Top 5 Reasons Faculty are Integrating Social Annotation into Their Courses

By Joe Ferraro | 2 October, 2024

As the digital age reshapes higher education, faculty members are seeking innovative tools to engage students more effectively. One of these tools is social annotation, which allows students to annotate and collaborate directly on digital texts. My team and I speak to faculty and administrators from hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the year and these are the top 5 reasons they’ve chosen Hypothesis:

  1. Students Are Not Reading

A growing concern among educators is that students are not fully engaging with reading materials. Research shows that the volume of reading assignments has decreased significantly over the years, partly due to the increasing cost of textbooks and the digital distractions students face. Social annotation addresses this by turning reading into an interactive activity. When students know their peers and instructors will see their annotations, they are more likely to stay engaged with the material. Hypothesis has seen courses that incorporate social annotation into their courses increase engagement with textbooks anywhere from 3-5x over the course of a semester.

  1. Students Are Overwhelmed by Too Many Digital Tools

In today’s digital-first classrooms, students are required to juggle various tools, leading to cognitive overload and metacognition issues . Social annotation simplifies this by offering a single, integrated platform where students can interact with course materials and their peers. This creates a more streamlined learning experience, helping students stay focused and engaged.

  1. Discussion Boards Are Ineffective

Many faculty believe that traditional discussion boards are ineffective, often resulting in shallow participation. Discussion boards are turning into “agreement boards”, with many students simply completing the required number of posts. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, students today are more likely to disengage from class activities that don’t immediately capture their interest . Social annotation provides an alternative, as it allows students to engage in more meaningful conversations directly within the text. 

Faculty have found that this method fosters deeper critical thinking and more sustained engagement with course materials. Jennifer Young, a faculty member at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, noticed an increase in engagement from students of 2100% when she switched from using the discussion board to social annotation. Students were posting nearly 40X more with annotations than they were in the discussion boards. She shared “The students are engaged from the very beginning. They’re helping each other, they’re learning, and they’re not just waiting for the instructor to respond.”

  1. Building Community

One of the key benefits of social annotation is its ability to build a sense of community among students. Especially in online or hybrid courses, students often feel disconnected from their peers. By annotating together, students can collaborate, share insights, and ask questions, creating a more cohesive learning environment . This collaboration helps bridge the gap between students, fostering peer-to-peer learning and mutual support.

  1. Supporting Different Learning Styles

Every classroom is filled with students who have different learning preferences, and social annotation accommodates these varying needs. Whether a student learns best through reading, visual aids, or discussion, social annotation allows them to engage with the material in the way that works best for them. As Inside Higher Ed notes, supporting multiple learning styles can significantly improve student retention and success.


Jennifer Young shared her insights with social annotation and learning styles noting, “Even the most introverted person wants to know that somebody cares. Hypothesis shows students that their learning experience is shared and valued.”

Conclusion: Transforming Classrooms with Social Annotation

Social annotation is becoming a go-to tool for faculty looking to increase student engagement and encourage collaboration. With its ability to promote reading, reduce digital burnout, and support diverse learning styles, it’s no surprise that more instructors are incorporating it into their teaching strategies than ever before.

Interested in learning more? Explore how Hypothesis can help transform your classroom with social annotation.


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