PointSolutions works through two separate desktop applications (the full PointSolutions desktop app and the simpler TurningPoint Web app), as well as a browser-based interface. As a result, it offers several options for conducting polls with different capabilities and limitations, so it’s worth considering what you want out of your polling before you get started.
Generally speaking, working with PowerPoint polling through the PointSolutions Desktop app gives you the most options in terms of question types and analyzing data for your results. It also allows you to run in-class competitions, which can add an element of fun to your classes. However, it has the highest learning curve of the polling methods discussed here and requires the most set up. It also requires you to manually save your session data after every class, which can be easy to forget.
If you still want to integrate polling into your PowerPoint presentations but want to prioritize ease of use over having the most options, you may want to consider PowerPoint Polling through the TurningPoint Web app. You will have fewer question types but you will need fewer steps to get up and running for class. Your polling session data will also upload directly to the cloud which eliminates needing to worry about dealing with any files after class.
If you would like to forgo working within PowerPoint altogether, you may want to consider Anywhere Polling via the TurningPoint Web app. Anywhere Polling makes use of a floating toolbar that can create a poll question at a moment’s notice. It also saves all student responses immediately in the cloud, again limiting the steps you need to take after a polling session.
Finally, you can create polling questions on the web using PointSolutions’ web-based polling. This will allow you to run a poll from any place you can access a web browser, but won’t have quite as many question types as you may see with the other polling options described here.
If you would like a more thorough comparison of each type of polling, please refer to the table below:
| Polling Type | Variety of question types | Supports Competitions? | Can create poll question at a moment's notice? | Need to save results file manually? | Students can review answers at a later date? | Requires working with a desktop app? |
| PowerPoint Polling with the PointSolutions Desktop app | Widest | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| PowerPoint Polling with the Turning Point Web app | More Limited | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Anywhere Polling with TurningPoint Web app | More Limited | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Web-based polling | More Limited | No | No | No | Yes | No |