PeppeR

What Can I Use It For?

people sitting down near table with assorted laptop computers

PeppeR is an online discussion tool where students can engage in in-depth inquiry supportive of their efforts to share information, identify key ideas, and progressively work to improve those ideas.

Special Notes

There are currently two versions of PeppeR: the Quercus integration and the stand-alone version. The version available for Quercus integration is distinct from the stand-alone version.  Accounts, content and users are not shared between the two versions.

This Academic Toolbox tool helps you...
Connect & communicate / Teach from a distance
Typical course activity format:
Asynchronous
Quercus integration
Integrated tool

Where can I get more support?

Related resources / similar tools

Cost
Centrally funded

How to Get Started

PeppeR is a web-based collaborative  asynchronous online discussion environment.

How to Use This Tool

PeppeR is the name for an online discussion tool developed by Jim Hewitt and Clare Brett of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).  The tool is a collaborative workspace where students can engage in in-depth inquiry supportive of their efforts to share information, identify key ideas, and progressively work to improve those ideas.

Instructors using PeppeR are encouraged to enable the PeppeR integration tool in their Quercus courses.

The PeppeR app is already installed. The link simply needs to be made visible to students by following the instruction steps.

Instructions

  • Add PeppeR Registration Link for Students

    Add PeppeR Registration Link for Students

    1. Add a link to PeppeR device registration in your course menu, by following these steps:
    2. In your course menu, click “Settings.”
    3. Click on the Navigation” 
    4. Drag “PeppeR registration” up from the list of hidden navigation items to the list of visible navigation items in the top half of this list.
    5. Save your change.
    6. After PeppeR is added to the course menu, students will be able to access this discussion tool. It will launch as a separate tab, outside of Quercus, within the browser.

    Important note:
    PeppeR may also be added as an Assignment within a Module.  In this instance, PeppeR will display within the Quercus interface.

  • Discussions

    Discussions are organized into folders, such as week, unit, topic, group, etc.

    Discussions consist of Notes.  Authors enter a Title and provide their content using text, images, voice recordings, YouTube or multimedia options. Files may also be attached. Notes are posted publicly by default.

    New Notes can also be posted as Private for later editing.

    Replies to existing Notes can be designated as Private and viewed only by the recipient.

    Notes within a folder can be viewed as individual notes, or as a Thread.

    The option to Pop a Note allows you to review content while keeping one specific Note highlighted.

    The option Readers lists the names of people who have read a Note and when.

Guides

Videos

  • An introduction to Pepper

  • Adding PeppeR to your Quercus Course Navigation Menu

  • Fostering Group Discussions with PeppeR - 2021

Last Modified:

7 August, 2024

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