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NEARPOD: Create, Engage, & Assess

Hello friends!

I am continuing my #technologytidbits with you by introducing you to a phenomenal FREE resource called Nearpod.

Nearpod is basically powerpoint on steroids. Yes, I used that analogy because it’s true.
With Nearpod, you can create your own presentations (just like powerpoint or Google Slides), however Nearpod has features to make your presentation as engaging yet informative as possible.

These Nearpod presentations can then be pushed out to multiple devices at once. The teachers control the presentations from a master iOS device, while students follow along on a class set of devices.

When I slide to the next slide, every students’ devices are synchronized. When I want them to complete a certain activity, it will show up on every students’ device.

We all have “those kids” that would participate in off task behavior rather than indulge in the lesson. With Nearpod, I can easily see who is logged in and who isn’t. When the lesson begins, students are asked to sign in. Nearpod generates a total number of students logged in and places that number in the green corner of your master screen. If a student decides to get off of the app to get on something else, or lets their device go to sleep because they’re not paying attention—that green number turns red, and when I click it, it will let me know exactly WHOSE device is not active!

It’s amazing! I can easily say: Darryl please re-open Nearpod and that is enough to scare a child because I am “all knowing”, they don’t want to do it again!
When you click “Add Content” you are simply just adding a slide
The “ADD CONTENT” button has all the fun gadgets 🙂
Here are the options that you can include with your lessons.
Open Ended Questions
Poll
Quiz
Draw It
Matching Pairs
 With the draw it feature, the possibilities are endless.
I used it to create a paired numbers table and asked the kids to create their own table.
You can also have the kids draw the water cycle, draw a grouping model. etc.

Simply drag and drop an image (like what I did with the table) OR just write a question prompt at the top.
Here is an example of a drag and drop image using the “Draw It” button.
Notice how I created a template for her as a guide.

Here is what it looks like with the multiple choice option.
If we are going to have the kids draw, poll, and take quizzes on this app then we need to USE the information. Nearpod keeps all of the responses so you can go back and assess their understanding. This is WONDERFUL when I categorize for small groups, and gives me an easy determination of who needs immediate intervention and who completely understands.
You can share your data with other people.
Math Specialists, Reading specialists, even team teachers.
ANOTHER FUN FACT:
Notice the SHARE button at the top of the screen?
I can SHARE specific student’s responses on EVERY device that is connected.
I LOVE showcasing kids hard work!
“Look at  Jake’s response, I love how he solved the problem this way and showed his work. Now look at Dannah’s problem, she solved it a different way and still got the answer”.
It is SUCH a powerful tool!!!
When you log in, it will ask what you would like to do. Press, “CREATE”, then NEW PRESENTATION.
  1. The buttons above are pretty self explanatory. I always delete the first and last slide so I can properly label what my lesson is about.
    **I CREATE ALL MY LESSONS IN POWERPOINT**
    This way, I can add my own clipart & use as many words as I want.
    Here is how I do it….
    I create a powerpoint lesson like I usually would.
    I make sure and create parts of my lesson with opportunities for my kids to draw on their tablet.
    Here, I want my kids to create a table so I created a template for them to draw on.
    When I finish making my lesson, I click Save AS
    EXCEPT, I want to save as a JPEG.
    Now I can drag and drop my slides into Nearpod.
    When you drag and drop multiple slides at one, be sure and press “SINGLE SLIDES” so you can control turning each individual page.
    When you want to add an ACTIVITY to but use an image, you will have to upload that slide INDIVIDUALLY….
    There are TONS of FREE lessons on Nearpod!
    Just check out the TOP FREE resources.
    This website is so great that there is no way that my blog post can do it justice.
    Check out their website for other helpful tutorials!
    Click HERE to see more tutorials.
Do you or have you ever tried Nearpod? What are some ways that you like to use it?
Amber

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6 Comment

  1. Reply
    Jessica Fasani
    January 12, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    What a great resource! So detailed!

  2. Reply
    Joshua Tappan
    February 12, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    Amber, this is an awesome description of how you use Nearpod, very detailed and descriptive images that are easy to follow! I'll be sure to point teachers to this blog when they ask how to use Nearpod for the first time 🙂

    One tip – you can drag and drop ppt or keynote files from your laptop directly into any presentation! Way shorter than saving as jpeg, clicking add slideshow, etc. and Nearpod will convert all your slides individually into your Nearpod presentation.

    Feel free to get in touch if you have any feedback or innovative uses of Nearpod that you want to share (joshuat@nearpod.com).

    1. Reply
      Amber Calderon
      October 8, 2015 at 12:34 am

      Hey Joshua!
      Thank you so much for reading my blog! I totally agree that we can drag and drop and it is easier—-However, we have to drag and drop one slide at a time if we plan on using the activity feature. Is this correct or can we change the slide to an activity feature, later?

      Thanks so much!
      Amber
      @Ambercldrn

    2. Reply
      Joshua Tappan
      October 20, 2015 at 2:05 am

      Hi Amber,

      You're right, activity slides are separate from content slides (video, audio, slideshow), so you have to add them after you import your presentation files. You can also right click anywhere in the Nearpod lesson to add a slide where you want it, which eliminates the need to create an activity THEN reorder it.

      Josh

  3. Reply
    Sparkling in Self Contained
    March 9, 2015 at 1:07 am

    Thank you for a great tutorial! I just found out able Nearpod and have been looking for easy ways to understand how to use it and this is great!

    1. Reply
      Cameron Calland-Jones
      April 7, 2015 at 1:39 am

      This is a fantastic tutorial & I love the lesson you created. Is it available for purchase????

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