Vevox is the institutional classroom voting system. Vevox integrates with PowerPoint to allow seamless voting during a presentation. Vevox has updated and released a BETA version of this new connection. New features:
- Both Mac and PC (previously just PC)
- New question types (Ordering, Image questions)
- The old integration will be run in parallel for at least the next 12 months
Here are guides explaining the reason for the change, and for new and current Vevox users.
Why is this changing
Microsoft Office and the way it integrates with other platforms has changed in recent years. The new Vevox Microsoft Office 365 add-in is built on the latest API’s and technology available for PowerPoint, designed to support all Vevox polling types and work across more platforms. What’s more, the new add-in has been designed to be simpler to use, based on feedback received from Vevox PowerPoint users over the years.
The benefits of changing are:
- More platforms: The new add-in can be used on Windows PC’s and Macs. Please note it is not compatible with the online version of PowerPoint.
- More Polling types: All poll types included within Vevox can be used in the new add-in.
- Presenter view: A frustration with the older original PowerPoint add-in was the inability for it to support the PowerPoint ‘Presenter View’, which allows you to see your notes and the previous/next slide while presenting – the new Microsoft Office 365 add-in supports present view
- Simple poll creation from the dashboard: Any poll created or imported into the Vevox dashboard can easily be inserted into PowerPoint slides
Key differences
- All polls are now created and edited within the Vevox dashboard which can then be inserted into a PowerPoint slide
- Formatting and design options will still be available in the Microsoft Office 365 add-in but will work slightly differently so will require familiarisation
- For simplicity, the control and display preferences will be in one place now, within the Vevox dashboard rather than in the PowerPoint ribbon
What does the ‘Beta’ label mean? You may notice that the new add-in currently has a ‘Beta’ label. This means that the new add-in has been fully tested but will be the focus of further development to add new features and fine tune the user experience. As the add-in is installed from the Microsoft App store within PowerPoint rather than locally, you will by defualt always be using the latest version and benefit from any updates.
New Vevox Users
If you have never used Vevox before follow these steps to create an account and try it out.
- Create a Vevox Account: In order to use Vevox you will need to set up an account. You can create a Vevox account via Canvas. Vevox staff accounts uses the Microsoft login and username@ljmu.ac.uk and LJMU password to log in to Vevox.
- Learn how Vevox works
- Try out the new integration: Watch this video to learn about the PowerPoint Addin
Current Vevox Users
- Do I have to change? No, we are planning to run this in parallel for 12 months. However, DO NOT try to run a presentation that contains questions using BOTH integrations. Only use one of the integrations for each presentation. We will be running training over the next 12 months to allow you to get used to the new integration.
- If I do change, what do I do? Watch this video to learn about the PowerPoint Addin
- Will I lose all of my poll questions in my PowerPoints? No. All polls are now created and edited within the Vevox dashboard which can then be inserted into a PowerPoint slide. Any poll questions created by the old PowerPoint add-in are saved to the Vevox dashbaord by default. You will be able to add these questions when you start using the new add-in.
What else is new
The Vevox dashboard has added some enhancements to Q&A function. These include ‘Announcements’ which will allow for more flexibility and customisation for Q&A management, allowing users to now create their own custom announcements that can be published and pinned at the top of the Q&A.