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Particify [on the Web]

Feedback tool for live polls with prepared questions, as well as quick live feedback and a Q&A function for students

There are numerous web-based tools available for live polls. At TU Darmstadt, the use of PINGO and Mentimeter is widespread. Particify is another tool used in the university context which, beyond the pure live polling function, offers interesting features to involve students interactively in the course.

Particify (opens in new tab) is the successor to the tool ARSNova (opens in new tab), developed at THM (Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen), and is provided by the spin-off Particify GmbH in a free basic version. This version offers extensive functions and can also be used without registration.

The tool is characterised by the creation of a kind of virtual space in which questions can be made available to students – either for live polls (possible applications for live polling) or for flexible use at any time. Various question types are available for this purpose. Alternatively, ad-hoc polls can be started to gather live feedback. In addition, students can use the Q&A function to submit, for example, comprehension questions, which fellow students can then vote on, resulting in a ranking. This can also take place live or asynchronously – depending on the settings chosen by the teacher. The ranking of the submitted questions/contributions can provide the teacher with guidance regarding the urgency of responding to the questions/contributions.

Particify has an accessible and intuitive user interface. Similar to Mentimeter, it offers a wide range of question types, but in terms of data protection it is to be regarded as better – comparable to PINGO. With the help of LaTeX and Markdown, formulas, tables, and images can also be integrated.

Particify can also be used for self-study, similar to QuizAcademy. Learning cards or content slides can be created so that learning content is not only tested but also presented in small units. Compared to QuizAcademy, Particify does not offer targeted functions for individual learning support, such as learning progress analysis or an automated learning plan. However, unlike QuizAcademy, Particify can be used extensively free of charge.

Getting to know Particify

Room with stored question sets (for use in live polls or flexibly over time) and an activated Q&A function

Selection of types when creating a question set

Different question types to choose from when creating a question (here: for a question set of the type “Mixed”, i.e. all question types are available)

Questions within a question set of the type “Quiz” (a leaderboard can be displayed)

Questions within a question set of the type “Survey”

Multiple-choice question with an embedded formula shown in presentation mode (display of statistics and correct answer is enabled)

Mobile view of a sorting question

Q&A function – contributions can be moderated, answered, favourited, sorted, and more

Collect ad-hoc live feedback (here: answering with A, B, C, or D; type can be changed to a selection of emojis)

Click on the screenshots to get a few impressions or use the test demo (opens in new tab).

  • Possible question types: single choice, multiple choice, yes/no, sorting, prioritisation, word cloud, various Likert scales, numerical questions (with tolerance range), open questions, short answers (see overview of content types (opens in new tab))
  • Formula support and integration of images/tables and additional formatting in the question text are possible
  • Import & export of questions in CSV format is possible
  • For administration, a room is created; this has a numerical access code or QR code and can, for example, be used for an entire semester for a course.
  • Within the room, any number of question sets can be created; in a question set, questions are prepared and released to make them visible.
  • When creating a question set, it must be specified which type it should be:
    • Quiz: playful character; students can log in to the quiz with a nickname; at the end, a leaderboard is generated based on whether and how quickly the questions were answered; for a question set of the type “Quiz” only those question types are available that make sense for a quiz
    • Survey: only those question types are available that are suitable for surveys (mainly opinion or evaluation questions, e.g. with Likert scales)
    • Mixed: all question types are available; no leaderboard can be activated
  • Question sets consisting only of slides with pure content presentation or learning cards can also be created.
  • The questions in a question set can be worked on flexibly over time, or live mode can be activated for a question set to control the presentation of the prepared questions and guide participants through the live polls in real time.
  • The Q&A function can also be activated in the room and, if required, moderated.
  • Furthermore, live feedback can be started from a room at any time to conduct ad-hoc polls (e.g. choosing options with ABCD, giving opinions with emojis).
  • If the room is set to focus mode, the teacher can fully control what is displayed to students in real time – either questions for live polling, the option for live feedback, or the Q&A function.
  • If questions (or question sets) are used multiple times, the old responses must be deleted before reuse.
  • For multiple-choice questions, several rounds of use are possible, and the results can be compared with each other (e.g. useful for the peer instruction method (opens in new tab)) – however, only two rounds are possible.

Particify is a free web-based tool, developed at Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM). It is now operated by Particify GmbH. According to its own statements, it complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (see Particify’s privacy policy (opens in new tab)) and ensures accessibility in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.1 (see accessibility statement (opens in new tab)).

To create rooms in which live polls take place, you can register for free. However, it is also possible to use the tool without registration via a guest account (note: content is deleted after 180 days of inactivity).

To enter a room where live polls take place or questions can be asked via Q&A, simply enter the URL https://partici.fi (opens in new tab) in the browser and enter the corresponding access code there. Alternatively, participants can join the room directly via QR code.

This tool is a suggestion to facilitate the digital daily work in teaching and studying. It is freely available on the web and can be used free of charge (at least in a basic version). Since it is not provided centrally by the TU Darmstadt, we would like to point out that you are responsible for checking your own data protection. Tip: Have a look at our orientation for the assessment of digital tools with regard to data protection.

If you have any doubts, please ask the colleagues in the data protection department (in German)