> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.goguardian.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Join a Pear Deck Session

> How students join a live or student-paced GoGuardian Pear Deck session using a Join Code or Join Link

Students join a GoGuardian Pear Deck session in one of two ways: by entering a six-letter Join Code at [joinpd.com](https://joinpd.com) or by clicking a Join Link shared by the teacher. How you sign in (with a school email account or anonymously) depends on the sign-in settings the teacher has configured.

## What You Need before Joining

* A device with a modern web browser
* The six-letter Join Code displayed on your teacher's projector, **or** a Join Link sent by your teacher
* A Google or Microsoft Office 365 school email account (required only if your teacher has turned on email sign-in)

## Join with a Join Code

1. Open a browser and go to [joinpd.com](https://joinpd.com).

2. Enter the six-letter Join Code shown on the projector or shared by your teacher.

3. Click **Join**.

4. If your teacher requires email sign-in, sign in with your Google or Microsoft Office 365 school account when prompted.

5. If your teacher allows anonymous join, you will be assigned an animal avatar and nickname automatically. No sign-in is required.

<Note>
  Join Codes expire after one week. If your teacher gave you a Join Link instead, use that. Join Links are permanent.
</Note>

## Join with a Join Link

1. Click the Join Link your teacher shared (via Google Classroom, email, or another channel).
2. If your teacher requires email sign-in, sign in with your school Google or Microsoft Office 365 account when prompted.
3. If your teacher allows anonymous join, you will be assigned an animal avatar and nickname automatically.

## What Happens after You Join

Once you join, the Student View opens in your browser. From here you can:

* See the slides your teacher is presenting
* Respond to interactive questions directly on your screen
* Move through slides at your own pace if the teacher has enabled Student-Paced Mode

Your responses are saved automatically and visible to your teacher in the Teacher Dashboard.

## Understand Sign-In Options

Your teacher controls how students sign in. There are two options:

**Email sign-in (named join)** Your teacher requires you to sign in with a Google or Microsoft Office 365 school account. Your name appears next to your responses in the Teacher Dashboard. Pear Deck remembers your sign-in on your device. If you rejoin the same session later, you will not need to sign in again unless your browser cookies were cleared.

**Anonymous join** Your teacher does not require a sign-in. You are assigned a random animal avatar and nickname. Your teacher can see your responses but not your name.

## Troubleshoot Join Issues

**I entered the Join Code but the session won't open.** Verify the six-letter code with your teacher. Join Codes are case-insensitive but must be entered exactly as shown. If the session ended more than a week ago, the code may have expired. Ask your teacher to share the permanent Join Link instead.

**I am prompted to sign in with an email account but I want to join without one.** Your teacher has enabled email sign-in. You must sign in with a school Google or Microsoft Office 365 account to join this session. Contact your teacher if you do not have access to a supported account.

**I signed in with the wrong Google account.** Sign out of that Google account in your browser, then click the Join Link or re-enter the Join Code. You will be prompted to sign in again and can select the correct account.

**My screen is locked and I cannot respond.** Your teacher has locked student screens. Wait for your teacher to unlock them before continuing.

**I am blocked from joining because of my email domain.** Your school's Pear Deck administrator has restricted session access to approved email domains. Make sure you are signing in with a school-issued account. Contact your teacher or IT administrator for help.

## Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="How to Present a Pear Deck" href="/products/pear-deck/present-a-session">
    Learn how teachers start a session and share Join Codes or Join Links with students.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Restrict Student Join Access to Certain Domains" href="/products/pear-deck/restrict-student-join-access">
    Understand how administrators limit which email domains can join teacher sessions.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>