What is Pear Deck?

What is Pear Deck?

Pear Deck is a technology tool that allows teachers to create interactive lessons using Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint. It is an extension that can be downloaded on any computer. Its main purpose is to make traditional slide presentations more engaging by allowing students to actively participate in real-time, whether in the classroom or learning remotely.

Pear Deck works with Google Slides or Microsoft

The application works with Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint, two of the most commonly used presentation tools which can be accessed by computers of all brands. Teachers can use the Pear Deck add-on to turn their existing slide presentations into interactive lessons without having to start from scratch. They can add questions, polls, or other activities to their slides, allowing students to engage with the material in new ways.

Works with Learning Management Systems

Integrating with tools such as Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Canvas, Schoology, and PowerSchool, Pear Deck makes it easy for educators to assign work and track individual students' progress. Teachers can export student responses and use data to see how students are improving over time. These insights help teachers adjust their teaching strategies to better meet students' needs and lesson objectives.

 Students Can Participate in Real-Time

One of Pear Deck’s main benefit is its ability to get students involved during the lesson. As the teacher presents the slides, students can respond to questions, polls, or activities on their own devices, like laptops or tablets. These responses are sent directly to the teacher, who can view them live and get a sense of how well the students understand the material. This encourages active learning and helps keep students engaged.  

Instant Feedback and Assessment

Pear Deck is also a great tool for formative assessment, meaning that teachers can assess student understanding throughout the lesson. Teachers can see how students respond to questions and even share anonymous responses with the class. This helps the teacher identify misunderstandings and adjust the lesson as needed. After the lesson, teachers can easily review responses and follow up on areas where students may need more help. 

Flexibility for Different Learning Models

Flexibility is one of the benefits Pear Deck offers educators since it works well in a variety of learning environments. In traditional classrooms, it encourages interaction and participation. For remote or hybrid learning, Pear Deck has a "Student-Paced Mode," where students can work through the lesson at their own pace. This flexibility helps cater to different learning styles and classroom setups. 

Inclusive and Customizable Features 

Pear Deck is designed to be inclusive and adaptable to different student needs. Teachers can add audio instructions to slides, which can help students who may struggle with reading or need extra support. Teachers can also create different activities for various student groups to make sure everyone can participate, regardless of their abilities.

 Privacy and Security

Pear Deck takes student privacy seriously and follows important data protection laws like FERPA and COPPA. This ensures that student information is safe and secure. Teachers also have control over the lesson, such as locking student screens when needed to keep students focused on the task at hand.

 Should I Use Pear Deck?

Educators should consider experimenting with Pear Deck because it transforms traditional lessons into interactive and engaging experiences that promote active student participation. Its seamless integration with familiar tools like Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint makes it effortless to adopt without steep learning curves. By using Pear Deck, educators can easily create a more dynamic and student-centered learning environment. We would highly recommend it!