AI Tools for Teachers: Pear Deck – Make Lessons Interactive and Engaging


 

AI Tools for Teachers: Pear Deck – Make Lessons Interactive and Engaging

Today in the AI Tools for Teachers series, we’re featuring Pear Deck, a powerful tool that transforms your slide presentations into interactive learning experiences. Pear Deck helps teachers engage every student through live questions, polls, and discussions, whether in-person or remote.

What is Pear Deck?

Pear Deck is an add-on for Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint that allows teachers to embed interactive elements into their presentations. Students can join live sessions on their devices to respond to questions, participate in polls, and collaborate in real-time.

How Can Teachers Use Pear Deck?

Here are practical ways to integrate Pear Deck into your classroom:

  1. Engage Every Student

    • Use live questions and polls to involve all students, not just the vocal ones.
    • Example: Pose a quick check-in question like, “How are you feeling about today’s topic?”

  2. Check for Understanding

    • Add formative assessment questions throughout your lesson.
    • Example: After explaining a concept, ask a multiple-choice question to see if students grasped it.

  3. Foster Collaboration

    • Use open-ended questions to spark group discussions and creativity.
    • Example: Ask students to brainstorm solutions to a real-world problem and display their responses on the screen.

  4. Provide Anonymous Participation

    • Allow students to respond anonymously to encourage honest input.
    • Example: Use an anonymous poll to gauge how comfortable students feel about an upcoming test.

  5. Interactive Warm-Ups and Exit Tickets

    • Begin or end lessons with quick, interactive activities.
    • Example: Start with a “draw what you know” activity or end with a reflective question about the day’s learning.

  6. Support Remote or Hybrid Learning

    • Host live sessions for remote students or assign Pear Deck lessons for self-paced learning.
    • Example: Share a self-paced math review for students to complete at their convenience.

Steps for Using Pear Deck in the Classroom

  1. Install the Add-On: Add Pear Deck to Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint.
  2. Create a Deck: Design your slides and add interactive elements like multiple-choice questions, drawings, or draggable items.
  3. Launch the Lesson: Share the session code with students so they can join on their devices.
  4. Facilitate Interaction: Guide students through the slides and view their responses in real time.
  5. Review Insights: Analyze the session data to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Tips for Success

  • Prepare Ahead: Design slides with interactive questions aligned to your objectives.
  • Encourage Participation: Remind students that there are no “wrong” answers in brainstorming or warm-up activities.
  • Use Self-Paced Mode: Assign self-paced lessons for review or homework.

Challenges and Solutions

  • Student Disengagement: Some students might not participate fully.
    • Solution: Use a mix of question types and involve students in reviewing class responses.
  • Tech Requirements: Not all students may have access to devices.
    • Solution: Pair students or adapt activities for a shared screen experience.

Why Use Pear Deck?

Pear Deck creates an inclusive and interactive learning environment where every student’s voice matters. Its flexibility and real-time feedback make lessons engaging and meaningful for all learners.

Stay tuned for the next AI Tools for Teachers post, where we’ll explore another impactful tool for enhancing your teaching strategies!

#AIForTeachers #EdTech #InteractiveLearning


Labels: