This guide presents a comprehensive comparison table for the Microsoft Forms, MS Teams Q&A, iClicker, Kahoot!, Mentimeter, Piazza, Padlet, Poll Everywhere and Top Hat.

Many instructors and teaching team members already make adjustments to class activities in real time based on student response, whether it’s by watching faces/body language to get a sense of what they’re understanding, using clickers, or using some of the “backchanneling” apps available to get students actively involved in lectures (e.g., Mentimeter, PollEverywhere, Kahoot!).

This guide provides an overview of some popular backchanneling tools (both included in the U of T Academic Toolbox and un-vetted) that you could implement in your courses (and not all are typical classroom response tools). There are several features for you to consider, in addition to pedagogical value, including the support model, the cost, and if the tool has passed U of T's security audit. You will also want to consider how much time and energy you have to build and implement these tools.

It is highly recommended that if you would like to implement a new tool, that you leave yourself a few months prior to the beginning of the class to fully test. You are also encouraged to talk to the Education Technology Office.