Classroom Blog and Website Creation Tools

Lesson Idea Name: NearPod Claims

Content Area: ELA
Grade Level(s): 8th
Content Standard Addressed:
ELAGSE8W1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
Technology Standard Addressed:
6: Computational Thinker: Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a
variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to
their goals.
Selected Technology Tool:
x☐x Blog ☐ Wiki ☐ Other: Website Creation Tool (list):

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): mso7th.weebly.com

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☐ Remembering ☐ Understanding x☐x Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating x☐x
Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☐ Level 4: Integration
x☐x Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

Engagement: All students will have access to devices with Nearpod installed in class.
Representation: Students are more engaged on higher learning levels by creating a project that is published
for others to use. The audio file is good for those who don’t like or are not good at reading.
Action and Expression: Students can choose whatever claim they want to make which allows them to have
more freedom over what they are expressing. This demonstrates how they can use standards in the real
world.
Lesson idea implementation: Students will listen to an audio file for this lesson. It will include an example of
how to do the assignment. Students will consider an unpopular opinion that that have and support it with
relevant evidence and reasons. They will create a Nearpod lesson of their own that “teaches” their claim.
Their Nearpod should include:
Claim
Reason supporting your claim
Counter argument (against your claim)
Reason to not support the counter argument

The example given was “I don’t like the beach as a vacation spot” with the reason “I don’t like sand getting all
over my stuff”. The counter argument is that swimming in the ocean is fun, but my reason against that is that
the saltwater dries my skin out.

Nearpod lessons need to be engaging and require audience participation at least once. Include pictures and
colors to make it look interesting. The final project differentiates learning because students were able to
choose whatever claim they wanted to make, so supporting it should be easy. The teacher will complete the
students Nearpod lessons to assess them.

Summer 2017_SJB
 Classroom Blog and Website Creation Tools

Importance of technology: Using Nearpod rather than a plain paper response requires more creativity from
their brains, which means it is getting more exercise this way. Many students learn by doing and creating, and
they often like presenting information in a “teaching” like manner. The creation of a lesson that could be used
by others enhances the learning experience for the students.

Inspiration (optional): N/A

Internet Safety and Student Privacy: Students should not share their personal information online. They
should not share their project outside of the Nearpod forum. Permission slips from parents need to be
obtained before students can use the internet. Make sure all sites being used are approved by the school.
Monitor students when they are online.

Reflective Practice: Student learning is on a deep level when they are trying to explain reasons for a claim
they actually care about. By tying the lesson into their personal beliefs, we bridge student interest and
learning together to reach high achievement. Without the creation of a technology tool it is harder to reach a
complete understanding of the content. To expand this lesson, students could complete each other’s
Nearpod activities, or use them to study.

Summer 2017_SJB