Step II E: Selection of Web Annotation Tools

Based on the findings of Novak et al. (2012) and a quick search on Google (Web Annotation Tool), the following web annotation tools are investigated: 

1. HyLighter
2. VPen 
3. SpreadCrumbs 
4. EDUCOSM 
5. Diigo 
6. Zotero.

HyLighter

HyLighter is a browser-based collaboration platform. Novak et al. (2012) describe it as an online SA system that allows users to highlight and annotate in an electronic text and share it with others. One has to buy a license for HyLighter to be able to use it.

VPen

Virtual Pen (VPen) is a Web-based online annotation system developed by (Hwang et al. 2007). This tool was built to investigate the influence of annotation and the sharing of annotations on learning performance.

SpreadCrumbs

Novak et al. (2012) state that SpreadCrumbs has been developed to explore how students annotate electronic resources. Kawase et al. (2009) designed SpreadCrumbs as “an annotation system that provides an interface for adding post-it notes and crumbs (i.e., personal reminders) to any point within a Web page”. Furthermore, bookmarks and the sharing of annotations are possible.

EDUCOSM

Nokelainen et al. (2003) have developed EDUCOSM. This tool focuses on the possibilities of collaboration and the open-ended nature of the Web. Sharing and annotation of arbitrary Web-pages are possible. Furthermore, the EDUCOSM system consists of a set of tools including search, filters, and others for asynchronous collaborative knowledge construction (Novak et al. 2012).

Diigo

Diigo is a Web 2.0 SA tool. On its website developers describe Diigo as “a cloud-based personal information management system”. It runs on different operating systems and web browsers. Annotations, bookmarks, and highlighting are possible and saved in an online personal library. Collaboration and sharing are optional. Furthermore, this annotation tool is freely available.

Zotero

“Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources”, according to its developers. Zotero is also a Web 2.0 SA tool. Zotero can be used to organize and tag documents, however, it is not possible to annotate or highlight documents.

Sources

• Hwang, W.Y., Wang, C.Y. & Sharples, M., 2007. A study of multimedia annotation of Web-based materials. Computers \& Education, 48(4), pp.680–699.
• Kawase, R., Herder, E. & Nejdl, W., 2009. A comparison of paper-based and online annotations in the workplace. Learning in the Synergy of Multiple Disciplines, pp.240–253.
• Nokelainen, P. et al., 2003. Evaluating the role of a shared document-based annotation tool in learner-centered collaborative learning. Advanced Learning Technologies, 2003. Proceedings. The 3rd IEEE International Conference on, pp.200–203.
• Novak, E., Razzouk, R. & Johnson, T.E., 2012. The Educational Use of Social Annotation Tools in Higher Education: A Literature Review. Internet and Higher Education, 15(1), pp.39–49. 
• HyLighter Website
• Diigo Website
• Zotero website