The @mentions feature allows users to mention specific users in their LMS courses and assignments, and make sure those users receive a notification of the mention. For information on the @mentions feature for the Hypothesis web app, click here.
Pre-requisite
The @mentions feature is enabled only for institutions who are allowing student email collection. If your institution has opted out of student email collection and wants to opt in, please have your institution’s LMS admin or other point of contact submit a request to opt in here.
How do @mentions work?
To mention a user in an annotation, type “@” followed by their display name. As you type, a list of suggested users will appear. You can select a user by clicking their name or using the arrow keys and pressing Enter/Return. Once your annotation is complete, click Post to save it and officially mention the user.
Note: The suggestions list will include the names of users who have launched a Hypothesis assignment within the relevant course, assignment, or section group.
Note: A user can mention only users who are also in the same course/assignment group.
Notifications
When a user is mentioned in an annotation, they will instantly receive an email notification about the mention in a specific Hypothesis assignment.
Clicking the links to change email preferences will open different windows for instructors and students. Instructors can adjust settings for both @mentions and Email Digests, while students will only see options for @mentions.
How can I use this feature?
For Instructors
Model scenarios where mentions will have the most impact in your class
Think about the effect you want mentions to have in your class and kick off that use case yourself! Don’t be afraid to be explicit with your students that you’re modeling useful behaviors.
Invite student questions, @mention answers
@mentions provide an opportunity for students to raise questions and identify points of confusion while they’re reading, and the email notification that follows let’s you as an instructor trust that students will know when you’ve answered them, taking the pressure off answering instantly.
Drive conversation threads deeper with strategic questions
Just like you’d do in a live class discussion, look for opportune moments to question, problematize, and expand on points students are making. Call out the original question, or students who you think have made contrary points who might help students be more thoughtful in their conversation.
Tee up your class discussion for depth
@mentions students asking them to bring the current discussion points up in class, including some resources they should look into before class to support their point.
For Students
Mention the other students in your class for collaboration and questions
Annotation isn’t just about getting your thoughts down on paper; the “good parts” of a text quickly fill up with notes. Drive deeper conversations by replying to great points by providing supporting evidence for someone else’s ideas, and by asking them questions about their thoughts. Include an @mention for the student who wrote the comment so they know you’re asking!
Ask your instructor for support
Send an @mention to your instructor when you feel like a passage is unclear, or when you have a question connecting part of the text to other texts and lectures from your course. This can help you get clarity on the reading before you walk into your next class!