A growing number of Berkeley teachers are making use of our district-wide license to Pear Deck, an interactive presentation software. Teachers create slideshows with different kinds of interactive questions (multiple choice, short answer, number, drawing, and draggable) for students to share ideas and interact with the content being taught. Teachers project the presentation and students log into the session using Chromebooks.
Screenshots from King’s Equity Presentation
After attending a session on Pear Deck during the November 3rd Professional Development Day, King Middle’s Equity Teacher Leaders, Jacqui Alvarado and Susie Kossa-Rienzi, shared what they learned with the entire faculty at King. They presented on Pear Deck and used it during their recent equity presentation at a Wednesday afternoon faculty meeting. Susie and Jacqui showcased the different ways that participants can respond by asking questions about the equity work at King. The presentation highlighted how this software can be used in support of the equity teaching strategies–in particular, opt in (giving all students an opportunity to respond) and multiple perspectives (enabling students to share their unique voices and learn from their peers).
Victoria Edwards and Christopher Travlos are using Pear Deck in an 8th grade ELA class at King.
Since that meeting, more teachers at King are using Pear Deck in their classrooms.
– Mia Gittlen, K-8 Instructional Technology TSA