Computer and projector, Mobile devices for students, Computer
Activity Description
Source: Tricider (License: Protected by Copyright (c) [i.e. screenshot])
Tricider is a free website with no registration process that allows students to vote on topics of interest. Students with some level of language can also put pros and cons into the vote.
Preparation
Make sure the Web site is not blocked at your school before using it with students. Decide what question you want students to reply to, based on lesson objectives, class activities, or assignments. Create the poll/question before class (but the site can also be easily and quickly used “on the fly” because no registration is required).
How-To
1. Go to https://www.tricider.com/
2. Type a question in the “Enter question here” textbox and select “Go.”
3. Select the pencil icon next to “description” to enter a description (optional).
4. The URL will be valid for 13 days (default). To extend/change the URL’s expiration, select “change deadline” under “13 days left.”
5. Select “Share and Invite.”
6. Select “Email” or select a social media site to share the URL. You can also copy and paste the URL onto a class Web site.
For students to participate using the URL:
1. Share URL with students.
2. Students open a Web browser to the URL you provide.
3. Students select “Add idea” and type responses. Students enter their names (optional). Students can add descriptions or upload images (optional). Then select “Save.”
4. Students can discuss others’ responses by selecting “add argument” under Pros and Cons, typing in a reply, and selecting the + for a pro or a – for a con (optional), and students can vote for best responses by selecting “Vote,” entering their names, and choosing “Save.”
5. Teachers can view posts by opening the URL and (optionally) projecting the page. Teachers can also select “Subscribe to updates,” which will require registering for an account, and page activities will be sent via the email to the account used to register.
Teacher Tips
Sign up for an account or select “special link” for an administrative link or see “More Options” after entering your question (at bottom of page) for statistics, privacy, and embedding options. YouTube demo at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvLuwL9Quzw.
More Ways
Here are some topics that can be used with students at this level.
Daily Life Topics (very simple) What is the best breakfast food? What do you like to drink in the morning? What is the best TV show or movie? What is the best fruit? What is the best vegetable? What is a good lunch for school/work? What is a good place to relax?
Classroom Topics What English topic do you want to learn next? What activity do you like in English class? (reading, writing, games, speaking) What is a good rule for our class? What helps you learn English?
Community & Daily Living What is the best place to shop? What transportation do you like? (bus, car, bicycle, walking) What is a good place to visit in our city?
Simple Opinion Topics What is the best sport? What is a good hobby? What music do you like? What is the best season? (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Food (always popular!) What food should we have at a class party? What is the best dessert? What is the best drink? What country has the best food?
Fun / Light Topics What animal is the best pet? What makes you happy? What is the best color? What sport should we play on Friday? Where would you like to travel?
Program Areas
ESL: English as a Second Language
Levels
Beginning Low
Beginning High
View Lesson Plan
Warm-up
Engagement Enhancement Extension
Objective: Activate prior knowledge about opinions.
Activity:
Write on the board: “What do you like?” Show 3–4 pictures (coffee, tea, music, movies). Students answer using simple sentences:
“I like coffee.” “I like music.” Pair share: Students tell a partner 1 thing they like.
Introduction
Engagement
Teacher says: “Today we will use a website called Tricider. Tricider helps us share ideas. You can write your idea. You can see other students’ ideas. You can vote for your favorite idea.”
Show the homepage on the screen and point:
“This is the question.” “This is the button: Add Idea.” “This is the vote area.”
Presentation
Engagement Enhancement
Before presentation please look at the How To section on the first screen to see how to set up Tricider with your questions. Create a question, what is your favorite food?
Teacher Models:
Click Add Idea Type: “Pizza” Click Save idea Click the thumbs up to vote Say each step slowly and show visually. Ask students: “What food do I add?” “Do I vote?”
Practice
Engagement Enhancement
Give students the Tricider link (on board, QR code, or chat). Students complete two tasks for the question what do you like to eat,
Add one idea (Use a simple noun: rice, cake, mango, chicken). Vote for one idea. Teacher circulates to help students type and click.
Language Support (on board):
“I choose ______.” “I like ______.” “I vote for ______.”
Evaluation
Engagement Enhancement
Teacher asks:
“Show me the Add Idea button.” “Where do you vote?” “What idea did you add?” Quick Exit Slip (oral or written): Students complete one sentence:
“I added ______.” “I voted for ______.”
Application
Engagement Enhancement Extension
New Tricider Question: “What topic do you want to learn next week?” Examples:
Jobs Food Family Shopping Directions Students:
Add one idea OR vote on an idea they like. Share with a partner:
“I want to learn ______.”
Application
Engagement Enhancement Extension
Students write short sentences in notebooks using their idea:
“I like chicken because it is delicious.” Or students practice speaking in small groups.
RF.2 - Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). (Phonological Awareness)
RF.3 - Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. (Phonics and Word Recognition)
RF.4 - Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. (Fluency)
Speaking and Listening
CCR Anchor 1 - Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCR Anchor 5 - Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.
CC BY: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as
attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.
View Conditions
tricider offers registered users a free, non exclusive platform to collect ideas and vote. The right to use our service is only valid based on the current state of technology. We may restrict our services for a period of time, if necessary, for reasons concerning capacity limits, the security or integrity of the server or in order to perform technical maintenance and so as to ensure that we can properly offer our services or enhance them (maintenance work).
tricider does not warrant that the services will meet your requirements or expectations, the services will be delivered uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free, the results that may be obtained from the use of the services will be accurate or reliable, any errors in the services will be corrected.
