Getting Started with App PearDeck Join for Interactive Learning

App PearDeck Join is a powerful presentation and learning platform built to actively engage students. With interactive features like draggable images, drawing tools, multiple choice and open-ended questions, PearDeck takes presentations beyond static slides.

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Educators can create engaging lessons, deliver them directly through various learning management systems, and receive instant insight into student understanding. This allows teachers to provide timely feedback and foster classroom collaboration.

This guide will walk you through the basics of using PearDeck Join to enhance instruction and active learning.

Introduction

PearDeck offers a fresh way for teachers to present material and check for student understanding. Built around common education technology systems like Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint, PearDeck makes it simple to create interactive presentations.

Once created, teachers can deliver PearDecks through Google Classroom, Canvas, Microsoft Teams and other learning platforms. The presentations become two-way conversations, where students can answer questions, draw diagrams, take notes and more.

Creating a PearDeck Account

To use PearDeck you first need to create an account:

Step#1. Go to Peardeck.com and click “Sign Up”

Step#2. Choose to sign up either with Google or Microsoft

Step#3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete signup with your existing Google or Microsoft account credentials.

Signing up with Google or Microsoft allows easy integration with those platforms. However, you can also sign up with an email and password if preferred.

Converting Presentations into PearDecks

Starting from an existing presentation makes creating your first PearDeck Join fast and easy. There are a few different ways convert a slide deck into an interactive PearDeck:

Google Slides

Install the PearDeck add-on:

Step#1. Open Google Slides

Step#2. Select “Add-ons” then “Get Add-ons”

Step#3. Search for and install the “PearDeck” add-on

Step#4. Access PearDeck features through add-on menu

Microsoft PowerPoint

Install the PearDeck plug-in:

Step#1. Open Microsoft PowerPoint

Step#2. Select the “Store” button to access the Office Store

Step#3. Search for and install “PearDeck for PowerPoint” plug-in

Step#4. Access PearDeck features through new tab in PowerPoint ribbon

Upload Existing Presentations

You can also upload PPT, PPTX or PDF files directly in PearDeck:

Step#1. Click “Create” then select “Upload Presentation”

Step#2. Choose file and upload to PearDeck

Step#3. Edit and add interactive elements

PearDeck Presentation Features

Once your presentation is uploaded/integrated into PearDeck, you can add:

Interactive Activities

• Multiple Choice
• Numeric Input
• Free Response
• Draggable Images
• Clickable Images
• Drawing Tools

Presentation Tools

• Highlighter
• Pointer
• Tickers
• Notepad
• Screenshot

Classroom Tools

• Takeback
• Pace
• Highlights
• Follow Me

These interactive features encourage active learning and make it easy to gauge student understanding.

Starting a Presentation Session

To present a PearDeck to your class:

Step#1. Open your PearDeck

Step#2. Click “Start Lesson”

Step#3. A join code will be generated

Step#4. Provide the join code to your students

Students enter the join code at joinpd.com to follow along on their devices.

The presentation will sync across all connected devices in real time. This allows the whole class to interact with slides together.

Integrating PearDeck Join with LMS Platforms

Beyond join codes, you can integrate PearDeck with:

• Google Classroom: Add PearDeck to Google Classroom like any other Google file. Students can then open and engage right within Classroom.
• Canvas: Install and enable the PearDeck app through Canvas. Then open any PearDeck to have it load directly in the Canvas content frame.
• Microsoft Teams: Add the PearDeck for Teams app. Sign is with your Microsoft creds. Then open Teams, create a new tab, select PearDeck and pick your presentation.

Streamlining access through existing learning platforms makes PearDeck incredibly easy to implement for both teachers and students.

Monitoring Student Responses

A key benefit of PearDeck over traditional presentations is the ability to see and track student responses in real time.

As students answer interactive questions, teachers can monitor responses. View student replies as they are submitted, or wait and review a summary chart after the fact.

For multiple choice and other basic interactions, an aggregated report is generated to show overall class understanding. Free response questions allow drilling down into individual replies.

Conclusion

With robust presentation features, easy LMS integration, and instant student feedback, PearDeck Join unlocks instructional possibilities beyond standard slide shows.

This guide reviewed the essentials for getting started with PearDeck. From account creation, to converting existing decks, launching presentations, and tracking student responses, you now have the fundamentals to kickstart active and engaging digital lessons.

The only step left is to tap into your creativity, leverage the interactive tools, and watch as PearDeck Join reimagines your students’ learning experience!

Quick Reference Table

Action	How To Guide
Sign Up	Visit Peardeck.com and click “Sign Up”
Create Account	Sign up with Google or Microsoft account
Convert to PearDeck	Google Slides: Install add-on <br> PowerPoint: Install plug-in <br> Upload file to PearDeck
Add Interactions	Select from Interactive Activities, Presentation Tools or Classroom Tools
Start Presentation	Click “Start Lesson” to generate join code
Share with Students	Provide join code for students to enter at joinpd.com
Integrate (LMS)	Install Apps for Google Classroom <br> Enable App in Canvas <br> Add Teams App
Monitor Responses	Review student replies in real-time or summary reports