Poll Everywhere FAQs & Known Issues

This article will answer common instructor questions about Poll Everywhere and provide solutions for known issues related to grading, integrations, login, accessibility, and classroom use.

Quick Links: | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | Common Known Issues and Solutions |

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Poll Results and Visibility

Why can’t I see my poll results?

• Ensure you are logged into the correct Poll Everywhere account.
• Confirm the activity is active.
• Click Activate for the activity.

Poll results will only display live when the poll is active.

Registration and Grading Requirements

Do students need to register?

If you require identification for grading purposes, students must register and log in using Chico State SSO. This ensures responses are tracked correctly and grades sync properly to the Canvas gradebook.

Anonymous responses cannot be graded.

Changing Student Responses

Can students change their answers?

Students can only change responses if Allow Changes is enabled in the activity settings. If disabled, responses are final once submitted.

Accessibility in Poll Everywhere

Is Poll Everywhere accessible?

Yes. Poll Everywhere supports screen readers.

• Use Multiple Choice polls instead of Clickable Image polls for graded content.
• Avoid image-only answer options when possible.

Backup Options During Technical Issues

What if the Poll Everywhere app fails during class?

If the mobile app or desktop integration fails, participants can use a web browser on a smartphone or laptop as a reliable backup option.

Common Known Issues and Solutions

PowerPoint and Keynote Poll Display Issues

Symptoms:

• Polls do not display.
• Polls appear blank.
• Polls do not update in Presenter View.

Solutions:

• Disable Presenter View in PowerPoint settings.
• On Mac, use Force Monitor Selection in the Poll Everywhere Desktop App.
• Ensure you are logged into the Poll Everywhere Desktop App before starting your slideshow.

Managing Answer Visibility in Graded Polls

If Allow Changes is enabled:

• Students can use Toggle Correctness in their response history to view the correct answer.
• Students can change their answer while the poll remains active.

To prevent this:

• Set the poll to Don’t Allow Changes.
• Lock or deactivate the poll before displaying the correct answer.

SMS/Text Response Errors

Issue: Students receive an error message when texting responses.

Solution:

• Ensure the student’s mobile carrier allows texting to shortcodes.
• If texting fails, advise students to use a web browser or the mobile app instead.

Preventing Polls from Remaining Active After Class

Poll activities remain active for 24 hours by default.

• Manually deactivate the poll.
• Lock the poll when the session ends.

Login and Network Connection Issues

If the login window does not load or the app does not connect:

• Check firewall or proxy settings on your device.
• Ensure you are connected to the official eduroam network while on campus.