Pear Deck helps you join interactive lessons and complete activities online. Teachers use it for live classes and homework style assignments. If you are new to Pear Deck, the steps may look confusing at first. This guide explains everything in a clear and simple way.
You will learn:
- How you can join a Pear Deck session as a student
- What to do if the join code does not work
- How teachers can create a Pear Deck assignment
- How to share, review, and close an assignment
How You Can Join a Pear Deck Session
Joining a Pear Deck session only takes a few minutes. You just need a code from your teacher.
Step 1: Open the Join Page
Open any web browser on your device.
Type joinpd.com in the address bar and press Enter.
You may also type peardeck.com/join, but it usually redirects you to the same page. Using joinpd.com is faster.
Step 2: Enter the Session Code
Your teacher will give you a 5 letter code, such as abcde.
Type the code exactly as provided into the box on the screen. Make sure there are no extra spaces.
Step 3: Sign In to Your School Account
Pear Deck may ask you to sign in.
Use your school Google or Microsoft account.
Do not use a personal email account.
Once you sign in, the session will open automatically.
Step 4: View the Slides
After you join, you will see the presentation slides on your screen.
You can follow along, answer questions, and interact with the lesson as your teacher designed it.
What to Do If You Cannot Join the Session
If you face problems while joining, try these quick checks.
- Confirm the code with your teacher. Codes stop working after the session ends
- Check that you typed the code correctly
- Log out of personal email accounts and sign in only with your school account
- Refresh the page and try again
Most join issues happen because of expired codes or wrong accounts.
How Teachers Can Create a Pear Deck Assignment
Teachers can create assignments that students complete on their own time. Pear Deck calls this Student Paced Mode.
Below is the step by step process.
Step 1: Create Your Slides
Open Google Slides or PowerPoint Online.
Next, open the Pear Deck tool.
For Google Slides:
- Click Extensions
- Select Pear Deck for Google Slides
- Click Open Pear Deck Add on
For PowerPoint:
- Click the Home tab
- Click the Pear Deck icon
- Install the add in if needed
Now use the sidebar to add interactive questions such as multiple choice, text response, or drawing.
Step 2: Turn the Lesson into an Assignment
This step is very important.
Do not click Present in Google Slides.
Instead:
- Click the green Start Lesson button in the Pear Deck sidebar
- Choose Student Paced Activity
If you accidentally choose Instructor Paced mode:
- Click the three dots in the bottom right corner
- Select Turn on Student Paced
This allows students to complete the work anytime.
Step 3: Share the Assignment with Students
Once Student Paced mode starts:
- You will see a join link like joinpd.com/abcde
- Copy this link
Post the link in Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, or email it to students.
You can close the tab. The assignment stays open until you end it.
Step 4: Review Student Responses
To check student work:
- Go to peardeck.com
- Log in as a teacher
- Click the Sessions tab
Find your session and click the Teacher Dashboard icon.
You can see who joined and read student answers during or after completion.
How You Can Collect and Close the Assignment
When the deadline passes:
- Go to the Sessions tab
- Click End Session
This locks the assignment so students can no longer submit responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where do you enter the Pear Deck join code?
You enter the code at joinpd.com using any web browser.
2. Why is the Pear Deck code not working?
The code may be expired, typed incorrectly, or linked to a session that already ended.
3. Can you join Pear Deck without signing in?
No. You must sign in using your school Google or Microsoft account.
4. What is the difference between Instructor Paced and Student Paced?
Instructor Paced runs live with the teacher. Student Paced lets students work on their own time.
5. Can students join a Pear Deck session late?
Yes. Students can join anytime while the session is still active.
6. Do assignments close automatically?
No. Teachers must manually end the session to stop submissions.
