Digital Tools

You can use Hypothesis to collaboratively annotate course readings and other internet resources. It is a web-based open-source platform with a simple user interface. Because Hypothes.is can integrate within an LMS, the platform is easy to use through existing institutional authentication systems once students have set up their individual accounts.

Perusall is an online platform, which permits students and faculty to annotate assigned texts (webpages, pdfs, epubs, Word files, Excel files, online photos, videos hosted on YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, or Dropbox) and comment on the reading material in a style similar to social media posts. Students can write full comments, “like” others' comments, use hashtags, and link to other online materials in their comments .

Ponder is a browser add-on and iOS app. Once installed, Ponder allows you to create micro-responses anywhere on the web (on text and video) and measures reading activity on sites listed in the Class Reading List.

A Ponder micro-response consists of 3 parts:

1. Extraction. While you read or watch a video, you can highlight words, phrases, sentences or mark a spot in the video that provokes a response in you.


2. A sentiment. For each selection, you are asked to choose from a range of reactions. Some are for registering confusion: “Syntax! I don’t understand the meaning of this.” Others are for evaluating claims: “Too much. This smells like hyperbole to me.” And still others are for staking out emotional ground. “Tsk. I disapprove.” See our guide to Ponder sentiments.


3. Themes. Readers select from a set of themes defined by the teacher, tying what they’re reading to specific concepts from the curriculum. (e.g. This is part of the protoganist’s “Character Portrait” and is an example of “Hubris”, not “Pride”.)