Goal: To transform the classroom experience and enhance student engagement throughout instruction, effectively utilizing our 1:1 student devices
The WHY behind Nearpod:
To support teaching with the interactive tools, resources, and templates teachers need for all subject!
To enhance your (already awesome) Google Slides lesson with interactive opportunities for students and to get live feedback
Encourage students to stay focused and on task during instruction and providing an up close and personal digital learning experience
There are so many resources Nearpod offers for teachers, especially their blog!
Why should you try teacher and student-paced presentations? Google Slides rock, but there's more!
Have you ever used a teacher or student-paced presentation platform? Maybe you've already tried Nearpod or, like me, PearDeck was your go-to for online teaching during Covid? I believe teacher-paced, and student-paced, lessons are extremely beneficial to transforming the instruction.
Utilize 1:1 devices to support students who need material up close, can be taking notes on paper/pencil, and can save these Slides for later need (study guides!)
Real-time, equitable formative data collection - students can share their understanding without feeling like they're being 'put on blast' or judged for not knowing the answer
So now you might be thinking...what's better Nearpod or PearDeck?
Quick answer: in my opinion, one isn't better than the other BUT
Long answer: consider this - why you might use the Microsoft Outlook desktop app on your computer, versus using the web-based app, versus the Mail app on your phone with your Outlook email instead of downloading the Outlook app?
Features
Accessibility
Preference
Options, Settings
Although I was comfortable with PearDeck, I took 12 minutes to watch 1 video, skim this comparison chart, and ask a few colleagues some questions I felt comfortable giving Nearpod Premium a real chance.
Here are some more resources that helped me understand the differences and similarities between Nearpod or PearDeck...
Ryan Wheeler Chi Rocha Deborah Hilton | CHECK THESE OUT! Nearpod vs PearDeck SmackDown! Slides & comparison chart |
G2 Business Software Reviews | Side-by-side based on on User Reviews |
MR. KAMROWSKI | A teacher's perspective comparing the two, however, from 2015 |
Additionally, I want to share a few key points teachers, colleagues and some EdTech superstars have shared with me about some of their favorite reasons to use Nearpod:
"Student engagement is higher due to it's very kid/user-friendly layout"
"Easy creation and delivery"
"Simple integration of Flocabulary, BBC videos, EdPuzzle and many more outside resources into your presentations"
"Did you know you can include math formulas, lines and shapes, and math manipulatives on Nearpod?! Mind. Blown."
"The Time to Climb feature takes some time to get into the groove of using, but I love it."
"The differentiated and options for student assessment PearDeck doesn't offer like matching and fill in the blank, those are just two of my favorite."
"The Nearpod LIBRARY! There is just so much and I just get to pick, great for sub days" 👀
Wherever you are in your Nearpod journey, I'm here to meet you where you're at. But, I challenge you to take a few risks this week and explore the Intermediate and Advanced resources to explore what's out there.
Beginner
Explore the Nearpod Library - there are 8.5k+ interactive lessons, 10.2k+ interactive videos, 3.3k+ relative games and activities that are already made and ready to be used!!
Video: Step-by-Step Creating your first Nearpod Lesson (3:01)
TRY THIS! Video: Accessing and downloading Nearpod reports (1:49)
Intermediate
TRY THIS! Add an Activity Bank - they're ready to use features including Time to Climb (always a crowd favorite), Matching Pairs, Draw It, and Drag & Drop options
Math teachers!! Always feeling left out when math symbols and characters aren't included but you need to use them? Explore and tinker around with the Draw It Activities!
Check out 6 quick ways to use interactive activities in the classroom from Nearpod's Blog!
Video: How to use Nearpod with Schoology (1:24)
Advanced
TRY THIS! Step-by-step how to use the Collaborate Board
Video: What's new in Nearpod? (1:42)
Nearpod offers so many resources including their incredible blog with posts sharing tips and tricks to building student-teacher relationships. Here's a few posts I've looked into and wanted to share
UPCOMING! Tess' Tech Tuesday
NEXT WEEK SEPTEMBER 6TH: Flocabulary
(get a head start and check out all the features by clicking the link above!)
Exploring the learning sequence
The hip-hop videos can introduce unit vocab or content in a catchy way that will have your kids singing it all the time!
Vocab cards and games help by writing and drawing key words from the lesson
Utilizing their blog with all the tips and tricks
Incorporating SEL and current events into instruction
Have a suggestion or something you want to learn more about? Fill out this Google Form and stay tuned!
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