Student Response System (SRS)

Top Hat Student Response System

Top Hat is a student engagement tool that allows instructors to conduct polls, track attendance, and create digital assessments that integrates with VCU’s Canvas learning management system. Unlike previous student response systems, sometimes known as “clickers”, Top Hat allows students to utilize their mobile device, tablet, laptop, and even SMS to respond to polls, although some features such as proctored exams require a laptop computer running the Google Chrome web browser.

Faculty - Getting Started with Top Hat

Instructors who need a student account (for themselves), please email classroomtech@vcu.edu for assistance.

Quick Start Guides (or jump straight to a popular topic below)

Faculty - Managing Access to Your Top Hat Course

Faculty - Using Top Hat with Blackboard

VCU Blackboard has been configured for use with Top Hat. To allow Top Hat to sync with Blackboard, instructors need to set up an LTI web link in each Blackboard course that will use Top Hat.

Please follow these instructions for adding a Top Hat (LTI) web link to a Blackboard course.

If you see a warning as depicted below, please be sure to set up a Top Hat web link in your Blackboard course, as described above.

Sync Top Hat with Blackboard [View Image]

Additional information about using Top Hat with Blackboard can be found in Top Hat's Knowledge Base.

Student Accounts and Subscriptions

Create an account with Top Hat - IMPORTANT! If you already have a Top Hat account from another school, you need to merge your existing account with a new VCU account to avoid additional subscription fees.
- To merge accounts, click this link, then scroll down the page to the section " If you have previously created a Top Hat account..."
- Follow the instructions for VCU account merging. (or you may contact Top Hat Support for assistance).
Purchase a Top Hat subscription.
- For current pricing for VCU Students, please see Top Hat's VCU page.
Renew a Top Hat subscription. Purchase a new subscription using your existing Top Hat account.
- Extend a subscription from a previous semester.
- Activate an expired subscription.

Get Started with Top Hat

Review the Student Quick Start Guide

Faculty Assistance

Request a Top Hat Consultation - On Top Hat's VCU page, scroll down to the contact information for our representative. Email or call our representative to request a consultation. Individual or group consultations will be provided face-to-face or online. (Please note that face-to-face, on-site consultations will need to be scheduled in advance to accomodate our representative's long distance travel to/from VCU.)

Contact Top Hat Support (phone, ticket, chat)

Request assistance through the VCU IT Support Center. Your request will be assessed and routed to the appropriate team at VCU or Top Hat.
- Submit a help request: https://ts.vcu.edu/it-support-center/
- Call 828-2227
- Email: ITSC@vcu.edu

Student Assistance

For questions or issues with your Top Hat account, subscription or payments - contact Top Hat.

For all other questions contact the VCU IT Support Center. Your request will be assessed and routed to the appropriate team at VCU or Top Hat.
- Submit a help request: https://ts.vcu.edu/it-support-center/
- Call 828-2227
- Email: ITSC@vcu.edu