What is Live Poll?

Live Poll is a digital quizzing and attendance tool that is free for students and faculty. It integrates seamlessly with Canvas for any FIU course and can geofence polling to any location on campus. Live Poll allows faculty to give both formative and summative assessments with many answer formats available, such as multiple-choice, essay, file upload, matching, heat map, word cloud, multiple-answer, numerical, string and more.

Live Poll for Canvas is a homegrown innovation developed by FIU faculty, based upon an adaptation of Live Poll from the open-source platform IMathAS.



How to use Live Poll (for instructors)

• Setting up an IMathAS Instructor Account
  • An IMathAS instructor account is required to use Live Poll. The account is always free. If you already have an instructor account, do not set up another one, just simply log in here, as usual: IMathAS Instructor Login
    
    
  • If you forgot your password or want to reset it, go here: Password Reset
    
    
  • If you forgot your username, then look it up here: Username Lookup
    
    
  • To establish your instructor account for the first time, make a request here: Instructor Account Request It takes up to 24 hours for your request to be approved; at the time of approval you will receive a confirmation email sent to the email address you provided.
    
• Setting up your Live Poll course
  
  Click on the above video to watch a step-by-step view of the below sequence of instructions.
  
  
  1. After signing into IMathAS here: IMathAS Instructor Login scroll down and click on "Add New Course":
     
     
     
  2. You must create a separate IMathAS course for each section you teach.
     
     
  3. Select “Copy from my, a colleague's, or template course” , then select “Template Courses” followed by selecting “Live Poll SHELL”:
     Note: This method is very useful as it guarantees Live Poll Sync is set up and does not need to be modified.
     
     
     
  4. Make a unique course name, specific to your course. Avoid verbatim use of a course name that already exists. Leave the "Enrollment key" box empty, it will never be needed:
     
     
     
  5. Before hitting the "Submit" button, you have several feature types to expand and adjust at the bottom of the screen. Be careful, as usually the default options are the ones wanted.
     
     
  6. After hitting the "Submit" button, you are returned back to the main page where you will find the "Live Poll Sync" assessment and under its toggle gear you select "Settings". Do not change any settings, with the possible exception of "Participation Weight" under the "Grading and Feedback" tab at the bottom of the page.
     
     You have to make a decision for the whole course on how much of the grade for a question you want to come from the student simply participating. Here is an example setting, namely the slider positioned so that all students get 80% on a question for attempting it, without ever answering it correctly, no matter how many attempt(s) they are allowed on it.
     
  
  
• Connecting your Live Poll course to Canvas
  
  Click on the above video to watch a step-by-step view of the below sequence of instructions.
  
  You will need to install two different links in Canvas in order to get Live Poll up and running.
  
  

  First Step: To start, you will need to set up the actual Live Poll.
  
  1. Go to your course in Canvas and click on "Modules" on the left:
     
     
     
  2. Find the Module marked “Student Resources" and click the arrow to expand it, and then click on the "+" sign:
     
     
     
  3. From the dropdown menu select "Add External Tool", and then scroll down and choose "IMathAS", then click on "Add Item":
     Note: If the scroll feature does not work for your browser, then copy and paste this directly in the URL box instead: https://imathas.fiu.edu/bltilaunch.php For the "Page Name" box enter "IMathAS".
     
     
     
  4. You should now see IMathAS in the module. Click the three dots to the right of IMathAS and choose "Edit":
     
     
     
  5. Change the title to "Live Poll" and click "Update":
     
     
     
  6. Click on the little "No Solution" symbol to publish:
     
     
     

  Second Step: Next, you will need to set up the link that will allow the grades to sync from IMathAS to Canvas. Once this is set up, you will not need to touch it the rest of the semester. Your students will need to click on this link only once in order to activate their grade sync.
  
  
  1. Go to your course in Canvas and click on "Assignments" on the left:
     
     
     
  2. Click on “+ Assignment“:
     
     
     
  a. Set the Assignment Name to “Live Poll Sync” and then set the Points to 100:
  
  
  b. Set Submission Type to "External Tool", then on the next screen here click on "Find", select “IMathAS” and click on "Select":
  
  
  c. Click on "Save & Publish".
  
  
  3. Once you have done this, you will see a prompt asking you to log into your instructor IMathAS account. You will only need to do this once. This will link your Canvas account with your IMathAS account.
     
     
  4. On the next page, slect "Change Course Link":
     
     
     
  5. Next, from the "Link Resource" screen select the "Live Poll Sync" assessment from the drop-down menu followed by clicking "Make Placement":
     
     
     
  6. If everything is configured properly, you will see a screen similar to below. Note that the Canvas placement for Live Poll Sync is in assignments as shown here:
     
     
     
  Finally click on "Modules" in the left-column, scroll down to the module where you want the insert the "Live Poll Sync" button for students.
  
