Background

Top Hat has been OSU’s centrally supported Student Response System (SRS) since 2018 with a student-pay model. In spring 2023, OSU conducted an assessment of  faculty needs for classroom engagement and student response systems. Based on results of that assessment, Poll Everywhere was chosen to replace Top Hat as OSU’s enterprise SRS starting Summer 2025. Poll Everywhere will be available at no cost to students or faculty. Top Hat will remain available through spring term 2025 with no changes to the Top Hat-Canvas integration, student license cost, or how we support faculty with the tool during this transition.

Integration

In AY 2024-2025, Top Hat will continue to be integrated with Canvas (LTI 1.1). Enabling the Top Hat integration in your Canvas course will allow you to sync roster and sync grades.

You need to first enable Top Hat in your Canvas course navigation (settings>navigation>find Top Hat in the hidden list>click on the 3 dots to enable>save), then open the Top Hat course and go to Settings in Top Hat to link the courses. For detailed information, visit the Advanced Canvas Integration page.

Student license

Students can purchase a Top Hat Classroom Engage subscription and/or a Top Hat textbook access code from the Beaver Store.

In Winter 2025, we recommend that students purchase a one-term subscription unless the student knows that Top Hat will also be used in their spring term courses, in which case the student may consider purchasing a one-year subscription.

In Spring 2025, we recommend that students purchase a one-term subscription.

Students with financial difficulties can contact the OSU Basic Needs Center to request a free one term subscription codes. The number of these codes is limited, and it is distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Top Hat Support

Top Hat provides support for both instructors and students

  • Email: support@tophat.com
  • Phone: (888) 663-5491
  • Hours: Monday through Friday 6 AM to 6 PM (PT)

Instructors can also reach out to OSU Academic Technologies for support, review Top Hat FAQs or Top Hat Transition FAQs for more information.