Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 85

Background: I teach Geometry exclusively to English Language Learner students in a Title I high school located in Immokalee, Florida.  Most of my students are immigrants to the United States and are below class level in their math skills; they are hungry to improve their learning but are shy to answer questions given their limited English language skills, thus making it more difficult to recognize each student’s level of understanding.
Need: I needed a way to immediately see each student’s answer to questions posed during class.  Nearpod has helped me get this immediate feedback. With the $125 grant for the on-line Nearpod program I have been able to send out polls and quizzes and, as soon as students submit their responses, have had an instant snapshot of each student’s understanding of a particular topic.  This has facilitated timely decisions on how to proceed on the lesson, either reteach the whole class or differentiate by reteaching part of the class while providing a new challenge for the students that have already demonstrated understanding.  

Students need to pass the Algebra I final exam or its equivalent to graduate.  One measurable and highly visible benefit is that on the recent PERT test (a recognized equivalent test of Algebra skills) 49% of my students who failed to pass the Algebra I final exam last year have passed the equivalent test requirement for graduation.  This is an unheard-of accomplishment for this demographic group.  My students are proud of their accomplishment and are highly motivated to work hard to continue to learn. 

Although measured benefits are the result of first, the dedicated hard work of my students and additionally, from all of the actions of the teacher, I firmly believe that Nearpod has been a contributor to the improvement. 

It is encouraging to see my students become enthusiastic and self-confident learners.  Your support through the $125 grant to support purchase of the Nearpod license has helped facilitate this.  My students and I are highly appreciative of your support.

Note: I was able to get a discount on the license ($120 instead of $125).  Let me know how to refund the $5 not spent.