Introduction to Nearpod

You can use Nearpod for:  

• Interactive slides or video. Choose from already made interactive lessons or design your own. Nearpod allows you to customize content you already use in your teaching by integrating formative assessment opportunities to check for student understanding.  
• Active learning. Making space for students to interact with the content and/or with one another during class-time can support active learning and help students better recall information they are learning. Nearpod works especially well for large class sizes that may be difficult to promote active learning in the physical space by introducing the interactive technology elements.  
• Student-paced instruction. Students can also explore your lessons asynchronously, allowing for individually paced learning experiences. This aligns well with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices, offering students autonomy around when and how they choose to engage with the lesson.  
• Gamification. Keep students engaged while getting real-time insight into student understanding. You can explore activity banks for quick ways to check for student understanding during your class session. You can integrate collaboration boards for students to contribute multiple perspectives on course content. You can add polling, multiple-choice questions, and so much more! 

Nearpod functions as an interactive technology tool to engage students in their learning through low-stakes formative assessment opportunities. The tool may require some instructor preparation time to add interactive elements to premade learning materials. If you do not want to use your own materials, explore over 350 of Nearpod’s premade materials designed and peer-reviewed for higher education. The tool also integrates with DU enterprise technology, such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Canvas, and works with public-facing YouTube videos. Students can interact with the tool using any web-based device, including a laptop or smartphone, and they do not have to be in the same physical space to use the tool.  

4.5 Star –

Nearpod ranks 4.5/5 stars for accessibility. To learn more about the accessibility review, contact otl@du.edu. 

• Supports Text to Speech (TTS) such as NVDA, Jaws, or Voiceover 
• Partially Supports Alternative Input Experience/Keyboard Navigation  
• Supports Screen Magnification and Color Contrast 
• Dedication to Accessibility and Content Creator Experience 

What is Nearpod?  

Learn how to create a Nearpod lesson 

This technology is not included with the University of Denver. Faculty, staff, and students may need to purchase a subscription. The technology may offer educational pricing with an “.edu” email address. Free trials or free accounts may also be available through the technology website. 

• The University of Denver does not directly provide technical support. The Office of Teaching and Learning may consult on pedagogy. 
• Visit the Nearpod Help Center for technical support.  

Burton, R. (2019). A review of Nearpod – an interactive tool for student engagement. Journal of Applied Teaching and Learning. https://journals.sfu.ca/jalt/index.php/jalt/article/view/151  

McClean, S., Crowe, W. (2017). Making room for interactivity: using the cloud-based audience response system Nearpod to enhance engagement in lectures. FEMS Microbiology Letters, Volume 364, Issue 6. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnx052  

The Nearpod Team. (2021). Making higher education more accessible to adult learners. Nearpod Blog. https://nearpod.com/blog/making-higher-education-more-accessible-to-adult-learners/