BOOK: AOD Foundations

7.3. Annotation

Annotation tools allow learners to add comments directly on an existing resource (e.g., a reading or webpage), see each other’s comments, and respond to it. This permits the discussion to take place on the resource, rather than abstracted from it. In a text-based discussion, learners who are discussing a reading might copy a quote, indicate its page number (its location in the text), and then add their commentary, whereas with an annotation tool, these commented are embedded in the text in situ. This permits learners to see the context in which the comments are made.

You can read about annotation tools (and also document collaboration tools) in this Tip Sheet from the University of Waterloo’s Centre for Teaching Excellence.

When to use:

• These tools permit a discussion about a document to take place in the document rather than outside of it. Thus, it works best for discussions that are about a document (a webpage, reading, image, etc).

Some issues to be aware of:

• Check whether your chosen platform can display information and allow users to post using their mobile devices. Many students work on assignments during transit and need to access platforms that work on a phone or tablet.

Some platforms:

• MS Office and Google Docs
  Sometimes, we overlook the capabilities and uses of the tools everyone uses everyday. The Microsoft Office 365 suite (with familiar tools such as MS Word and MS Power Point) and the Google Office Suite (Google Docs and Slides) allow multiple users to review documents and post comments at specific locations in the document. Users can also respond to one another. While Google usually does not meet FIOPPA requirements, it is possible to share a link to the document so that anyone with the link can add comments without having to register or provide any personal information. You can then upload a reading, class notes, even slides, and ask students to comment on them, find flaws and suggest improvements, add ideas, etc.
  
  
• Hypothesis
  Hypothesis allows users to annotate web pages. To do this, they must download and install the Chrome browser extension or add a Bookmarklet in their Firefox browser. Other web browsers are also supported. In other words, its a modification of the internet browser that allows users to add a layer over an existing webpage where they can add and store their notes. They can highlight certain passages and add comments. While Hypothesis can be used as a personal tool, it can also be used collaborative. Educators can set up a group, send the link to their students. Next time students open the Hypothesis applet in their browser, they are given the option to post their comments for their own use, or to make it available to the group. Note that a webpage doesn’t limit itself to text-based websites. Here is a
  to show how students can annotate the transcript from a YouTube video.The tool is free to use as long as it is not integrated as part of the institution’s LMS.
  
  
• Perusall
  Perusall is described as a collaborative eReader. Think of it as a way to allow students to collaborate in understanding a reading before class. They can highlight the passages they do not understand and ask their peers for support. Perusall can provide a grade recommendation for each student based on the quality of their comments in helping others learn. You can view this
  from E. Mueller Teaching that shows what the tool looks like and its capabilities. You can also view this
  where Paul Blashchko who teaches philosophy at the University of Notre Dame describes his use of this tool. As you might have guessed from the fact that the tool tracks student contributions, users must register. Although accounts are free, you may need to ask your ITC department to conduct a FIOPPA check before you can use it. Perusall and Hypothesis are similar. You can read a comparison in this blog post.
  
  
• Voicethread
  This platformis also an annotation tool, thoughthe annotations are not limited to text; rather, they can include audio and video recordings. Another difference is that students can upload documents that others can comment on; unlike the other tools where educators assigned specific documents. It functions more like an interactive, multimedia community. Students can upload a written assignment, a slide deck, or a video and ask peers to engage in peer review and provide feedback in situ. Comments appear as thumbnails at the appropriate place in the document, including in a video at the appropriate time in the playback. You can view a
  created by the company. This is a paid service and since it requires login would need to go through a FOIPPA check.