How to Make a Nearpod Presentation

How to Make a Nearpod Presentation

My Nearpod lessons begin as PowerPoint presentations. I save all of the PowerPoint slides as JPG images. Click on File > Save As, then click the black down-arrow by Save as Type. Select JPGFile. You will be prompted to save the current slide or save all slides as JPG files. Save them all as JPG files.

As I build my PowerPoint slides I keep in mind that students will be able to write on the slides in Nearpod with a pen (various colors) so I design them with this in mind. I make slides where the students can draw, underline, circle, connect objects with lines, write numbers and words, etc. Below are samples.

Make your first and last slides something that the students won’t interact with by underlining or drawing because Nearpod will not let you begin or end your presentation with an interactive slide. I make the first and last slides a title and ending slide.

After you have built your PowerPoint and saved the slides as images, go to http://nearpod.com , make an account, and create a new presentation. Click on Create, then +New Presentation.

There are several ways to make a Nearpod presentation but I like to Start from Scratch.

Nearpod puts two generic slides into your presentation when you start from scratch but I delete them as soon as I have added my own slides. Click on the + sign to add a slide.

I click on Add Content, then Slides, and add my title slide (image) from my PowerPoint.

Click on Add Activity to make an interactive slide where your students can draw or write on the screen. I make all my screens (except the first and last one) using Draw It. Then the students can annotate over what I have on my screen. You can also add an open-ended question, poll, and quiz if you like. If I add slides with content information that students won’t write on, I make them regular slides and not Draw it screens. Add your last slide by clicking on Add Content again and then Slides.

When you are finished adding your slides, give your presentation a title, save it and make it public.

Here’s a link to Nearpod tips on their website:

http://www.nearpod.com/nptips-for-an-amazing-nearpod-experience/

Have fun!

Patti