Summer Camp’s Not Just for Kids: Nearpod Launches Camp Engage, a First-of-its-Kind Virtual Professional Learning for Educators

Nearpod, the most comprehensive Student Engagement Platform for K-12 teachers, has launched Camp Engage, a virtual professional development summer camp program for educators. The free four-week program, which kicked off July 8 and runs through August 2 covers ways to engage students and provide equitable learning in a culturally-inclusive school. So far, the camp has drawn in more than 4,000 participants. Beyond the opportunity to prepare for the new school year, all participants will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a $1,000 classroom makeover.

Camp Engage is a first-of-its-kind virtual summer camp and professional development program that creates a space for educators to collaborate, learn and engage at their own pace as they prepare for the year ahead. Each week focuses on a different topic, such as ways to incorporate culturally responsive teaching practices and provides participants with takeaway content that can be digitally accessed afterward. Not only are teachers learning new instructional approaches and practices, they are also learning about the best ways to leverage the relevant content and features from Nearpod and Flocabulary in their classrooms.

“We understand how difficult it can be for teachers to navigate the quickly changing landscape in education,” explained Jennie Kristoffersen, Chief Academic Officer of Nearpod. “Our team is committed to giving educators a compass to help their navigation by providing them with the strategies they need to create culturally inclusive and immersive classrooms for 21st-century learners.”

To celebrate teachers and the work they do with students, the final week of camp will feature a grand prize drawing to give one lucky camper a classroom makeover worth $1,000. Additionally, all campers will be eligible for other weekly prizes to help them get their classrooms and schools ready for back-to-school. 

In addition to the lessons and activities, participants in the program can engage with each other in the Camp Engage “Campsite” on Facebook, collaborating and sharing ideas as they work through the lessons together. Within the group, learning goes beyond the lessons, as teachers share in both traditional professional learning tactics, such as thoughtful discussion as well as more unorthodox, engagement-based learning such as song writing, meme-creation and more. Campers have interacted on the Campsite more than 12,000 times thus far.  

“I use Nearpod to cultivate an environment of shared learning. In order to move forward, we all have to take part in the discussions, check for understanding and work collaboratively to gain knowledge and apply it effectively,” shared camper Monica Alcaraz, a 6th and 7th-grade ELAR teacher in Texas. “Camp Engage is the perfect space to do just that and ensure we are all prepared to provide the best learning experience for our students in the upcoming school year.” 

Nearpod is hosting two separate tracks, one for teachers and another for administrators. The administrator track features presentations and discussions on:

• Week 1: Lead by Example
• Week 2: School Climate/Morale/Culture
• Week 3: Equitable Access to Technology and Content    
• Week 4: Standards-Based Instruction

Nearpod is dedicated to providing educators with practical tools for the classroom to increase student engagement and achievement. On the teacher track, campers are given the option to complete weekly Nearpod lessons to reflect on the week’s content and can also opt into attending a gamification webinar, as well as one focused on tips and tricks for presenting with Nearpod.

The teacher track features lessons and discussions on:

• Week 1: Student Choice & Voice
• Week 2: Authentic Engagement
• Week 3: Culturally Responsive Classrooms
• Week 4: 21st Century Learning

Every camper will receive a certificate of completion with hours being credited to each week’s completed activities, and districts may choose to honor them as professional development credit hours. Nearpod encourages all educators and education leaders to register for Camp Engage for the latest insights to activate student engagement, regardless of whether they’re Nearpod or Flocabulary users. 

For more information or to register for Camp Engage, click here.

About Nearpod
Nearpod, named EdTech Digest’s Company of the Year in 2018, is the most comprehensive Student Engagement Platform for K-12 teachers. Nearpod works with any classroom technology from tablets and smartphones to laptops and Chromebooks to help engage students with activities such as Virtual Reality, PhET and Desmos, and with more than 7,000 ready-to-run lessons created in partnership with leading brands like Common Sense Education and the Pulitzer Center. Nearpod recently acquired Flocabulary, a learning platform that helps students thrive by bringing the K-12 curriculum to life through hip-hop. Beyond classroom instruction, the company revitalizes teacher development through Teacher Professional Learning content that cultivates classroom-changing strategies for educators. To learn more, visit: nearpod.com.

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