Top Hat vs Nearpod

Nearpod and Top Hat are both classroom tools that allow educators to make interactive and engaging lessons in which students can actively participate and learn. In both programs, teachers can choose from a library of lessons, or they can create their own by uploading Google Slides or Power Point slides. They can then add other slides in which students can be assessed in real time. These assessments can come in the form of multiple choice questions, polls, drawings, or discussions. This allows the teacher to monitor progress and understanding of the content. To begin a lesson, a code is generated in which the teacher shares with the class. The teacher can see when students are logged in and ready. The teacher is in control of the progress of the lesson by advancing slides and leading discussions. The students follow along on their own device and participate throughout the lesson. Formal assessments can also be given, and grades can then be exported into a grade book. Although both tools are similar, there are also some differences as indicated in the table below.

Top Hat
Nearpod
$24/4 mos; $36/12 mos; $72/5 yr
$12/mo
Students join session by logging in with generated code; Lessons sync with all devices
Students join session by logging in with generated code; Lessons sync with all devices
Displays leader board during session
Student answers can be displayed by the teacher
Multiple device capabilities
Works on any device; teacher needs an iPad
Discussion tool with anonymous discussion
Collaboration tool with discussion
Real-time assessments
Real-time assessments
 Grades can be exported to LMS
Gradebook integrated with Canvas
Tests can be given; if the students navigate away from the test, they will be locked out and will only be allowed back in if the teacher unlocks the test for them
Quizzes can be given as well as non-formative assessments such as drawing and discussions
Top Hat Textbook available with customizable content; Lessons also are available
Lessons available for free or purchase
Video content can be added to the presentation
Students can take virtual field trips
Review and homework assignments can be completed outside of class
A homework code allows students to work on assignments from home
Attendance is taken when students log in
Students log in and type in their names

One factor that might determine which tool educators use is the price. Although Nearpod is free to use, that use is very limited. To gain access to all of its capabilities, one would have to pay a fee. The fee for Nearpod is substantially more that Top Hat. Another difference is the anonymous discussion of Top Hat which may make a student more likely to participate without the embarrassment of being wrong. One other difference is the safeguard Top Hat puts on test-taking. If a student leaves a test, the test is locked until the teacher unlocks it. Top Hat also has the textbook feature. This could possibly save money systems would spend on text books. A positive feature of Nearpod is the capability of virtual field trips. This would give students access to experiences they wouldn't get to have from simply reading a text book.




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