Many teachers around the world know of Nearpod as a tool for synchronizing learning in the classroom via the iPad.  Nearpod has recently released a new version of their app, and content tools that provide teachers with some great ways to enrich instruction.

Apps: A new app is available that you’ll want to install on your iPad then delete the old student app.  The new app will be used for both teacher and student access. It is fully compatible with iOS 6. In addition, an app for the Nook is available.  An Android app is still in development.

Guided web browsing:Students can be directed to a website from within a presentation.  Once in the website, they are free to navigate within that website only.  This will help to keep students focused on the intended content and not surfing to other sites.  For example, students might be directed to a news site and asked to choose a story to read closely for how the main ideas or points in the story are supported with evidence (Common Core Learning Standards ELA:  Integration of Knowledge and Ideas – Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).).

Slideshows: A slideshow containing several slides can be included in a presentation.  This is a self paced element, so students will be able to proceed through each of the slides on their own.  Followed by an activity such as drawing, multiple choice or free text responses this could provide a good pause in a lesson to check for understanding.  For example, if the lesson were about the order of operations,  you might give your students a number of problems to choose from, ask them to solve one problem then turn to a partner and explain the solution. Follow this up with an activity that prompts them to draw the solution to a final problem so you can assess their progress (Common Core Learning Standards Math: Expressions and Equations).

Check out the types of accounts that are available in Nearpod, both free and paid, to see which one is best for your use and needs.

How are you using Nearpod? What new features do you think would be most useful in your instruction?