Four assignments into social reading and annotation with Persuall and I impressed. Most importantly, the pupils seem to be enjoying their social reading experience and appear to have a deeper understanding of the text as a result.
Getting Started
Set up was relatively straightforward with pupils joining the group via a code. The knowledge base more than covers any questions or queries.
Adding the text (Romeo and Juliet) and assigning extracts to read – easy enough. Once the extract was assigned, I could very quickly annotate the extract to direct pupils attention and pose questions.
In the example below, I asked the pupils to think about the exchange of insults between Romeo and Friar – with an extra layer of thinking asking who was right and why?
It has taken a couple of assignments, but pupils are now extending their comments, engaging with one another and even starting to direct their comments using @name. Simply – Persuall is working.
Analytics and Insights
There is more data than I have time to report. The annotation heat map showing when pupils are working was interesting. The summary, attached to the assignment, is very helpful.
I can see that the average reading time is increasing, engagement is deepening, we are seeing more comments (hence grades scores are increasing) – there are pupils who need to be held to account.
As yet I have not been able to access the “Confusion” report as the group is small and we have not yet offered sufficient engagement to release this report.
Gradebook
The gradebook easy to understand and shared with the class.
- 3 = demonstrates exceptionally thoughtful and thorough reading of the entire assignment
- 2 = demonstrates thoughtful and thorough reading of the entire assignment
- 1 = demonstrates superficial reading of the entire assignment OR thoughtful reading of only part of the assignment
- 0 = demonstrates superficial reading of only part of the assignment
The 0-3 scoring simple and effective. Perusall’s evaluates the annotations and applies the 0-3 scoring system for you. These can be adjusted by you teacher if required.
What adds value to a pupils score?
Thoughtful questions or comments that stimulate discussion or thoughtful and helpful answers to other pupil’s questions will earn you a higher score. Failing to annotate the entire assignment or engage with other pupils comments will result in a lower score. It is more quality than quantity – and that resonates with my teaching philosophy.
So far – impressed. As yet, I have not mixed the content (text, video, audio and images). I am sticking with reading the text. But it is not hard to see Persuall being using to explore an image in Geography or History or Art, or a speech or piece of music.