Learners will need a desktop or laptop computer in order to access the Google Maps website.

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Pear Deck
Google Maps

We will use two tools during class:

1. Google Maps website (https://maps.google.com/) 

We will be using Google Maps primarily from either a laptop or desktop computer. Students may also choose to use a phone or tablet, but the class will be primarily centered around the website. We will be using Google Maps to find specific locations such as landmarks and local (local to each student) entities such as grocery stores, libraries, schools, etc. We will NOT be sharing personal addresses or any other personal information in class. An account is not required to use Google Maps.

2. Pear Deck

During class learners will use a digital engagement tool called Pear Deck. Pear Deck is an educational software that can make ordinary Google Slides interactive and fun! It is a great tool to keep learners of all ages engaged and focused. With the Pear Deck slides learners will be able to use a drawing tool to draw on the screen, a drag-and-drop feature, answer choice questions, and answer questions by typing text. About 30 minutes before each class begins, I will post a link and instructions to the Pear Deck slides in the Classroom discussion thread. You do not need a Pear Deck account to use the slides. A minute or two before class begins, you may simply click the link to access the slides. Once you click the link, you will see a page with three emoji faces (green, yellow, and red) with the question "How are you feeling today?" You may click on any emoji face or you may click "Skip" at the bottom of the page. Now you will be on the first page of the slides. You will not be able to progress to the next slide since I will control the progression. Each student will have their own copy of the interactive slides and will not be able to see others' responses unless I screenshare. There are several options for viewing both your Zoom window (for the Outschool class) and the Pear Deck window simultaneously.  

Option 1:  You may access Zoom on your computer and the Pear Deck slides on a separate device (e.g., phone, tablet, another laptop).  Or, vice versa, you may access the Pear Deck slides on your computer and Zoom on a separate device (e.g., phone, tablet, another laptop).  

Option 2:  If you are using a single monitor on your computer, you may Restore (make smaller) both the Zoom and the Pear Deck windows.  Then arrange them (change their sizes) on the screen such that you can see both windows on your monitor.  If you have trouble Restoring the Zoom window, make sure that you are not in the full-screen mode.  To exit full-screen mode on a PC (not a Mac), click the Exit Full Screen rectangle in the top-right corner of your Zoom window.  To exit full-screen mode on a Mac (not a PC), click the green dot in the top-left corner of your Zoom window.

Option 3:  If you are using dual monitors on your computer, you may drag either the Zoom or Pear Deck window to one monitor and the other application to the other monitor.