One platform - multiple ways to teach!

Near what? Nearpod!

 

This week I am going back to the concept of mobile learning. Mobile phone apps for learning languages like Duolingo or Babbel are available for everyone and don’t require a teacher’s authorisation for using it. However, there are other mobile technologies which depend entirely on a teacher’s ability and willingness to implement them in the teaching process. Such an approach would have been very common a few years ago... But! 

 

Technological culture among teachers and teachers’ access to technology have dramatically changed over the last two years during the COVID pandemic. Even those who have been resistant or not comfortable or didn’t have enough time for ICT literacy, had to adapt by necessity and master these skills in record time. We are now witnessing a transformation in teaching and learning where traditional forms are being shifted. Teachers had to learn on the go as they have had to face the issue of forced access to the world of internet capable devices in order to facilitate teaching through any format and support students’ learning in any environment.

 

Web-based platforms and content delivery systems that helped teachers to personalise the distance learning during the pandemic have proved to be so successful, that now it would be difficult to find an educator who would agree that ⬆️“using mobile technologies in teaching depends entirely on teacher’s ability and willingness”. Now interactive platforms that combine teaching with more engaging technology are not optional any more for the teacher. It has become something, without which it’s harder and harder to imagine effective teaching. One of them – Nearpod – is the hero of my last blog.

screenshot

Nearpod allows for:

Flexibility

Experimentation

Interactivity

Compatibility

Creativity 

 

I have enjoyed creating an interactive Treasure Hunt for English language learners. I found the process straightforward and user-friendly. You can check my resource out by following the link:

Treasure Hunt

image from iStock

The platform offers three modes for teaching. Live participation mode allows teachers to control the lesson pace as the students don’t move to the next screen before the teacher advances. With the Student pace mode, learners progress through the tasks independently no matter whether they are at home or in a class. These two modes provide immediate feedback about each student’s work as they use their own apps on their devices. Teachers can track students who are not participating and give support if needed. The Front of the class mode allows teachers to streamline presentations while students don’t use their devices. Nearpod is a versatile platform that makes you to want to benefit from it. Teachers don’t have to ditch their previous resources – they can utilise them to create new interactive lessons that have the potential to ensure students’ engagement. It’s very easy to make Nearpod your handy everyday tool for teaching.

Other +++

Huge library of pre-made materials ready to use

More opportunities to motivate students with the combination of different activities

Students have to study as the course or project progresses and not just at the end

Great for formative assessments

No need for class photocopies

 

Any concerns?

 

🤔 The free Silver version has limitations in space, number of students and access to the content

🤔 Additional competencies and extra planning & designing for the teachers

 

Finally 🏁

It’s amazing how much teaching has changed over the last couple of years. The number of interactive platforms and resources, which are supposed to make teaching more effective and less time-consuming process, is impressive. The challenge is bringing the right resources together in a coherent way that saves teacher's time and ensures pupil engagement and success.

 

I think my experimenting with blogging about technologies that are useful in teaching has brought me many valuable insights and was more interesting than I assumed. It also has been more time consuming and emotion involving then I assumed! Overall, I don’t think I have officially become a converted blogger, but I thoroughly enjoyed this journey and will continue with my habit to look out for new technology I can use to make sure my teaching is up to date & more engaging.