Question of the Week

This Week's Faculty Question

Q: I'm looking for some suggestions for embedding an interactive word cloud into a PowerPoint presentation. I'd like to use something where students can add words in response to a question and have the words appear in the word cloud on my presentation (in real time). Can you help?

A: You can do this with the MS Forms Present mode available in PowerPoint. MS Forms has a word cloud as an option when you present open- text responses this way (see the Microsoft guide: Visualize Open-Text Responses with Word Clouds (Insights)). 

How to present free text responses as a word cloud using MS Forms

Follow the steps below to embed an interactive word cloud into your PowerPoint presentation:

1. Add the MS Forms add-in to PowerPoint: How can I add an MS Form as an add-in to PowerPoint? (includes instructions for both Windows OS and MacOS users).
2. Follow the instructions in the above guide to create a form with an open-text question. You can create the form directly in your presentation or embed an existing form into your presentation: Create or embed MS Form.
3. Present your form, using the option to Present for Interactive Meetings.
4. Ask you students to scan the QR code or use the form link to respond: Direct students to respond to the form.
5. Toggle the Word Cloud option (see screenshot below) to show student responses in word cloud format.

• Centre for Teaching Support and Innovation (CTSI): Student Response Systems available at U of T.
• EdTech Office: Compare and select your backchannelling tool (includes a comparison of overview of some popular backchanneling tools,both included in the U of T Academic Toolbox and un-vetted)

For questions or assistance with Classroom Response Systems or other classroom engagement tools, please contact the EdTech Office or book a consultation.