New App Links Students and Teachers on iPads
A newly launched app will allow teachers to create and share interactive lessons for mobile devices like iPads, and help them receive feedback on the ways students are using their devices.
By using the app, called Nearpod, teachers can either create lessons or choose from available multimedia already available, such as Khan Academy videos and TED Education presentations, featuring content and activities appropriate for any grade level and aligned to the Common Core.
Lessons are shared through a student version of the app. Teachers can control the information sent to student devices and can initiate and collect data from student assessments given after the lesson. The app's reporting tool lets teachers analyze both individual and group achievement.
Certain schools have already piloted the app in classrooms during an extensive field test conducted by the company.
"Nearpod is a great addition to our digital classroom toolbox," said Gonzalo Garcia, chief information officer at South Kent School in Connecticut in a statement. "The faculty loves it, especially for its interactivity aspect; teachers can see when students are logged in and make sure their class is truly engaged.â
Currently the app runs only on iOS devices, however versions for Android and Windows are in development.
About the Author
Stephen Noonoo is an education technology journalist based in Los Angeles. He is on Twitter @stephenoonoo.