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Description: Website tool that allows instructors to create interactive slides and activities to engage students in active learning in synchronous classes.
Cost: Free for basic function. Subscription required for additional features.
Demo: To learn more about this technology and how to use it as a teaching tool, watch my demonstration of Nearpod.
UDL
UDL
Nearpod fits UDL guidelines across all principles; however, it best fits as part of representation and engagement.
Representation: Creating interactive lessons that convey concepts and terminology with activities for students to complete in real-time allows students to better understand the lesson in an active learning environment. Students can also apply critical thinking skills as they apply the terminology and concepts, depending on how it is used in the curriculum. This fits UDL guidelines with providing options for comprehension, language expression, and perception.
Engagement: The interactive features of Nearpod increase student engagement during synchronous classes. Students are able to self-assess their knowledge of the concepts in formative activities, which also fosters a sense of community and collaboration within the class. This fits UDL guidelines with providing option for self-regulation, sustaining effort and persistence, and recruiting interest.
Action & Expression: The use of formative assessments with this tool allows students to monitor their progress as the lesson occurs and gives multiple means of communication for students to communicate with the instructor during the lesson. This fits UDL guidelines with providing options for executive functions and expression and communication.
For specific areas that Nearpod fits the UDL principles, please see infographic below with highlighted areas showing the specific integration of Nearpod with UDL guidelines.
Curriculum and Example
Curriculum and Example
Nearpod brings together active learning and formative assessments into one tool. It enables the instructor to see what students are learning while giving the lesson, depending on how the tool is used to support curriculum. The possibilities for using this tool in the classroom are immense.
In my anatomy and physiology class, I plan to convert my MS Powerpoint slides into Nearpod lessons and include interactive activities within the lesson. I can then use this in my synchronous classes to gauge how well students are understanding the material and what misconceptions they have about the concepts. My classes are typically small (around 40 students), which is the capacity for the free version of this tool.
Example: I plan to begin using this tool in the spring quarter in my lab portion of the class to help engage students in learning the concepts that are supported in the lab, such as histology and anatomy identification.
SWOT Analysis
SWOT Analysis
Context: Online/hybrid college science (anatomy and physiology) course, but can be used in other courses.
S- Uploading slides from Google to Nearpod to create lessons. Searchable database for videos and activities. Monitor student answers to questions during activities within the lesson.
W- Free version only allows 40 students to interact and has limited capabilities compared to the subscription. Students need to log in to participate with a code. Those without a device will not be able to participate fully.
O- Creates community and collaboration in the class with engaging interactive lessons and activities. Allows for interactive real-time formative assessments in synchronous classes so instructor and students can determine misconceptions and assess options for studying.
T- Students unable to log in will have less ability to get full potential of the interactive lesson. Students may feel anxiety or self-conscious about answering questions in class, as it is more individually based questions. This can be overcome with pair-share strategies where students submit answers on one device as a team.
Comparison to Other Tools
Comparison to Other Tools
I am not aware of a technology tool that has all the capabilities of Nearpod in one tool. EdPuzzle allows you to edit and add questions to videos. Panopto allows you to create lectures. Zoom allows for online synchronous sessions that you can add URLs for students to interact with, such as Google Jamboard. Nearpod does all of these in one tool: create lectures, edit videos, add games and interactive activities. While there is a subscription fee to fully access all the features of Nearpod, the free version still provides enough tools to make this a useful educational tool for making interactive, active pedagogy in a synchronous class.
Reflection
Reflection
I am excited to implement this new tool in my synchronous classes. I love the interactive nature and seamless connection with the lecture material. It provides for a much more engaging lecture and allows for formative assessments and feedback for how well students are understanding the concepts. It will take some time to convert my lectures from MS Powerpoint into this tool, but I am looking forward to seeing how well students improve their knowledge and engagement with this tool.
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