Live polling for trainers
Live polling for training that shows what changed
Bring the whole group into the session, check understanding while there is still time to respond, and leave with results you can use carefully.
Participants join in a web browser using a six-character code or QR code. They do not need an app or PollSpark account.
One session, three useful moments
Ask when the answer can shape what happens next
A poll earns its place when it supports a decision, a discussion or the next part of the session.
Before training
Start with what the group already knows
Ask about prior knowledge, expectations or confidence before the main content begins. The result gives you a starting point for the conversation, not a test score.
During training
Check understanding while you can still respond
Use a focused question after an important section. Discuss the combined result, clear up uncertainty and decide whether the group is ready to move on.
At the end
Collect reflection and useful follow-up
Revisit confidence, ask what still feels unclear or gather practical feedback. Treat the result as evidence from the people who responded in that moment.
Choose the format to fit the moment
Useful question types for training sessions
PollSpark has eleven question types. Moderated Q&A can sit alongside a Live session, but it is separate from those eleven.
Multiple Choice
Check a specific point with two to twelve answer options and discuss the totals and percentages with the room.
Confidence Meter
Ask everyone to rate confidence on the same fixed 1 to 5 scale, then look at the average and spread of responses.
Before & After
Run the same confidence question in two presenter-controlled phases and compare the group averages within one Live session.
Word Cloud
Gather one word or a short phrase from each participant to surface common language and themes for discussion.
Open Text
Give participants up to 280 characters to explain what they need, noticed or want to explore next.
Ranking and Dot Vote
Use Ranking when everyone should order every option. Use Dot Vote when people should place a limited number of votes across a shortlist.
Read the Dot Vote guide
Before & After
Compare group confidence without overstating the result
Before & After uses two presenter-controlled phases in the same Live session. Once each phase has responses, PollSpark compares the group averages.
It does not match one person's Before answer with their After answer. Someone can answer in the After phase without answering in the Before phase.
The comparison shows a change in the responding group's average. It is not an objective measure of competence and does not prove that the training caused the change.
Before & After is Live-only and is not available in Survey.
A simpler way to hear from the group
Anonymous when the session needs it
Anonymous mode applies to the whole session. Participant names are not included with new responses, though PollSpark still recognises returning browsers and processes limited technical data for security and service operation.
Participants answer on their own phone, tablet or computer. The same browser-based joining flow works for people in the room or joining remotely.
In person or remote
Keep the poll alongside the training
In a room, show the presenter view on the main screen while participants respond on their own devices. For remote training, share the presenter view through your normal screen-sharing setup and let participants answer in a separate browser window.
No special meeting-platform integration is required. Participants only need internet access, a supported web browser and the join code or QR code.
Learn how live polling worksResults you can use after the session
Keep a clear record, then read it in context
During a Live session, the presenter view shows the combined result as responses arrive. Download a PDF after every session. Free exports include a PollSpark watermark, while paid plans provide clean PDF exports. CSV export is available on paid plans.
Survey is available on every plan for follow-up questions that do not need a live presenter. Most question types work in Survey, while Before & After and Q&A remain Live-only. On Free, Live and Survey share 50 participant slots in each allowance period.
The Free plan can support smaller trials within its participant-slot limits. Paid plans add higher participant limits and other features for regular use, while Teams plans support access for a team. The pricing page remains the source for current plan details.
UK-based product, careful data wording
PollSpark's core application database is hosted in London. Some specialist providers process limited operational data in the UK or EEA as part of delivering the service.
See the full data and privacy detailsReady for your next training session?
Ask one useful question and start from there
Create a PollSpark account, prepare your questions and let participants join from their own browser.