  Note: Putting it within a module that is different from the module that contains "Live Poll" is a decision you get to make. Students attempting to enter a Live Poll assessment during class may mistakenly think they should access it via "Live Poll Sync", which will never display the assessment questions.
  
  Click on "+ assignment" to the right of the module you want and Select “Live Poll Sync” from the list and click on “Add Item”
  
• Writing your own custom Live Poll questions
  
  Click on the above video to watch a step-by-step view of the below sequence of instructions.
  
  

  1. Log into IMathAS.
     
     
  2. In the left column click on "Manage" under Questions:
     
  
  
  3. At the top click on "Select Libraries":
  
  
  4. Check the box for "General Templates" and then click "Use Libraries":
  
  
  5. Click on "Search" while leaving the search box empty. You will then see a list of questions that you can use as templates including:
     
  A) Multiple Choice with four or five alternatives
  B) Questions of various answer formats
  To use of one these types to build your own custom question, identify the question and from the Action drop-down menu select "Template (copy)":
  The "Writing Questions Help" and "Macro Library Help" links will assist you in understanding the different components of writing your question. Here is where you the links are found:
  Be sure to attend to the settings, in particular the four indicated here:
  
  In "Description" write how you wish the question to be named.
  In "Use Rights" note that allowing modifications will permit others to permanently alter commands, wording, and settings to your question, as they desire. The "Allow use by all" feature gives access to the question to anyone else at FIU to use on their own, including make a separate template copy of your question that they can edit.
  Do adjust the library under "My library assignments" to have it reflect what library/libraries that you want. Do not keep any of your custom questions under "General Templates".
  
• Example: Writing a custom multiple-choice question
  
  Click on the above video to watch a step-by-step view of the below sequence of instructions.
  
  1. Click on the arrow to the right of the assignment and select "Questions" from the drop-down menu:
  
  
  2. Click on “Add New Question”:
  
  
  3. Click on “Tutorial Style Editor”:
  
  
  4. In “Description” write the name of the question.
  
  5. In “Use Rights” we suggest changing it “Allow use , use as template, no modifications”.
  
  6. Enter in the multiple-choice answers. You can click on the “E” next to each answer to get the math type editor.
  
  7. Under "Question Text" enter in the text of the question:
  a. To add math type, click on the "Add New Math" button.
  You can also use the link: http://www1.chapman.edu/~jipsen/mathml/asciimathsyntax.html to find a list of some of the available mathtype options.
  
  b. To add a picture, click on "Insert" and then “Image”.
  
  8. On the bottom, select “Save and Test”. The problem will pop up in an alternate window.
  
  9. Click on “Add/Remove Questions” at the topic to get back to your assessment.
  
  
  10. If you do not see your question listed in the list below, you may need to change the library. Click on "Select Libraries" which will pull up a box that will allow you to select the library in which you will store your question.
  
  
  11. Click on “Use Libraries” once you have checked the box next to the correct library:
  
  
  12. Check the box next to the question that you want to add and then click "Add (using defaults)":
  
  
  13. You can reorder the questions by click on the drop down next to the question and changing the Question Number:
  
  
  14. You can remove a question by checking the box next to it and selecting “Remove”:
  
  
  15. When you are finished, select “Done”.
  
• Setting up a Live Poll session before class
  
  Click on the above video to watch a step-by-step view of the below sequence of instructions.
  
  Log into IMathAS and select your course.
  
  

  1. The first time it will look like this. So that model settings are maintained, you should always create new assessments by choosing "Copy" under the toggle gear for the "Example" assessment already there:
     
     
  2. This generates a new assessment called "Example (Copy)". Under its toggle gear select "Settings", and then on the next screen you should switch to "Simple View" at the top right. Rename the assessment in the box.
     
     
  3. If you want your students to review the questions, answers, and their responses after a certain date and time, then set that date and time as the "Available Until", then scroll down and set "Show Answers" to be "After due date(in gradebook)":
     
     
  4. At the bottom of the screen you will see several settings to consider adjusting.
     Once finished hit "Save Changes".
     
     
  5. Now you will select the questions you want to use for your assessment. Click on "Questions" under the drop-down menu for your assessment:
     
  6. Then use the "Search" features to locate the questions you want to add:
     
  7. After adding your questions hit "Done":
     
• Running a Live Poll session during class
  
  Click on the above video to watch a step-by-step view of the below sequence of instructions.
  
  1. Log into your course in Canvas.
  
  2. Click on "Modules" on the left-hand side.
  
  3. Open up "Student Resources" and click on "Live Poll" (this will next take you directly to IMathAS):
  
  
  4. Your first time using the Live Poll during the course you will see the following screen:
  
  Choose your course from the dropdown menu and click "Link Course". You will not need to do this again during the semester.
  If you find that your course is linked to the wrong IMathAS course, then click on "Change Course Link". This will allow you to choose and place the correct course.
  
