Top Hat

Top Hat is a web-based software tool teachers can use to take attendance, administer polls and quizzes, play games and share notes. Students can use their laptop, phone or tablet to participate.

On this page:

Features

If Top Hat is being used in a course, both instructors and students are required to have Top Hat accounts. Students will also need to purchase a license.

  • Upload your slides, add annotations and interactive questions.
  • Take attendance effortlessly and accurately using geolocation technology.
  • Launch discussions and get real-time feedback and reports.
  • UB Learns integration allows professors to sync grading and class roster information between the two systems.
  • Securely administer tests and quizzes in a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environment (additional student fee).
  • UB students receive a discount when they purchase a Top Hat license.

Getting Started

You can now use your UBITName account credentials to access your Top Hat account! The instructions will vary slightly depending on whether or not you are brand new to Top Hat, or if you've previously created a Top Hat account at any point in the past.

If you need to create a Top Hat account

Top Hat has created a document to help instructors create new accounts.

If you already have a Top Hat account

  1. Go to tophat.com using your computer (note: you must use a web browser; you cannot use a mobile app).
  2. Click the Login link in the top-right corner of the page.
  3. You may see University at Buffalo SUNY in the School field. If not, begin typing and click the University at Buffalo SUNY link from the drop-down list.
  4. Click Log in with school account.
  5. Use your UBITName and password to log in.

Integration with UB Learns

Top Hat's advanced integration allows professors to sync grading and class roster information between the Top Hat and UB Learns. The integration is designed to ease student registration and on-boarding as well as enable professors to easily send grades from Top Hat to UB Learns.

Top Hat Test

Securely administer tests and quizzes in a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environment using Top Hat’s proprietary lock-out capabilities. Additional license fees required for student use.

Top Hat Test Resources

  • Before the test
    Best practices to consider before running a test in Top Hat for the first time.
  • During the test
    Step-by-step instructions on managing your proctor report effectively and monitoring student activity while administering a test.
  • After the test
    Best practices for after administering a test in Top Hat, including how to hand back your test.

Access to the Marketplace Test Pack

If you need access to the Marketplace Test pack, please email Top Hat's support team (support@tophat.com) using the following template:

Hello,

Would you please enable Marketplace access on my Top Hat account? The email address associated with my professor account is (your email address).

The join codes for my courses are (your codes).

Thank you.  

Top Hat Support

New users

If you are a new user of Top Hat, please contact Louis Neofotistos, one of UB's dedicated Top Hat support representatives.

Current users

If you are currently using Top Hat, please contact Shannon White one of UB's dedicated Top Hat support representatives.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday,
Phone: 888-663-5491
Email: support@tophat.com

Support Documentation

The Top Hat Success Center provides online resources ranging from basic to advanced topics. The company also offers a variety of teaching resources.