Perusall

Perusall is a web-based social annotation platform designed for higher education to enhance reading and discussion. It lets students annotate digital texts with highlights, notes, questions, and replies, turning assigned readings into a collaborative conversation. Instructors assign readings, set due dates, and monitor student engagement through the platform.

Texts can be imported as PDFs or linked web content, and annotations are organized into threaded discussions anchored to specific passages. Students can respond to peers, ask clarifying questions, and tag or search annotations. Instructors access analytics dashboards that summarize participation, time spent on readings, and overall engagement, with data that can be exported for grading and reporting. Perusall also integrates with common learning management systems to streamline enrollment and assignment synchronization.

Perusall has been adopted across multiple disciplines in higher education to promote active reading, improve comprehension, and support formative assessment. It emphasizes asynchronous collaboration and scalable feedback. Institutions typically provide access through campus licenses or subscriptions, and educators assess student engagement alongside traditional assessments.