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Getting to know PebblePad

This page provides more detail on some of PebblePad's unique tools which are in use across the University

PebblePad helps users to create, compile and present a purposeful collections of information and digitalised artefacts which demonstrate growth as well as any evidence-based matches for all types of learning outcomes, skills or competencies.

PebblePad has been developed by PebblePad, a company originating in a University context with a focus on assessment of e-portfolio-related artefacts. As a system, PebblePad follows a user-centred approach which supports the creation of personal tutoring spaces in which students can collect and share evidence of progress with their tutors.

Here are the main advantages offered by the platform:

  • Personalised feedback: It is possible to provide personalised feedback that engages students and improves performance and retention.
  • Versatility: PebblePad supports many different types of online interactions between students and tutors so that assessment and feedback processes can be built as a two-way dialogue in which students can also reply to their tutor's feedback.
  • Flexibility: Students can record evidence of learning in different digital formats and can easily shared that evidence with peers and tutors.
  • Creativity: PebblePad supports different types of assessment, including multimedia assessment, in addition to the traditional assessment methods based on written essays.

How PebblePad works

PebblePad consists of two components:

  • Pebble+
  • ATLAS

Pebble+ can be described as an online personal learning space where users can create different types of digital artefacts (e.g. blogs, files, webfolios, etc.) or decide to group these artefacts into collections to be shared with peers and tutors.

ATLAS is an online space used to manage institutional assessment of artefacts submitted by learners. Tutors can use ATLAS to design assessment workflows where they can assess and provide feedback for the collections of artefacts submitted by their students.

ATLAS can also be used to collect feedback on custom resources created for students (templates and workbooks). Such resources can be expanded dynamically by releasing new elements for students gradually (e.g. weekly blogging, etc.). Any changes made to the submissions by students are automatically updated up until the set deadline(s). 

Who is already using PebblePad?

PebblePad is used across different schools and programmes. Some of our main users are:

  • Business School
  • Careers Service
  • Centre for Open Learning
  • Medical School
  • School of Biological sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Law
  • Student-Led Individually-Created Courses (SLICCs)
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies 

Interested? 

Visit the  "Help and support" section for more information on how to start using PebblePad.

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