It is a very exciting time in education. New technology is allowing us to create blended learning experiences that enhance student learning. Best of all, students are motivated and become more involved in their own learning process as they synthesize information to construct knowledge. Nearpod.com is a website and app that allows teachers and students to create interactive presentations using a variety of media and assessment tools.
Using nearpod in the classroom provides information to both students and teachers. Students are viewing interactive presentations that include videos, images, text, websites, pdf files, and audio. Additionally, features like open ended questions, fill in the blank, multiple choice, and drawing can be added in. Nearpod presentations allow students to engage in learning while providing valuable feedback to teachers via a visual report that displays student participation, answers, and reflections. This data helps drive instruction and expose student understanding.
Source: nearpod.com
Nearpod is easily used among different content areas, and allows teachers to fully customize their presentations. Students can even get in on the action by accessing their content knowledge to create a presentation of their own. Nearpod presents a collaborative environment as students and teachers are all able to access the same presentation simultaneously, sharing and reflecting upon the learning experiences they are having. The websites presentation library allows allows users to explore lessons created by others. Eve Orf, a K-5 teacher librarian shares, “Nearpod is an engaging tool with many free presentations ready to use. Just added 5 to my library!”
Classroom Applications
There are many great ways to meet state, national, and CCLS by using Nearpod and other instructional methods. The following are a few examples of how teachers are using Nearpod in their classrooms.
Collaboration:
Teachers and students can use Nearpod to pose questions and prompts for reflection. Students can individually or in groups evaluate the prompt and develop supporting claims before sharing their answers using Nearpod. The report could be brought up on the Smartboard for the class to examine and discuss.
Knowledge Construction:
Students can use Nearpod as a resource in learning. Students can explore presentations on topic in order to build their knowledge through research, analysis, and making meaning of the information.
Representing Knowledge:
Students can apply their knowledge on a specific topic to solve a real-word problem posed to them. Through a Nearpod presentation students can expose the problem to viewers and offer supporting evidence to the solution.
Assessment:
Nearpod is a great way to teach lesson content and formatively check for understanding using the interactive options. Nearpod can also be used solely for assessment, utilizing different questions formats. For example, an access code can be presented on the board as students walk in, acting as a “Do Now” or even an entrance task.
Polling:
A question could be asked of the class or group. Students submit answers and the report shows student answers numerically and in pie chart form. Students completing research projects can survey family, friends, and other students by sharing the access code and reach out to many different groups at once.
Flipped Classroom Model:
Students can enter the classroom and access a Nearpod presentation that provides students with prompts and resources to explore in the process of knowledge construction. Websites can be built right into the presentation, as well as videos, and audio. Students can also use the interactive features to share a reflection of what they learned and how it is meaningful to them.
What creative educational uses you can see yourself implementing using Nearpod in your classroom? Share your ideas!
The Tech Teachers 