These are tough times for educators who face challenges on multiple fronts. It’s why we launched the PebblePad Hug initiative back in May to give you better help and support – as well as enable you to better help and support yourselves and each other.
That was the aim – so fast forward to July and what has PebblePad’s all-encompassing Hug actually delivered? Well, quite a lot as it turns out! Here’s a breakdown of everything new to date – plus a sneak peek at what’s coming up over the rest of the year.
What’s new
Help Hub
Our new help service launched last month, providing you with more accessible and comprehensive support directly within PebblePad. Using profile-based categories – covering everyone from learners and assessors to workspace managers and resource builders – you can navigate to all the answers, insights and advice you need more quickly and easily, saving you invaluable time and resources. Check it out here.
Self-Serve Training
Just launched, this is PebblePad Academy’s free on-demand training for our community, enabling you to learn at your own pace. Training modules include orientation, resource building, ATLAS management and more with additional modules coming soon. The best part? All Self-Serve Training is free for the rest of 2025 as part of the PebblePad Hug – find out more here.
PebblePad User Groups
Affectionately known as PUGs, we’ve relaunched our community groups, which bring together customers to share their insights and experiences of using PebblePad to power pedagogy in their institutions. We’ve already had three events in the UK this year – one in the North, one in Scotland and one covering Wales, South and West of England – with the London and East PUG event to be held shortly (check here for updates). Missed them? Fret not as we’ll be announcing the next wave of PUGs before the year is out.
Special Interest Groups
Okay, so not strictly new – but our fantastic Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are a firm favourite with customers. These offer ongoing live sessions led by our PebblePad and customer subject experts to help users solve problems in specific subject/discipline areas. Importantly, SIGs are cross-institutional with members from different universities and colleges coming together to share their experiences, perspectives and best PebblePad practice.
SIGs are currently available in the UK (for instance, Nursing & Midwifery and Dietetic SIGs) and in North America (General Education SIG), while in Australia and New Zealand, you can sign up to the Medical Radiation Sciences and Nursing & Midwifery Newbies SIGs. Interested? Then drop your CSM a line and we’ll onboard you!
Marketing Toolkit
So, you’ve finally got the greenlight to go all in on PebblePad and are already busy designing workbooks. But, wait, what about everyone else in your institution? Do they know what PebblePad is? Or PebblePocket? Or Alumni accounts!?
The answer? The new Marketing Toolkit, a guide packed with insights on how to promote PebblePad to everyone within your institution to drive up understanding, engagement and advocacy. Included are pre-written press releases, socials, visual assets, and far, far more. We’ve produced versions for each region, too, so request a digital copy from your CSM today.
Conference Assist
A quick timely reminder that if you are gearing up to make a presentation with a PebblePad focus, then let us lighten the financial load whether it’s to help with travel expenses, registration fees or accommodation (or all three!). The application process is super simple – see for yourself here.
What’s coming up
MiniBash 2025
We love bringing people together to share the latest findings, insights and use cases for PebblePad from the people who know best – you, our brilliant customers. So, join us and some of the brightest thought leaders from higher education for this one-day event (and an evening of networking and nibbles) in Birmingham, UK, on 28 November.
Together, we’ll explore how the challenging conditions facing our sector today can act as a springboard for tomorrow’s opportunities – through connection, collaboration and the creation of new approaches and fresh practices. Book your ticket now.
ANZ MiniBash Online 2025
The big, big themes of connection, collaboration and creativity are also being explored on the other side of the world with MiniBash Online, a special online event for our Australian customers on 23 October. It’s your chance to connect with passionate professionals, discover fresh ideas and shape the future of teaching and learning in higher education. To learn more, reach out to your CSM who can provide you with all the details.
North America MiniBash 2025
We’re also in the process of planning a MiniBash event for our North American customers. More details about this special day to follow very soon.
Coast to Coast
Since 2020, our Coast to Coast webinar series has brought together PebblePad users from across North America to learn, connect and grow. Now, after a brief hiatus, we’re super excited to be bringing the series back this September! We’re starting with a special session to welcome our newest customers and connect them with experienced PebblePad partners.
From there, we’ll continue with our monthly Pebble Chats, which offer a casual, friendly space for exploring best practices, swapping stories and creating great connections across institutions. If you want to join us, just let your US CSM know!
P.S. One more thing
Well, several more things actually! First, sign up to our webinar – Rapid Response Ready: Elevating Paramedic Practice and CPD with PebblePad – on 29 July. The webinar has five speakers from three different universities showcasing how paramedicine is reshaping professional development with insights that will benefit all educators – check out the details here.
If you have a theme you’d love to present in a webinar, then do let us know by contacting your CSM. These events are such a fantastic opportunity to connect, share and learn from one another so we’re always looking for inspirators to present – and to award a Credly ‘Community Champion’ badge to for their endeavours!
Going even further
Last (but not least), we’re working on a host of new features for PebblePad designed to boost the value of your investment even further – and make our entire platform simpler and easier to use, too. Two in particular are shaping up to be genuine game changers – but we can’t say too much right now.
That’s why you really should register for our Product Showcase in October where you’ll learn more about what’s coming down the PebblePad product pipeline. See you there!
