Nearpod: a Mobile Assisted Learning Tool for TOEFL Learners

Hi, 😀Beijing colleagues. From the perspective of sociocultural theory, interaction is at the core of SLA. We are always on the way to explore means of interactive TOEFL class. In this blog, I am to share an interactive education platform, called ‘Nearpod’ (https://nearpod.com).

Nearpod is a mobile assisted learning tool designed for interactive classes. It can synchronize materials on the electronic equipment of both teacher and students. When the teacher presents learning materials on big screen, students can get access to the materials by Nearpod on their mobile electronic equipment at the same time. Imagine when the teacher presents reading tasks on the big screen in TOEFL class, back-row students without either this kind of mobile tool or paper copies would have difficulty in dealing with the reading tasks especially in the case of a long reading text. But with Nearpod, students could use their own electronic equipment to read and take notes while following the teacher’s pace.

Nearpod can present interactive questions while lecture proceeds. The form of interactive questions includes multiple choices, true/false questions and open-ended questions. After students submit answers, the teacher can synchronically get information about class performance of the corresponding question on Nearpod platform. Then the teacher could give immediate corrective feedback to students, and consequently to a large extent enhance the efficiency of interaction with students. Regarding open-ended questions, on Nearpod students can share their thoughts freely and see each other’s written responses to the same topic, to some extent making collaborative learning possible. What’s more, even when it comes to share videos through Nearpod, the teacher can deliver interactive activities on the platform.

                                                                           (multiple choice questions on Nearpod)          (open-ended questions on Nearpod)   

                               
                                (Teacher can add interactive activities into video presentation on Nearpod.)

I think Nearpod for class interaction is exactly what we need. Our students are high school learners, who are always shy or consider the behaviour of answering teacher’s questions in front of the whole class uncool. But Nearpod provides an online platform for them to freely share thoughts anonymously or pseudonymously and participate class without concern about other classmates’ opinions of themselves. Besides, after students submit their answers to multiple choice questions, Nearpod will present a statistical chart on the teacher terminal showing which incorrect choices are confusing to students. Accordingly, the teacher could give corrective feedback and explanation for the questions without delay. This platform can really save a lot of time in class.

                                   (a statistical chart about class performance on the teacher terminal)
    

However, the mobile assisted language learning tool like Nearpod could easily distract students’ attention from classes. They may use their mobile electronic equipment to chat on social software or browse around on the internet while the teacher asks them to follow class on Nearpod. Besides, even though the interaction in the written form through Nearpod could have some positive impacts on classes, oral interaction in class is equally necessary especially when it comes to TOEFL listening and speaking lessons. Thus, we should employ this kind of mobile assisted learning tool wisely and strategically.