What is Perusall?

Perusall is a free browser-based software platform for interactive learning. Students help each other learn by collectively annotating readings in threads, responding to each other’s comments, and interacting. Perusall can bring the interactivity of a small seminar to a larger course.

Why are we using Perusall?

Some of our Data Science Workshops are being taught using a “flipped classroom” model — this is where lecture-based material is delivered online, asyncronously, so that it can be digested at your own pace, which provides more time for Q&A discussion during in-class time.

Prior to our Zoom-based one-hour Q&A session, there will be a two week self-study period during which you can work through the workshop materials at your own pace. We are using Persuall as a means to facilitate greater engagement with the workshop materials during this self-study period. With Perusall, you will be able to post questions and comments about parts of the materials you do not understand or problems you encounter. Instructors can answer your questions and comments, but you will also have the opportunity to reply to questions and comments from other participants. In this way, Perusall facilitates peer-to-peer and peer-to-instructor learning.

Your successful completion of the workshop will be based on making a contribution, via questions and comments, during this self-study period.