What is Nearpod
Nearpod is a free interactive website that can make learning fun. It is similar to PowerPoint but is more interactive. Students log in with a code provided by the instructor at the start of the lesson. Professors give students a code, and the learners run through the presentation at their own pace. Students do not need to pre-register or provide information other than their names and the code.
Up to 30 students can join a live session, but for $10 per month, the professor can have up to 75 students join each session. This option includes a Google Slides Add-on, sub plans, ten times more storage, and email and phone support.
Why Nearpod
Similar to MS PowerPoint, Nearpod is relatively easy to use. It is interactive in that the presenter can add activities, and students can answer or complete them in real-time. As the students answer the questions, the class will see the content on the screen. Students can show their names or have their answers come up as Anonymous. Instructors can also add videos or any images to the slides.
A few activities include a poll, fill-in-the-blank questions, time to climb, open-ended questions, matching pairs, and quizzes. In the time to climb activity, for example, students will pick a character, and as they answer questions correctly, they will see their character climb a mountain. Students can choose backgrounds other than the mountain, such as outer space or an underwater scene.
From the Nearpod Library, you can also choose pre-made lessons (templates) available on thousands of topics. Disciplines such as math, science, technology, health, and world languages are available. An example of a health pre-made Nearpod is Health and Exercise. The instructor can add or edit activities and videos the pre-made Nearpod offers. Reports are available so you can look back at student names and answers to the activities.
Where is Nearpod
Nearpod can be accessed at nearpod.com.