Case Study: Harvard Medical School boosts student-driven AP Biology instruction with Nearpod

Harvard Medical School uses Nearpod to engage 85 Hinton Scholars with student-driven AP Biology instruction

Harvard Medical School, specifically its AP Biology Hinton Scholars Program, faced the challenge of engaging high school students in an after-school lab setting where instructors had limited insight into the students' prior knowledge and preparation. The program needed a way to quickly assess student understanding and motivation, particularly for visiting classes from Boston Public Schools, to inform effective instruction. They turned to the vendor Nearpod and its interactive platform to bridge this gap.

Using Nearpod, instructors created pre-lab quizzes to gauge students' grasp of key terms and concepts, ensuring they were prepared for hands-on experiments. The solution facilitated student-driven instruction and peer collaboration, grounded in Eric Mazur's Peer Instruction methodology. Nearpod provided immediate insight into student comprehension, allowing tutors to adapt lessons in real time. The platform also served as a classroom management tool, signaling the start of focused work. Results included empowered graduate student tutors who became "powerusers," adapting and sharing Nearpod lessons, and students gained exposure to technology relevant for future STEM and health careers. The program successfully leveraged student-owned devices, with 95% smartphone ownership, for direct educational benefit.

Harvard Medical School