How do you fit tons of standards into one year in a memorable, interactive way? As of last week, I’m going to have to go with Nearpod !
Backstory: Since the 2013-2014 school year, I have been introducing new material to my class via Educannon. Educannon has allowed me to introduce new science material as a video which enabled the students to pause and self pace, provided my students with read aloud, and enabled embedded CFUs. However: I felt the format was basic, and as I been doing this same routine for the duration of my life as a science teacher in the NO, I was ready for a change. I think the kids were, too.
Last week, I decided to try Nearpod instead, which was suggested by an awesome co-worker.
Pros:
- Students do NOT have to be logged in– students can simply enter a class code- not unlike socrative :
This takes away one step, and we all know how precious time can be during class!
- Students are easily monitored- ever since the loss of the amazing program hapara, I have been circling around my students and making sure they are the correct website. This is a time suck as I’d much rather be checking in to make sure they understand the content. With Nearpod, I am able to see if a student is active in the lesson or on a different tab with simple a red icon green icon system:
- We are all on the same page! Students start and end at the same time, as controlled from my screen. I still get data– but I can share it out with the students!
highlight: one of my classes got 100% correct 3x in a row and burst out in a cheer!
- Data can be collected in more than one way; students are able to answer a multiple choice question, complete a sentence by filling in the blank, or even draw:
The students loved drawing on the above diagram of a plant cell! They were v. stoked!
- Students still receive read aloud. Being that my students have Google Chromebooks on the basis of differentiation, it would be a disservice to them if they did not receive accommodations as needed. We are still reading the slides aloud, and my students love being able to “be the teacher” and read a portion of the INM to their class!
Cons:
- My highest students might need more of a challenge. To compensate, I include a view-only link of the presentation I used for INM on my class website. This enables the top three or so students to move ahead, but still ask questions and participate in the embedded CFU’s during the presentation. If they finish early, they have a week long “early finishers” project or extension assignment they can work on.
Using Nearpod engages students, is more interactive than other programs I’ve tried, and enables me to provide students with IEPs with the read-aloud they need. Love it! AKR
INSPIRES blog 