Introduction

Welcome to PebblePad, the personal learning system.  PebblePad incorporates a range of tools to help you plan, record, reflect on and evidence your learning. This may include any development activity, be it formal, educational, work-based, self-directed, personal or professional. The system also supports you in demonstrating your personal and professional capabilities and competencies to others on a formal and informal basis.

There are a number of help movies which take you through the key features of the PebblePad system. A good starting point is to view the following three movies: Introduction to PebblePad, Creating and Editing  assets and Overview pad.

There is no right or wrong way of using PebblePad. It is very much down to your personal preference and choice about how you work with it and what you include in it.

Don't worry about whether what you're writing is detailed enough or exactly right, as you can always go back and modify its contents if you need to.  Be creative and try to use a wide range of the record templates and tools in the system - you can always change things later if you think something is under the wrong heading or in the wrong template.

You can also look at each asset type first to help you choose which one is most appropriate, before writing in it.

If you are new to the system, some of the language may be unfamiliar to you but there is a glossary in this written Help to clarify any new terms. It may take you a little while to get used to finding out all that the system can do.

Navigating around PebblePad

There are only four main menu areas in PebblePad, all accessible from the home screen. These then provide access to submenus.

• Create new - the menu that allows you to build  your ePortfolio content via a range of asset types.

• View - the menu area where all your existing records and uploaded files are saved and managed, and from where information gateways can be accessed. You can also access items other people have shared with you.

• Upload file - the menu that allows you to upload files from your own computer into your ePortfolio

• Tools - the menu area where you can e.g. add your personal details, manage contacts  and change the look of your PebblePad.

Help with PebblePad

In addition to this written, printable help, a number of movies have also been created to assist you in using PebblePad by demonstrating visually key features of the system. During the creation process, you will also find mini Help icons (small question marks) next to text input fields. These are designed to  give you additional tips on what you might want to include in your assets. To view a tip click on the help icon next to a text area.

Privacy and confidentiality of content

The information you store in PebblePad cannot be accessed by anyone as access is protected by your username and password. However you may choose to share items with other people or submit them to a gateway which will allow others to access your item. Please Note: If you share or submit an asset that is linked to other assets the viewer will also be able to view all the linked items.

As you may have entered personal information about yourself into PebblePad please remember that if you are going to be away from your computer for a period of time, you should log out of your account using the logout button in the top right of the screen.