PointSolutions Student Response System

Switch to Poll Everywhere

In 2024, ITS purchased an enterprise license for Poll Everywhere which allows all faculty, staff, and students to use the polling software without buying an individual license. OLS will continue to support PointSolutions for the time being, but Poll Everywhere is the preferred solution.

What are Clickers?

Student Response Systems allow instructors to poll students during a live class session and collect real-time feedback. While most response systems allow students to participate with an existing computer or mobile device, PointSolutions "Clickers" are unique in that they're a physical device students can use in the classroom without needing or being distracted by other technology.

Instructors decide whether to allow responses from clickers only or to include student response from other internet-connected devices. With physical clickers the student's device must be present in the physical classroom; including internet-connected devices allows students to respond from any location.

Instructors can deliver questions inside or outside of PowerPoint presentations using a variety of question designs which you create with the PointSolutions App.

During class, instructors decide when polls open and close. After closing a poll, instructors decide whether to display the results live in the classroom or to save them for later analysis.

Why do instructors use Clickers?

Instructors use clickers to collect feedback from students and to increase student interaction in medium to large lecture format classes. They can be used to test student understanding or to collect anonymous responses to sensitive questions. They are a great way to initiate a discussion or maintain student attention during class. They can increase active learning in larger classes by fostering a deeper discussions or facilitating group work.

What Student Response Systems are supported at Syracuse University?

PointSolutions (formerly TurningPoint) is the supported student response system at Syracuse University with assistance to instructors using it from Online Learning Services. PointSolutions is also integrated with the Blackboard Learning Management System so that instructors can post and share polling results in the Blackboard Grade Center.

Where to Get Support?

For more information about clickers at Syracuse University, please contact the Help Desk by phone at 315.443.2677 or email to help@syr.edu.