Nearpod

Access: Clever.com/in/pha or https://nearpod.com/

Overview:

Nearpod is an engaging, interactive presentation tool! You can create a lesson directly on Nearpod or through Google Slides. Students connect by joining with a code that is provided when you start the Nearpod lesson. Nearpod allows you to embed interactive questions, including a collaborate board, drawing tool, a poll, fill-in-the-blanks, and so much more! A great feature on the collaborate question-type is that it can be set up so the presenter must approve the post before others can view it. Learners can then read each others' posts and like them as well. On the drawing tool, students' drawings can be shared so that their peers can also see their hard work. Reports are saved at the end of the presentation so you can go back later to see how students did on each activity and question to see which students need more support. Nearpod allows all students to be actively engage and participate.

Subjects:

Literacy, Science, Social Studies, Math, Art, Language, Music, Computer Science, PE, Relationship-Building Activities

Grade Levels:

Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School

Tips:

You can create a lesson directly on Nearpod or through Google Slides. To create a Nearpod lesson on Google Slides, go to "Add-ons, Nearpod, then Open Nearpod". When you are done creating your Nearpod lesson on Google Slides, click on "Save & Go to Nearpod". Nearpod will automatically open in a new tab as it is saving your work as a Nearpod presentation. Creating your presentation through Google Slides typically is the simpler way.

You can present your Nearpod as a Live Session or self-paced. During the Live Session, the teacher controls which slide the learner is viewing and engaging in. This can be great for a direct lesson. The same lesson can be presented as a self-paced Nearpod where the learner controls which slide and activity they are working on within the presentation. This can be great during small group work or to use as sub plans. You can use the same presentation as a Live Session for one class, but as a self-paced Nearpod for another class.

You can easily use Nearpod lessons as sub-plans! First, create your presentation with the questions and activities embedded in the lesson. Then you have two ways to share this with your students. The first way is to make this Nearpod lesson self-paced. You can then put the link and code that is created specifically for that lesson on Google Classroom or Seesaw.

The second way is to create a sub-plan folder. You create a sub-plan folder by clicking "Sub Plans" on the left. Then, create a folder by clicking "+New Sub Plan". You can make several sub-folders, for instance, a different folder for each day you are out, or a Sick Day Folder and an Emergency Sub Plan Folder. After you have created the folder, click on the folder name and click "Add Lessons". When you are done adding as many lessons as you would like for that folder, click on "Sub Plans" on the left and then click on the green "Send Sub Plans". From here, you can put in the exact days you are planning to be absent and send them directly to the substitute or the front office. You can even include Class Notes and Procedures!

Prof Dev Resources:

Nearpod Certified Educator

You can become a Nearpod Certified Educator in three easy steps!

1) First, attend a webinar or workshop to grow your Nearpod skills.

2) Next, create a Nearpod lesson according to the recommended lesson guide.

3) Finally, teach the Nearpod lesson to at least 15 students.

After you have completed those three steps, you will apply by filling out the Google Form.

Nearpod Certified Educator Link

Advanced NCE

After you have become a Nearpod Certified Educator, you can earn your Advanced NCE by demonstrating a higher level of understanding and application of Nearpod. There are 4 steps to take to earn your Advnaced NCE.

1) First, you will complete the Nearpod to the Next Level self-paced lesson, which goes more in depth about all the Nearpod has to offer.

2) Next, you will complete a Pedagogical Approach to Nearpod self-paced lesson.

3) Then, you will create an original lesson using the pedagogical models of your choice, being sure to include 4 - 6 best practices with Nearpod.

4) Finally, you will fill out a Google Form to show that you have completed the steps, as well as a link to your lesson.

Advanced NCE Directions Link

Teacher Resources

If you need support while using Nearpod, you can click on "Teacher Resources" on the left. This will take you to a teacher resource page with webinars, getting started how-to videos, and blogs. You can also type in a specific question you have by clicking on "Teacher & Admin Resoruces". If you are on your main dashboard in Nearpod right after you sign in, you can click on the blue messaging icon in the lower righthand corner. From here, you can easily message Nearpod Support. Finally, you can join the Facebook community to connect with educators from across the world and get real-time support and feedback from other teachers also using Nearpod!

Examples:

Nearpod has a wonderful library full of pre-made topics, Nearpod lessons, activities, videos, and so much more! To access this great collection, just click on "Nearpod Library" on the left. From here, you can narrow your search by indicating the subject and grade level you are looking for. There are even guided mediation lessons available! You can also search for a specific topic you are looking for by typing in the topic name in the Search bar at the top of the page.