Introducing NearJam: Nearpod + Jamboard For Collaboration

All summer I have been seeing the same question from teachers all over the country: “how can I effectively use collaborative structures during virtual learning." The most common answer is using breakout rooms. The most common concern about that suggestion is that teachers can not be present in all of the rooms with the students. This creates apprehension among teachers.

Teachers are looking for simultaneous synchronous and asynchronous interactions that can be actively monitored in real time.

I have been thinking a lot about how to make this happen because my math class is built to ensure the students are learning as much if not more from their peers. I believe in sharing knowledge, not hoarding and hiding it. I hope I have a workable solution with NearJam.

I am planning to combine two powerhouse teaching tools: Nearpod and Jamboard. Nearpod brings a level of lesson planning, lesson management and delivery with a toolbox full of activities. Jamboard could be used for lesson planning and management, but really brings the power with real-time, dynamic collaboration. While I love Nearpod’s ability to plan entire lessons and to create collaboration, the collaboration is limited to a basic level. Collaboration on Nearpod is likely a singular response to a teacher driven question. Using the Collaborate Board for conversations or pairing does not make sense (right now). Collaboration with back-and-forth notes, student pairing, and dynamic questions and responses is possible with Jamboard.

Learn How To Make a NearJam and Test One

I have created a student paced Nearpod to teach you how to use a NearJam as a cooperative/collaborative learning tool during social distancing. Head over to join.nearpod.com and enter the code: LAGXO. Please engage in the NearJam by duplicating a slide and participating in the activity in some way. You can add your name to a slide (or a funny name), solve the problems, or leave a note.

Download a free copy of the instructional portion of the above Nearpod to teach your students how to use NearJams. The file link is on the last page as a Google Slides Presentation made for Nearpod.

Watch how to make a NearJam for partner work with Jamboard slides premade for students.

Tips for Using a NearJam

Note - Jamboard has a 20 slide limit. Collaboration would work best if partners worked on the same slide.

I plan to turn my typical Draw It slides into Jamboards inserted into Nearpod. You may already know I am a huge fan of Draw It slides because of its versatility. Jamboard offers the same versatility with the ability to communicate with each other. I do not have everything sorted out, but this is where the creativity of the collective comes in. As we all head back to teaching and experiment we can solve each other's problems. I am certain there are going to be teachers who think of solutions as they read this. Without being able to try this in the classroom yet, here are some tips I can address with limited information.

Duplicating Jamboard Slides

You can have students duplicate slides as they enter the activity. This might work best for student-paced. Although this is the process I mention in the student paced lesson I created there are alternatives. One option is that you can create the duplicated slides in advanced for each student or partner group in your class. Jamboard has a 20 slide limit, so it might be best to set it up in pairs. Then assign every students/pair a slide number (shown below). I recommend keeping the numbers consistent for a period of time.

Doing this little extra prep work will offer a more organized process for a live lesson. There is an additional benefit of being able to identify work that is missing a name. Students are also less likely to alter the master slide.

Have Backups

Have a backup of the Jamboard in case a student accidentally erases the original slide. Jamboard does not have a lock feature and students can remove your background and even delete slides. It is not easy to copy and paste a Jamboard from one board to another, so it is important to keep the elements of the Jamboard on hand. I plan to make my Jamboards with photos. I make the activity in Pages and then screenshot the activity to make it a photo. I then drop the photo into Jamboard. I will keep the photo in a Drive folder, so I can instantly add the photo to the Jamboard in the event that it is deleted completely and can not be restored.

Make a Jamboard for Each Class

I make Nearpod codes for each class, it seems to make sense that I would make a Jamboard for each class. This can be easy to implement when using Nearpod live. I can add three different slides with three different Jamboards - one for each class in the order I teach them. I can skip over the slides that are for the other class periods. I advise naming the Jamboards by class period and labeling each at the top so you can stay organized and accurate with your links.

For student-paced I see two workarounds. The above instruction can be given to students with the Jamboards labeled at the top for each class period. So the first Nearpod slide with a Jamboard is for period 1 and the Jamboard will read period 1 on top. The second Nearpod slide with a Jamboard is for period two. I am confident students will work in the wrong Jamboard. The second solution is a little more work. Duplicate the nearpod to have one lesson for each class period. Be sure to update the Jamboard link in each Nearpod after it is duplicated. Double check the Jamboard matches the Neapod lesson and the Nearpod lessons are assigned to the right classes.

Rework Your Collaborative Structures

I can see how “Think, Pair, Share”, “Paired Heads Together,” “Coaching Structures,” and more can be modified in the virtual setting using live interactive boards. Planning will just be a little different. Students should be advised when writing to another student to address their partners by name and sign each written communication. This will go a long way in organizing the communication for group members and anyone who enters the Jamboard.

Plan Groups

Since I have not started teaching yet, I am assuming that planning groups and partners in advance and posting them within a lesson would work best. It may even make sense to plan groups for an extended period of time as you would plan groups with seating arrangements. This will allow students to get to know each other on a deep level during that time.

Good Sticky Notes

Teach Communication Expectations

I showed a sample slide that introduced how I wanted students to communicate with each other within a given collaborative structure. Students need to see examples, learn how, and practice communicating in a scholarly way. This is the opportunity every English teacher has been waiting for, to teach kids how to message one another using appropriate language usage.

Reach out to us on social media, in the comments, or by email with comments or suggestions. Links are all below. #NearJam

Read more: The Benefits of Nearpod. Using Nearpod for Math Using Draw It Slides for Math. Create a DonorsChoose Project for a Nearpod Subscription