Q & A Sessions and Live Polling with
Piazza in Blackboard
Tool Name: Piazza
Type: Blackboard LTI Tool, Web Application
Location: Blackboard CourseToolsPiazza
Piazza is a free online gathering place where users can publicly (and anonymously, if the head
instructor allows it) ask questions, answer questions, and post notes. Instructors can create a
live poll for a class for instant feedback. Students as well as instructors can answer questions,
fueling a healthy, collaborative discussion. While not affiliated with the University, many
Princeton instructors are finding Piazza an interesting alternative to the native discussion board
in Blackboard. Piazza classes can easily be integrated into Blackboard course sites. Instructor
can create a Piazza class with one click. Students and instructors are automatically enrolled
based off of course roster and when they click on Piazza inside Blackboard, they are
automatically signed in. Images and video can be added to Q and A’s and polls.
Apps You’ll Need
Practical Uses
Blackboard
Live Polling During Lecture
Type: Web Application
Location: Blackboard CourseToolsPiazza
Piazza:
Type: Web Application linked inside
Blackboard
To create a live poll during a lecture, click on Piazza inside Blackboard. In Piazza,
click the New Post button and choose Poll/In Class Response. The instructor can
then fill out the preferences they prefer for the live poll. Polls can be
anonymous and they have the option of showing the results to the students
before or after they vote (or never show the results to them). Polls can also be
time released if an instructor wants to poll outside of class time.
Online Q & A for Course Work Reviews
Case Study
Location: Blackboard CourseToolsPiazza
Some of the large lecture style courses at Princeton
University like using Piazza. The courses will use
Piazza as the sole place to have their students post
general questions about assignments, lectures,
textbooks, or other course materials. Other
courses use it for general announcements and as a
place for students to discuss projects in the course.
Course staff members answer questions posted by
students. Other courses encourage students to ask
questions privately to course staff members about
the specifics of their project so other students can’t
see the solution(s) before a project is due.
Students can ask questions and answer other questions proposed by other
students. Instructors can review these questions and also write correct answers
for students. Piazza also supports LaTex for text formatting. To post a question
to the class, click on Piazza inside Blackboard. In Piazza click the New Post
button and choose Question. Instructors can also post questions to individual
students.
Notes to Individual Students That Need Extra Help
Location: Blackboard CourseToolsPiazza
Instructors can message individual students in case they need extra help after a
Q & A session in Piazza. To create a note, click on Piazza in Blackboard. In Piazza,
click the New Post button and choose Note. Choose Post to Individual
Student(s).
©2014 ATS-OIT Princeton University