Understanding pods

Pods are configurable and interactive screen areas that provide specific features for sharing and collaborating. Standard pods include the share pod (for screen sharing, videos, documents, or whiteboards), the files pod (for uploading and sharing files), the web links pod (for opening URLs), the poll pod (for questions and feedback), the notes pod, the chat pod, the quiz pod, and many more.

A representation of the pods in Adobe Connect.

Different types of pods

Attendees pod

The attendees pod displays participants in a session by categorizing them according to their roles. It allows hosts and presenters to monitor who is in attendance, their roles (host, presenter, or participant), and their engagement levels. With this pod, you can manage permissions, assign roles, and even create breakout rooms, all while keeping track of participant activity. The attendees pod keeps track of everyone in the session. Learn more about the usage and features of the Attendees pod.

Share pod

This pod allows you to share your screen, videos, images, audio, custom applications, documents, and whiteboards. You can also use the share pod to quickly access files in the content library. Learn more about the usage and features of the Share pod. You can use the share pod to:  

• Share your screen
• Share a document
• Share a whiteboard
• Share files

Notes pod

The notes pod enables hosts and presenters to create, edit, and share notes. It supports text formatting like bold and italics. The contents of a notes pod can be exported through email or to a text file. Learn more about the usage and features of the Notes pod.

Chat pod

The chat pod allows participants to join discussion threads. It supports public and private messaging, enabling participants to engage in group or one-on-one conversations. Hosts can clear chats, disable private chat, or pause chatting to balance interactivity with control during sessions. The pod allows for message color selection, text sizing, and audible notifications for new messages. Attendees can also chat in the chat panel when the host enables the chat panel feature. Chats in the chat pod are recorded, while chats in the chat panel are not. Learn more about the usage and features of the Chat pod and Chat panel.

Q&A pod

The Q&A pod allows participants to ask questions and for hosts and presenters to answer. It's recommended for webinars with a large number of participants. This pod separates attendee questions from general chat discussions, allowing moderators to prioritize, organize, and respond efficiently. The Q&A pod allows hosts or presenters to assign questions to specific experts or address them publicly or privately. Additionally, the Q&A Pod offers options to filter and sort questions, track unanswered ones, and save them, thereby enhancing post-event reporting and follow-ups. Learn more about the usage and features of the Q&A pod.

Camera pod

The Camera pod allows hosts, presenters, and participants to stream live video from their cameras, making sessions more interactive and engaging. It supports multiple video streams and customizable layouts, enabling hosts to spotlight speakers or switch to full-screen mode as needed. Hosts can also manage video quality based on bandwidth and control camera permissions for participants. Learn more about the usage and features of the Camera pod.

Poll pod 

The host can create and display polls that attendees can respond to in real-time. With polls, you can gather feedback, gauge opinions, and engage participants. This pod supports multiple-choice, multiple-answer, and short-answer questions. Poll data is securely stored and can be exported for post-event analysis. Only hosts and presenters can use the poll pod to create questions or polls for participants and view the results. They can also cast votes and control poll management and how polls appear to participants. Learn more about the usage and features of the Poll pod.

Quiz pod

The quiz pod allows you to create quizzes and conduct real-time assessments. Each quiz pod can include up to 10 questions and supports various question types, including multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer. As a host, you can set a timer for the quiz and extend it based on requirements. Results can be viewed in both percentages and numbers. Poll results can be broadcast or kept private. Hosts can view a real-time leaderboard that can be shared with everyone when the quiz has closed. Quiz data is securely stored and can be exported for post-event analysis. Learn more about the usage and features of the Quiz pod.

Resources pod

The Resources pod introduces a streamlined way for hosts to share downloadable files and web links with participants during live sessions. It serves as a central hub where attendees can easily access presentations, documents, and external resources from a single, organized interface.

Hosts can upload files or add URLs directly to the pod, ensuring that all materials are instantly available without switching screens or interrupting the session flow. Designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind, the Resources pod helps reduce on-screen clutter and enhances the overall meeting experience. It is especially useful in meetings, virtual classrooms, and webinars where quick access to content is essential. Learn more about the usage and features of the Resources pod.

Survey pod

The Survey pod allows hosts to create and conduct surveys directly within a live session. It enables real-time feedback collection, participant engagement measurement, and quick assessments, making sessions more interactive and data-driven. Hosts can create new surveys, import existing ones from the Survey Library, and manage all survey activities within the same interface—without leaving the room. Learn more about the usage and features of the Survey pod.

Files pod

The files pod allows hosts and presenters to share documents, presentations, and other files with participants during a live session. It provides an easy way to upload files, enabling participants to download them directly and ensuring everyone can access necessary materials in real time. It supports many file formats, including PDFs, images, and presentations, allowing hosts to seamlessly upload, display, and distribute materials. Learn more about the usage and features of the Files pod.

Web Links pod

The web links pod allows hosts and presenters to share URLs with participants during meetings, webinars, or training. It provides a simple and effective way to direct attendees to external websites, resources, or documents without interrupting the session. Hosts can add multiple links to the pod, and participants can easily access them. Learn more about the usage and features of the Web Links pod.

Engagement dashboard pod 

This pod is only visible to the host and presenters in the backstage area. It collects data from various pods, including chat activity, poll responses, and quiz results, offering real-time insights into participation levels. The dashboard displays key metrics such as attendance rates, active engagement scores, and response trends, allowing hosts to assess how effective their presentations are quickly. Learn more about the usage and features of the Engagement dashboard pod.

Custom pods

Custom pods allow you to extend the capabilities offered by the standard pods within the room using third-party apps. They help hosts craft personalized experiences for virtual meetings, training, sessions, and webinars. Developers use HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to design and implement unique pod functionalities tailored to the specific requirements of their sessions. Custom pods can range from simple tools like countdown timers and clocks to complex applications like interactive quizzes, games, or data visualization tools. Learn more about the usage and features of Custom pods.