Nearpod is a great tool. Many teachers say the one detractor to it being perfect is the fact that you are tied to your desk while running a live session. Well, I hate to break it to you, but that just isn’t true! There is a way to run Nearpod from your phone/tablet.

So, the big question is… HOW?  Well, it’s not nearly as complicated as you may think. All you need to do is download the Nearpod app from your app store. Install the app, and log in. There is an app for iOS and Android. The Android app, as of the time of this post, is new, so make sure you share feedback with the Nearpod team about issues you may have. I will say that it is a bit easier to do this with a tablet, but that may just be because I am old and need a larger image. 

Next, launch the lesson FROM YOUR MOBILE DEVICE.  That is the key here. You want to launch it from the device so that you can manage it as you walk. Then, you can join the session on whatever computer is projecting the screen. This will show the student view of the session, while you have the teacher view on your mobile device. 

After launching the live session, share the code with your participants, and log in yourself on the computer that is projecting.

There are some distinct advantages to doing it this way. You no longer have to worry about accidentally projecting student names/scores, you can wander the room engaging with students, and you don’t have to worry about them seeing the answers to questions up front. 

As you swipe through the lesson and use the various features that make Nearpod the great tool that it is, you are free to monitor students.