Nearpod

Nearpod is an interactive tool for students to learn lessons through an engaging online platform.  I consider it to be a “one stop shop” where teachers can pre-assess, teach, engage, and post-assess all on one website.  This eliminates confusion and makes teaching a breeze. Nearpod is available through website or app, providing access to the majority of students in the US.  While there is a free limited access version, teachers can also purchase a subscription for their class. This platform is so incredibly useful for teachers. They are able to access lessons that other teachers have created and share lessons with their students immediately.  Teachers can assess student work through the app and provide feedback, which students can see in real time. Nearpod is easy to integrate into any curriculum and teachers can use it in addition to another online platform, such as google classroom. There are a variety of opportunities through Nearpod.  The teacher can poll students for future differentiation needs, use Nearpod for formative assessments, or assign homework through the app. Students can easily access their Nearpod accounts at home to review information or complete assignments. Students are also able to take virtual field trips through Nearpod (see previous blog posts for information on virtual field trips).  My favorite part of this platform is the plethora of information that it provides for teachers. Teachers can view students’ work and use it to alter future lessons. Teachers can create small groups according to the data teachers have gathered through the app in order to cater to each student’s specific needs.  

There are countless lesson and activity ideas through Nearpod that are engaging and easy to create.  The poll option is a fantastic way to get to know students during the first days of school. That would also be a great way to introduce the application to students in a stress-free setting.  Students can also answer quizzes or open-ended questions on Nearpod, meaning the teacher can assess students with ease on this interactive website. The following website gives a great tutorial on how Nearpod works and the variety of features that it contains.