla.edu(link sends email) to inquire about a departmental license.

Visit https://www.polleverywhere.com/ to access the tool, view a demo, and see pricing options.

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