Please use any of the content on this website for your course!
Social annotation is one answer to the question “Why don’t my students do the reading?” Social annotation transforms reading (or viewing) into a group activity and allows students to have a discussion within a text (or other media artifact). It increases engagement, provides accountability, and exposes students to different reactions and understandings. Annotation can help students with reading comprehension, analytical skills, and content knowledge. Traditional annotation is done in isolation: It is nearly impossible for students to annotate the same copy of a text. Social annotation tools, however, allow students to read, annotate, and discuss digital texts and other media together. Social annotation tools can be used through browser extensions, a learning management system integration, or a shared online document.
Introduce the social annotation tool you choose with a low-stakes or no-stakes activity so that students have a chance to practice without pressure.
Provide model annotations and comments.
Reinforce insightful annotations and gently correct misconceptions.
Here’s a short article with suggestions for social annotation activities: Back to School With Annotation: 10 Ways to Annotate With Students.
Please keep in mind the following guidelines for minimum standards:
Each post should be between 75-125 words (a medium-to-long paragraph)
Contribute no more than one post on each page of the original text - spread out annotations to different pages
Three original posts are due on Friday, response posts are due Sunday
Each of your annotations should be substantive, clear and specific.
When responding to others, use the “Yes and” concept from improv comedy. Don't stop at "I agree" or "I disagree"; instead, use your classmates' posts as a jumping-off point to go even further
Please ensure that your posts demonstrate careful reading and a sociological perspective.
While you read the article, you’ll add annotations to the text.
Focus on what the author has to say or what they are arguing:
Identify supporting points or arguments in the article and post an annotation explaining how their evidence or examples are relevant.
What are your reactions to their argument and examples?
What is the author’s goal with this piece?
Do you agree or disagree with their ideas?
Please post at least 5 original annotations and respond to at least 2 other students’ posts. Your response posts can be agreement, disagreement, or adding information and ultimately: it should draw connections.
Also: annotating to add additional resources like defining new words, providing links to related resources, and reflecting on the linkages between different readings and lectures is encouraged.
Introductions - Large and Small Discussions - Open Forums - Peer Review & Critique
Group Projects & Study Groups - Video Discussions - Social Annotation