how to use perusall

3 min read 19-01-2025

Perusall is a collaborative annotation tool designed to enhance learning and engagement with assigned readings. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to effectively use Perusall, from initial setup to maximizing its features. Whether you're a student or instructor, this guide will help you unlock Perusall's full potential.

Getting Started with Perusall

1. Accessing Perusall:

For Students: Your instructor will provide you with a course code or a direct link to the Perusall assignment. Clicking this link will take you to the assignment page. You may need to create a Perusall account (using your university email if required).
For Instructors: After integrating Perusall with your Learning Management System (LMS) like Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle, you upload your reading materials. Perusall supports various file formats, including PDFs and Word documents. You'll then set assignment parameters (e.g., due date, annotation requirements).

2. Navigating the Perusall Interface:

The Perusall interface is designed for intuitive navigation. The main elements you'll encounter include:

The Text: The document you're annotating will be displayed centrally.
Annotation Tools: These tools allow you to highlight text, add comments, ask questions, and respond to others' annotations. You'll find options for different highlight colors, comment types and the ability to tag specific classmates.
Activity Feed: This displays a real-time feed of annotations and comments made by other users. This fosters a dynamic and interactive learning experience.
Your Progress Bar: Tracks your completion percentage for the assigned reading. This helps you manage your workload.
Grading Rubric (for instructors): Instructors can create a rubric that details grading criteria. This allows for consistent and fair evaluation of student contributions.

Effective Annotation Strategies in Perusall

Highlighting and Commenting:

Effective highlighting and commenting are key to getting the most out of Perusall. Don't just highlight everything; focus on key concepts, confusing passages, or points you want to discuss. Your comments should be thoughtful and insightful, adding value to the discussion. Remember to support your comments with evidence from the text.

Highlighting: Use different colors to categorize your highlights. For example, yellow for main ideas, pink for questions, and blue for supporting evidence.
Commenting: Ask clarifying questions, offer counterarguments, or relate the reading to your own experiences. Engage with others' comments respectfully and constructively.

Responding to Others' Annotations:

Engaging with classmates' annotations transforms Perusall from a solo reading experience into a collaborative learning environment. Respond to comments that pique your interest or challenge your understanding. A robust discussion among your peers will improve everyone's comprehension of the material.

Utilizing Perusall's Features:

@Mentions: Use @mentions to directly address a classmate in your comment, fostering direct interaction.
Tags: Use tags to categorize annotations (e.g., #keyconcept, #question, #discussion).
Searching: Perusall's search function allows you to quickly find specific keywords or annotations within the document.

Perusall for Instructors: Setting Up and Managing Assignments

Creating Assignments:

Upload your document: Perusall supports various file types, ensuring compatibility with your existing materials.
Set deadlines: Establish clear deadlines to keep students on track.
Customize grading rubrics: Create detailed rubrics to specify the criteria for evaluating student participation.
Review and provide feedback: Use Perusall's tools to review student annotations and provide constructive feedback, enhancing their learning process.

Monitoring Student Progress:

Perusall provides tools that allow instructors to monitor student progress and engagement:

Activity dashboards: These offer a comprehensive view of class participation and progress.
Individual student reports: Analyze individual student performance to identify areas needing improvement.
Automated grading: Perusall can automate some aspects of grading, freeing up your time for more focused feedback.

Troubleshooting Common Perusall Issues

Login problems: Ensure you're using the correct credentials and check your internet connection. Contact your instructor or Perusall support for assistance.
Annotation issues: Refresh the page, clear your browser cache, or try a different browser.
Technical difficulties: Refer to the Perusall help center or contact their support team for technical assistance.

Conclusion

Perusall offers a powerful platform for enhancing reading comprehension and fostering collaborative learning. By mastering its features and employing effective annotation strategies, both students and instructors can unlock its full potential and transform the way they engage with assigned readings. Remember to utilize the resources available, including the Perusall help center and support team, to overcome any challenges and maximize the benefits of this innovative tool.