Social Bookmarking

The Research Edition

Definition of Social Bookmarking

a platform for users to gather webpages

of interest and then annotate or share

their finds with others

“A free, visual and collaborative library that lets you organize web pages, files, photos, and notes

to retrieve and share them anywhere easily.”

Create a ProfileCreating a basic Pearltrees account is free and begins with creating a username, providing an optional bio, and uploading an image for your profile.

Add Pearls

• Add pearls directly from your profile page, web browsers, mobile apps, or email

• Pearls can be web pages, files, photos, and notes

• Organize pearls into pearltrees, which is similar to cluster mapping.

• Reorganize by dragging and dropping pearltrees or pearls to new locations

• Preview your pearls from your home page • Add comments and view comments from others• A pick means someone shares a common pearl or has picked

your pearl from your pearltree. Click on picks to see other users’ pearltrees on related topics

• Share the pearl on social media or use the embed code, copy the URL, send an email, or connect with another Pearler

• Join Teams to create and moderate pearltrees on common interests

Connect and Share

Connect Facebook and Twitter to Pearltrees

Integrate Platforms

• The pearler extension is available for all web browsers• Available for iPhone, iPad, and Android

• In iOS apps, the pearler is a bookmarklet in Safari

Across Devices

Academic Implications

Student, Teacher, & Writing Center

Users

Students as Users

Collect and categorize web pages that are relevant to particular courses or projects

Collect sites for general academic support like study tips or free software

Share sources with peers, especially for group projects

Annotate the pages to comment on their value or potential

Teachers as Users

Gather sources for lesson planning

Direct students to the account to view collected material

Have students create profiles or collections as part of projects, similar to annotated bibliographies

Writing Centers as Users

Collect and categorize useful resources for writers, tutors, and faculty to browse

Engage in social media and create online web presence

Publicize university-specific resources and information

Share resources with other writing centers and similar institutions

WCTechTime Pearltrees account for WCTechTime blog

Gathers sites I’m interested in reviewing for writing centers

Offers location for other writing centers to add their resources