by Gretchen Schultek, Third Grade Teacher at Berewick Elementary
During planning one day, my literacy coach proposed that my team engage students in a review of material in a manner similar to the game “Jeopardy.” However, why not have each student work on a device at their desk to answer instead of answering out loud as one large class? This was genius- why not?! The program she referenced was an app available on iPads called, “Nearpod.“
In order for students to all interpret the information and really think during class, they have to be held accountable in some way. Having students engage in a review where they each have to reply was ideal. (Besides on a test, when do we really have that happen?) Thus, my team checked out a cart of iPads (5 per class = 1 iPad per table group). I stood at the SmartBoard and manipulated the screen to showcase the questions, as students collaborated with one another and selected their answer on the iPod. The results graphed immediately in front of the class making it easy for me to see how we as a class were progressing towards mastery of the content. Students reinforced the knowledge by teaching each other through discussion of potential answers to numerous questions. “Oh, I get it!” or “You’re right, I forgot about that!’ was heard often. They enjoyed the instant gratification of seeing the correctness of their answer.
Below are some pictures of my students utilizing the Nearpod app on the iPad during our review game:
In order for students to all interpret the information and really think during class, they have to be held accountable in some way. Having students engage in a review where they each have to reply was ideal. (Besides on a test, when do we really have that happen?) Thus, my team checked out a cart of iPads (5 per class = 1 iPad per table group). I stood at the SmartBoard and manipulated the screen to showcase the questions, as students collaborated with one another and selected their answer on the iPod. The results graphed immediately in front of the class making it easy for me to see how we as a class were progressing towards mastery of the content. Students reinforced the knowledge by teaching each other through discussion of potential answers to numerous questions. “Oh, I get it!” or “You’re right, I forgot about that!’ was heard often. They enjoyed the instant gratification of seeing the correctness of their answer.
Below are some pictures of my students utilizing the Nearpod app on the iPad during our review game:
As if you couldn’t tell already, I think this is so exciting! I absolutely LOVED interacting with technology, providing content in a new way to my students, requiring all students to demonstrate mastery of the content, and having fun! My students cannot wait to do this again with EVERYTHING (oh boy- this might not work out well for me! hehe).
It is really easy to do. Download the Nearpod app on your device and create an account. Then, get started!
Check out this video for additional information. Want to know what other teachers think about Nearpod? See it for yourself here.
It is really easy to do. Download the Nearpod app on your device and create an account. Then, get started!
Check out this video for additional information. Want to know what other teachers think about Nearpod? See it for yourself here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gretchen Schultek is currently a Third Grade Teacher at Berewick Elementary School. During the past 8 years, she has taught second, third, and fifth grade in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Blogging became a way for her to reflect on her classroom experiences and network with quality educators on the web whose experience could guide her development as an educator. She looks forward to strengthening her teaching craft with quality educators who are creative, passionate, and open-minded right here in our own school district!
Gretchen Schultek is currently a Third Grade Teacher at Berewick Elementary School. During the past 8 years, she has taught second, third, and fifth grade in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Blogging became a way for her to reflect on her classroom experiences and network with quality educators on the web whose experience could guide her development as an educator. She looks forward to strengthening her teaching craft with quality educators who are creative, passionate, and open-minded right here in our own school district!