Learn interactively anytime, anywhere - Nearpod

Since the technology becomes more advanced, learning is not only limited in classroom but also available in other platforms with the aid of portable devices, for example, laptops, tablets etc. Nowadays, most mobile phones are connected to Internet so it makes learning more convenient - It can be taken place in everywhere, no matter when you are commuting, you are travelling, or you are cooking! Because of that, a lot of mobile applications has been launched. 

Today the learning tool that I am going to introduce to you is Nearpod.

Nearpod is a tool that works like powerpoint, but it's more interactive than powerpoint. In this application, you can create slides, or you can import your own powerpoint slides into it. 

Interface

Different from Powerpoint, the special feature is that you can add interactive media, from 2D animations and videos to even VR simulations and 3D models. Templates from Nearpod itself or other sources like BBC, PhET Interactive Simulations are provided, so that you need not to create one yourselves, but just enter your keywords or search from categories.

Import content

Moreover, you can create activities in your presentation, for example, polls, quiz, fill in the blanks etc. so can let your students more engaged into your lesson.

Create activities

Moreover, it can allows you to have different settings on your lesson, for example, you can allow other students to see the answers of each other if you have "Collaboration Board" function in your lesson, or you can restrict students from skipping the questions if quizzes are included in it, depends on your needs and students' level.

Lesson Setting

So how Nearpod bring advantages to students? It can be in the following three ways according to Kearney at al (2012):

Personalisation: It refers to a sense of intimacy and convenience with their personal devices, as well as the flexible, autonomous activities. Since the lesson can be done anytime and anywhere due to the availability in various mobile devices, this allows students to have more control on their study, for example, they can choose their own study style and their time spend on studying. If your lesson can be done individually, this will be the advantage compared with traditional classroom learning.

Authenticity: It refers to whether the task is realistic and similar to real world. This can be achieved when your lesson is related to the interaction with realistic situation, for example, oral conversation during shopping, asking for direction to certain area, etc. Integrated with other tools like audio and video-recording, students will feel like they are in actual situation and will be confident to utilise what they have learned in reality.

Collaboration: It is related to social interaction and communication with peers or adults with relationship. If your tasks in the lesson need to be finished in groups, for example, jigsaw reading tasks,  this can be achieved by exchanging information in order to make a full picture of the task. Also, if the task requires division of work (just like the conversation task above - one need to do the conversation with the counterpart, while another need to record the conversation), the aim of collaboration can also be fulfilled.

In overall, Nearpod is a good tool and it is suitable for both junior and senior secondary students, since adolescents are more interested and have higher degree on learning new learning tools. The engagement of students in the class will be increased if interactive tools are utilised. 

However, I would advise you to check if your school have full support on mobile learning - as students may not allowed to bring their mobile devices to school due to security, the Internet may not support full coverage so activities outside classroom may not be allowed etc.

Finally, below is a demo slide that I have tried to use in my Intermediate ESL classroom. The topic is "End-of-Year" Holidays.  Let's try and see if you have same feeling as me.😉