Manage content in Perusall

Owned by Jacqueline Kort Mascort (Deactivated)
Feb 23, 2024
4 min read

In this article: 

1 Create assignments | 2 Edit assignments and documents | 3 Upload files | 4 Embed video | 5 Synchronize videos | 6 Add comments to videos | 7 Use hashtags | 8 Delete assignments and documents

Create assignments

To add an assignment in Perusall:

  1. Navigate to the Library tab in Perusall and then select Add content.

  2. Upload a file. You can select a file from the McGill library, your own computer, Dropbox, or a web page.

To create an assignment in Perusall:

  1. Navigate to the Library tab in Perusall and then select Add to add a textbook or upload files.

  2. In the Documents panel, select the file and then select Assign. Select one or more sections from the file to assign, set a due date, and configure other options.

Set a name for your assignment or allow Perusall to name it based on the file and page/section range you assign. If you decide to name the assignment, ensure the name is unique, i.e., has not already been used in your course. Perusall merges assignments with the same name in the Perusall gradebook rather than creating separate grade items.

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Edit assignments and documents

To edit an assignment in Perusall:

  1. In the Assignments tab, select the assignment and then select the Edit button.

To edit a document name in Perusall:

  1. In the Library tab, select the document and then select the Edit button.

Perusall does not have PDF editing tools built in, so if you need to edit the uploaded file (e.g., some pages need to be rotated), delete the file from Perusall, make the relevant edits, and then upload a new version.

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Upload files

To upload files from your computer:

  1. Go to the Library tab, select Add Content and then Upload from my computer.

To upload files from Dropbox: 

  1. Go to the Library tab, select Add Content and then Upload from Dropbox.

Uploads are accepted in these file formats:

  • .pdf

  • .epub

  • .docx

  • .xlsx

  • Source code (in most popular coding languages)

Perusall allows for snapshots of web pages to be uploaded. To add a snapshot:

  1. In the Library tab, select Add Content and then Web page.

  2. Enter the URL of the web page and select Ok.

To know more about using the Perusall textbook catalogue at McGill, contact Teaching and Learning Services.

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Embed video

Perusall allows you to add video to complement reading assignments. To add a video:

  1. In the Library tab, select Add Content and then Video. 

  2. Enter the video URL.

These video formats can be embedded:

Video Type

Description

Video Type

Description

YouTube

Enter the YouTube URL. The video must be publicly accessible; Perusall cannot import private videos.

Vimeo

Enter the Vimeo URL.

Google Drive

In Google Drive, right-click on the video and select Get shareable link. Paste the URL into Perusall. The link must be publicly accessible; Perusall cannot import privately shared videos.

Dropbox

In Dropbox, select the video and then select the Share button. In the pop-up, select Create link, and then Copy link. Paste the URL into Perusall.

OneDrive

For instructions on creating a OneDrive link, see: Microsoft | Share files with an anyone link. Paste the link into Perusall.

Video hosted on your server

Provide Perusall with a direct link to the file. Perusall accepts MP4, MPEG, and OGG formats.

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Synchronize videos

Perusall allows you to run two videos simultaneously, such as a video of a lecture along with a slide show. One video is the primary video; the other video is the secondary video. The secondary video will play in a smaller box above the main video.

To run two videos simultaneously:

  1. In the Library tab, select Add Content and then Video.

  2. Enter the primary video URL in the "Video URL" field and the secondary video in the "Secondary Video URL" field. 

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Add comments to videos

To add a comment to a video:

  1. Play the video in Perusall.

  2. Select the Add Comment button to pause the video and add a comment. A blue (instructor) or yellow (student) dot will be added to show there is a comment at the point in the video's timeline where the Comment was added.

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Use hashtags

Use hashtags to characterize and organize annotations. Hashtags can be added to comments in files and posts in group chats.

Create hashtags

To create a hashtag in a comment in Perusall:

  1. Type the hash symbol (#) in your comment and then any word or phrase without spaces -- such as #ImportantComment. Hashtags that already exist will appear in a drop-down list.

Hashtags will be generated by students organically, but you can also use hashtags strategically. For example, ask your students to comment on and tag content in a text, such as:

  • a particular literary device

  • a particular mathematical proof technique

  • a particular type of historical evidence

  • a particular type of scientific experiment

View comments tagged with hashtags

To view comments tagged with a specific hashtag in Perusall:

  1. In the Hashtags list on the left navigation bar, select the hashtag.

Manage hashtags

Hashtags can be hidden from the drop-down suggestions. To manage a hashtag in Perusall:

  1. In the Hashtags list on the left navigation bar, select the hashtag and then select Settings.

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Delete assignments and documents

To delete an assignment in Perusall:

  1. In the Assignments tab, select the assignment and then select the Delete button.

To delete a file in Perusall:

  1. In the Library tab, select the file and then select the Delete button.

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