FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Account Questions
How do I sign up for a PEARL account?
To create a PEARL account, visit pearl.psea.org, click Log In and verify your Association membership. This easy process doesn’t take more than 30 seconds! If you have any problems or questions, we are here to help: professionallearning@psea.org; 717-255-7000.
I can't find my PSEA Member ID Number to create an account; can you help me?
Yes, we can help! PEARL is a free member-only resource, so we need your ID number to make sure you qualify for this service. Your PSEA Member ID Number is on your PSEA membership card. If you don't have access to your card or can't find the number on it, just give us a call (717-255-7000) or email us (professionallearning@psea.org) and we will help you get the information you need.
What is a PPID Number and how do I know if I have one?
A PPID Number is a unique number assigned by the PA Department of Education (PDE) to every individual in PA who holds a professional certificate in education. If you hold a certificate to work as an educator in the Commonwealth, you have a PPID. You can find your PPID on PDE's website. PDE uses this number to record all Act 48 hours earned by an educator.
If you do not hold an educator certificate issued by PDE, you can still use PEARL! Please list your PPID as 9999999, and we will know that this means you do not have a PPID and do not need Act 48 hours reported to PDE on your behalf. You will receive a certificate of completion and a digital badge that you can use to demonstrate course completion.
What do I do if I forget my password?
If you forget your PEARL password, you can reset your password on your own. Just go to the login screen and click on the "forgot password" button under the password field. You will need to enter your username/email. Then, go into your email account to find the password reset email with subject line: "Password Reset for PEARL" from "ProfessionalLearning@psea.org" in your inbox. If you do not recieve the email within five (5) minutes, check your junk or spam folder. If you still do not have the email, call us (717-255-7000) or email us (professionallearning@psea.org) with your full name, email address, and PSEA Local. We will work to find the correct username and password combination and get you back to learning.
How-To Video: https://vimeo.com/639243194
What do I do if I forget my email/username?
If you cannot remember the email that you used to register for PEARL, contact us at ProfessionalLearning@psea.org with your full name, email address, and PSEA Local. We will work to find the correct username and reset your password to get you back to learning.
What do I do if my login is not working?
If you already reset your password and your login is not working, you are likely trying to access PEARL through our Moodle (course) website rather than our PEARL (portal to courses) website. Make sure your address bar includes pearl.psea.org and not pearlclassroom.psea.org when entering your login information. If you are logging in from pearl.psea.org and your login is still not working, please contact us at ProfessionalLearning@psea.org for further assistance.
How-To Video: https://vimeo.com/639295844
Class/Course Questions
What is the difference between a class and a course?
A class is simply one collection of students in a course. The default class (that with the same name as the course) is the asynchronous version of a course that you can complete at your own pace. Most courses currently only have one class section available at this time, but as PEARL grows you might find options for hybrid and/or supported sections of a course in addition to the standard asynchronous class. For most purposes, you can use the terms course and class interchangably when working in PEARL.
How much time does a class take?
PEARL classes are structured to cover a variety of different time-spans to meet your individual learning needs. Each course description includes the expected time it will take to complete the courses.
How much does it cost to enroll in a class?
Pennsylvania State Education Association members can enroll in all PEARL classes for free. If a course is offered for postgraduate credit, PSEA members can opt to receive postgraduate credit for the postgraduate fee charged by the university.
Can I get the syllabus for the course before making a decision?
Yes! Please email professionallearning@psea.org for specific information about any course that interests you.
How are courses structured?
All of our courses are designed by PSEA staff and fellow educators and are structured to meet the learning goals of the courses. Many courses center around recordings of webinars that were held at an earlier date. However, that isn't all we offer. Check out lots of different courses to see what we have to offer.
How do I register for a course?
To register for a course, log into your PEARL account and simply click on any course that you are interested in taking. When you click on the course, you will be provided with more detailed information about the course including the course image, Act 48 hours, a course description, relevant details, and reviews. To register, select a class section from the "Choose your section" dropdown menu the "Class Details" heading and then click the "Enroll in Class" button below. Most courses currently only have one class section available at this time, but as PEARL grows you might find options for hybrid and/or supported sections of a course in addition to the standard asynchronous class. On the page the follows, check the information and then click the blue "Proceed to Checkout" button (if you'd like to enroll in multiple courses at once you can choose the "Add More Classes" button and proceed when you are ready). Enter your information on this page to begin the checkout process. Please note that all courses are free, so the checkout process is more of a registration process. Finally, hit the "Submit" button to complete your registration.
How-To Video: https://vimeo.com/639278477
How do I access the course once I've registered?
If you did not directly enter the class after registration and complete it, you will need to access the course at a later time. To do this, log into PEARL and mouseover your account name. Click on the "My Classes" selection in the dropdown menu that appears. On this page, find the course you wish to access and click on the "Go to Class" button to proceed to the course.
How-To Video: https://vimeo.com/639278365
Other Questions
Can my district use PEARL for its professional development?
Districts may work in partnership with their local association to arrange to use PEARL to meet their professional learning needs free of charge. Local associations that are working with their employer to provide professional learning through PEARL should contact their UniServ Representative to determine the best structure to meet local needs.
How do I access certificates and badges for my completed PEARL courses?
You can access your certificates and badges for completed PEARL courses from any course inside of PEARL. Log into PEARL and enter any class. Then, click on the down arrow next to your name in the upper right hand corner of the screen and go to "Profile" in the dropdown menu. On the profile page, you will see "My Certificates" under the Miscellaneous heading. Click on this link to view and download your certificates. On the same profile page, you will see a list of all of the badges you've earned as well.
How-To Video: https://vimeo.com/639278852
How do I navigate the courses and system in PEARL?
There are many ways to navigate courses. On a laptop or PC, you can use the navigation pane on the left side of the screen to navigate courses and the bars on the right side and top of the page to access other important features. On a mobile device, you will primarily use the links and jump menu to navigate courses.
How-To Video: https://vimeo.com/639295865
How-To Video Library
Have a question that we didn't answer?
Give us a call (717-255-7000) or email us (professionallearning@psea.org) and we will help you get the information you need.
For a collection of all our PEARL How-To videos, please visit our Vimeo Showcase at: vimeo.com/showcase/pearl