  
  5. Choose the assessment that you want and click "Make Placement":
  
  
  6. Announce to your students that they should now log into Canvas and access the Live Poll. If they do so before you click "Make Placement", then they will need to click on the Live Poll link again in Canvas.
  
  7. Assuming that the assessment is ready to go, click on "Preview Assessment", which will take you directly to the question into IMathAS.
  
  
  8. The assessments have three default settings:
  a. Show question on this computer before it is available to students – this allows you to see the question and verify it for yourself before the students see it.
  b. Show results on your computer after closing the assessment – this shows you the breakdown of student results after the assessment is finished.
  c. Show answers automatically after closing the assessment – this shows the students whether or not their answer is correct as well as the correct answer on their screens.
  
  9. If you wish the question to have a time limit, you will need to check "Use per-question time limit" and set the time you wish. If selected, students will see the time running out on their screens during the assessment.
  Note: the default is to not have a time limit for the question.
  
  
  10. If you wish to see the student results as the students select their options while the assessment is still open, check "Show results on this computer as students submit answers":
  
  
  11. Select the question that you want from the left-hand side under "Questions". This will open up the question for you. You can do the questions in any order you like.
  
  
  12. To start the assessment and have it shown to students, click on "Start Assessment". This will send the assessment to all of the students’ screens. You will be able to see the time running on the upper right-hand side.
  Note: if you have students that cannot see the question, have them refresh the page or click on the Live Poll link again in Canvas.
  
  
  13. To close the quiz, click on "Stop Assessment":
  
  
  14. To do another question from the assessment, click on the new question to load it and then repeat the "Start Assessment"—->"Stop Assessment" cycle, just as in the earlier question.
  
  
  15. When finished asking all the questions you want to from this assessment, you have two options:
  • If you are done using Live Poll for the class meeting, then simply navigate away within Canvas as you like.
  • If, however, you have another Live Poll assessment to conduct, then click "Modules" followed by "Live Poll" and then on the next screen select the assessment you wish to conduct next, using the drop-down menu and then place it. Repeat steps 7 through 14 above.
  
• Example: Doing a heat map question
  1. To create a heat map question first make sure that "Heatmap" is selected as the question type. Then, upload the picture on which you want to do the question:
  
  
  2. Next, in the Question Text box add in any instructions you want along with "$heatmap":
  
  
  3. Finally, place one circle or multiple circles to mark the region where students can click on the picture to get the question scored as correct. You can control the radius of the circle with the slider, however you must set the radius before placing the circle. Different circles are allowed to have different radii:
  
  
  4. After the question is run, you can see the student results, which will appear like this:
  
  
  
• Example: Doing a word cloud question
  1. The word cloud question type has been combined with the essay question type. To run a word cloud simply set up and run your desired question in the essay type format.
  
  2. To see the question results in a word cloud structure while the question is active to students or once it is closed, simply click "Word Cloud":
  
  
  
• Managing your Gradebook after class
  
  Click on the above video to watch a step-by-step view of the below sequence of instructions.
  
  

  To adjust the score of a specific student on a specific assessment question you:
  
  
  1. Click on "Modules" and then "Live Poll".
  
  
  2. From the drop-down menu on the next screen, set and place the assessment you want to adjust for the student. This generates the following screen, from which you select "Assessment Grades":
     
     
     
  3. On the next screen scroll down to locate the student's row and then click on the number under the "Grade" column:
     
     
     
  4. Scroll down to find the question whose score you want to adjust. You adjust the point value in the box and then click "Record Changed Grades" here:
     
     
     

  If you want to eliminate a question for everyone in the class from a past Live Poll assessment, you have two options.
  
  
  1. Start by clicking on "Live Poll" and setting the assessment you want. Then you click on "Questions" as here:
     
     
     
  2. On the next screen locate the question you want to eliminate and select "Withdraw" from under its drop-down menu:
     
     
     
  3. To eliminate the question as if it never existed, choose the first option, and then click "Withdraw Question":
     
     
     
  4. To keep the question, but score it as correct, choose the second option, and then click "Withdraw Question":
     
     
     

Frequently Asked Questions (for instructors)

