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.
Most tools in the Academic Toolbox can assist in both online and face-to-face courses. Many tools can provide benefits in either synchronous or asynchronous teaching. Some tools have been primarily designed for one format or another (synchronous/asynchronous), however, may be adapted for any format depending on your pedagogical goals.
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
Add a link to PeppeR device registration in your course menu, by following these steps:
In your course menu, click “Settings.”
Click on the “Navigation”
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.
Save your change.
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.