Nearpod
Description
Nearpod is a web-based tool used to promote active learning and engagement in the classroom. It is a web-based, interactive version of Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides. PowerPoint presentations or Google Slides easily upload into Nearpod, and the presentations interjected with many interactive activities. Nearpod presentations can be teacher-led in the classroom or assigned as student-led homework.
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Justification for Using this Tool
Justification 1 - Active Learning and Student Engagement
- Active learning in the classroom is when students engage in the material through collaboration with one another and participation (Stanford University, n.d.).
- As compared to traditional learning, students are expected to retain information that is presented through teacher-led lectures; active learning allows the student to take on responsibility for their learning and their performance in the course (Stanford University, n.d.).
- Nearpod promotes active learning and student engagement in the classroom by creating interactive slide presentations.
- Features of Nearpod that increase interactivity among students include inserting content such as 3D Viewer, videos and live Twitter feeds or activities such as polls, quizzes and matching..
- Nearpod also facilitates collaboration in the classroom among students.
- Collaboration among students develops critical thinking skills as it fosters discussion, sharing of ideas and evaluation of others’ ideas (Gokhale, 1995).
- Nearpod offers several activities that allow for student interaction with one another.
- The open-ended questions activity feature can foster in-class discussion while students share different viewpoints and answers.
- The collaborate feature is a digital billboard-style where students can pin their responses to the board while they brainstorm and work together to form ideas.
Strategies for Use
Strategy 1 - Creating Engaging Lessons
- This video outlines how to add fun and engaging activities and content to your Nearpod presentations to promote active learning in the classroom.
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Strategy 2 - Using Collaboration for Student Learning
- Learn how how to add a student collaboration activity to your Nearpod lesson quickly and easily.
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Helpful Resources
Resource 1 - Top 10 Reasons to use Nearpod in the Classroom
- This is a helpful blog post to get you started on ideas for using Nearpod in your classroom.
- The authors of this paper introduce Nearpod into a second-year undergraduate program of bio-science students in order to gain feedback on the student engagement and interactivity.
References
Gokhale, A. A. (1995). Collaborative Learning Enhances Critical Thinking. Virginia Tech
University Libraries, 7(1). doi.org/10.21061/jte.v7i1.a.2
McClean, S., Crowe, W. (2017). Making room for interactivity: using the cloud-based audience response system Nearpod to enhance engagement in lectures. FEMS Microbiology Letters. Volume 364, Issue 6. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnx052
Stanford University. (n.d.). Promoting active learning. Retrieved from: https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/resources/learning-resources/promoting-active-learning
University Libraries, 7(1). doi.org/10.21061/jte.v7i1.a.2
McClean, S., Crowe, W. (2017). Making room for interactivity: using the cloud-based audience response system Nearpod to enhance engagement in lectures. FEMS Microbiology Letters. Volume 364, Issue 6. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnx052
Stanford University. (n.d.). Promoting active learning. Retrieved from: https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/resources/learning-resources/promoting-active-learning
Contributor
Submitted by: Andrea Dyack
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Faculty at Southern Ontario Dental College and current graduate student in the Master of Education program at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
Email: [email protected]
Bio: Faculty at Southern Ontario Dental College and current graduate student in the Master of Education program at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.