• What devices and browsers should my students use for Live Poll?
  Live Poll can be used on a laptop, desktop, Chromebook, tablet, iPad, and smartphone. It works well on all browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. In addition, the Canvas app is an option for smartphones and tablets. Basically, any hardware/software choices that will let students do work in their Canvas course already, will continue to work successfully when they do Live Poll.
• Should students on smartphones and tablets use the Canvas Student app or a web browser?
  Either will work fine. The slight advantage of the Canvas Student app is that is logged in all the time, so students have faster access. Live Poll is easier to use with the app.
• Should student smartphones use cellular data or FIU WiFi?
  Either will work fine, in principle. Students should connect to FIU_SECUREWiFi over FIU_WiFi, even if FIU_WiFi may work fine.
• How can I make the questions and answers reviewable to students after class?
  Adjust the settings at the assessment level to accomplish this. As long as the assessment is available and the answers are open to review in the gradebook it will work, as shown here, under the "Settings" selection for the specific assessment: Instruct students to click on "Live Poll Sync" to see the questions, answers, and moreover their actual responses to the items that compose the assessment.
• I have a student who claims the posted Live Poll grade in Canvas is incorrect. What can I do to check?
  You should log into IMathAS here IMathAS Instructor Login then select the course the student is in, followed by clicking on gradebook in the left-column.
• I have a multi-question Live Poll assessment, and I only did some, but not all of the questions during class. Should I delete the unused ones?
  It is recommended that you leave them alone, unless you think it will reduce student confusion. The unused questions have no effect on the grade generated for the assessment, so withdrawing them is not needed.
  
• How can the answering of Live Poll questions be restricted to only the students who are physically present in class?
  Adjust the settings at the assessment level to accomplish this. Under the "Settings" selection, first ensure you are in the "Simple View" as shown here:
  
  Then, at the bottom of the screen you have four options under the drop-down box.
  
  Only the "Custom Location" option will allow you to move the blue center marker and adjust the radius. Here is what geofencing to PG6 looks like:
  
  Note: Geofencing does not work necessarily for students on a laptop, so consider directing any such students in your class to switch and use their smartphone for these questions.
• How can I change the participation-correctness grade ratio after an assessment is already over?
  This ratio can only be adjusted at a course level, which affects all Live Poll assessments. Go into the "Live Poll Sync" assessment in your IMathAS course. Click on "Settings", scroll down and under "Grading and Feedback" adjust the slider as desired and then save. The grades will update automatically after the next time you run Live Poll in class. To update sooner, simply go into your Canvas course and click on "Live Poll Sync" followed by clicking on the button called "Initiate Grade Sync", the grades will be updated within 5 minutes.
  
• What are all the different questions types besides multiple-choice that I can use?
  Questions can have the following answer formats: Number, Calculated, Multiple-Choice, Multiple-Answer, Matching, Function, String, Essay, Heat Map, Drawing, N-Tuple, Calculated N-Tuple, Complex, Calculated Complex, Numerical Matrix, Calculated Matrix, Interval, Calculated Interval, File Upload, Multipart.
  
  For more information go here: IMathAS Questions Types
  
• What is Live Poll Sync and is it required?
  Yes, Live Poll Sync must be added by you in Canvas if you want the assessments you run to count for any sort of student grade, even for participation. Students need to click on the Live Poll Sync link in Canvas only once during the course. As soon as they do that their Live Poll grades will sync to the canvas gradebook, including any assessments they answered before clicking the button.
  
• What is IMathAS?
  The Live Poll for Canvas is run by the open-source platform IMathAS.
  
  For more information go here: IMathAS Main Page
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions (for students)

• My grade seems wrong, what do I do?
  If there is any chance you have never clicked on the "Live Poll Sync" button then do so now, by selecting your course in Canvas, and then selecting "Modules" followed by scrolling down until you see "Live Poll Sync", which you then click on:
  
  
  Each time (after the initial time) you click on "Live Poll Sync", the following type of screen will be generated, which is a summary of all the assessments your instructor has run, including any assessments you did not open, and for the ones you did open your score:
  
  
  
• Where do I find Live Poll if I am using the Canvas App?
  For iOS do the following:
  
  1) Enter your class in Canvas
  
  2) Click on "Modules" followed by "Student Resources", to reach this screen:
  
  3) Click on "Live Poll", to reach this screen
  
  4) After clicking on "Launch External Tool" you want to allow use of your current location by selecting "OK"
  
  
  
  For Android do the following:
  
  1) Enter your class in Canvas
  
  2) After clicking on "Modules" you will see this screen, where you click on "Live Poll"
  
  3) The next screen looks like this and you then select "OK":
  
  4) Select the circled icon to open the page in an external browser:
  5) If asked for location permission, select "Allow use of Location." Live Poll is then loaded and the screen looks like:
  
  
• How do I review the Live Poll questions and answers after class?
  This is indeed an available feature, but only if your instructor enables it. Please reach out to your instructor to ask, if you are unsure whether it is enabled. If you did not attempt any questions in an assessment, then you will be unable to review any of that assessment, even if your instructor enables student review.
  

Additional Resources (for instructors)

• Writing multiple-choice questions:
  A summary of best practices
  Validating multiple-choice questions
• Writing higher-order thinking questions:
  Bloom's Taxonomy reexamined
  Characterizing assessment items in mathematics
• Writing formative assessment questions:
  Formative assessments in mathematics
  

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