Learning Tools

Nearpod Takes K-12 Student Engagement Software into Higher Ed

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 10/31/19

Nearpod, which produces education technology for K-12, is redesigning its flagship service for use in higher education classrooms too.

The company's "student engagement" system for K-12 lets teachers create, download and teach interactive lessons that include quizzes, polls, open-ended questions, digital collaboration and 3D objects. Pre-built lessons are available, which can be edited for customization. A virtual reality module also allows educators to immerse students into virtual field trips. To use the software, the instructor enters a lesson, provides a code to the student, and the lesson is synced to all the devices in the classroom. The teacher can also make lessons available to students outside of group classroom delivery. The program already integrates with learning management systems, including Instructure Canvas.

Nearpod for Higher Education is being pegged as an active learning platform for face-to-face and online courses. Many of the same features are available, including polling and quizzes. And lessons can be delivered in real time or asynchronously.

The company said the software has been piloted with 200 institutions, including Boise State University, the University of Maine and Columbia University.

"As we gather feedback from Nearpod's higher ed early adopters — like Illinois State and Saint Xavier University — we'll keep evolving the platform to meet higher ed needs," wrote Nearpod CEO Felipe Sommer in a blog post. "From content creation to tailored features, we can't wait to explore this market deeper and continue building out programs that suit the needs of all higher learning institutions and their learners."