Digital Media and Learning Conference 2017

This panel brings together educators, researchers, and technologists to explore the intersection of web annotation and learning. Web annotation draws upon the centuries-old practice of adding marginalia to books, and extends this layer as a feature of the web allowing commentary, highlights, embedded media, and content categorization. Among web annotation technologies, the open platform Hypothesis (https://hypothes.is) distinctively supports learning, research, and collaborative knowledge production.

Sharing narratives and findings from initiatives using Hypothesis, seven panelists representing five projects will address the question: How do the open, social, and collaborative affordances of web annotation inform learning and community-building?

Hypothesis Education (https://hypothes.is/education/): Hypothesis Director of Education Jeremy Dean will establish context about the emerging role of web annotation in formal education and interest-driven learning; introduce web annotation and the Hypothesis platform; and suggest outstanding questions and learning opportunities.

Networked Narratives (http://netnarr.arganee.world): Mia Zamora and Alan Levine will share how learners in Networked Narratives - a digital storytelling and civic imagination connected course for Kean University students and open participants - leveraged annotation to explore virtual trips and narrative layers atop web content.

OER Textbooks (https://press.rebus.community/opensem/): Robin DeRosa will discuss a connected learning curriculum at Plymouth State University, highlighting how annotation activities support college students’ interdisciplinary learning when Hypothesis is integrated into open education resources (OER) via student-created textbooks.

Marginal Syllabus (http://marginalsyllab.us): Reporting on the Marginal Syllabus, an effort that convenes conversations about equity in learning via monthly annotathons, Remi Kalir will focus on a partnership with the National Writing Project’s Educator Innovator that supports openly networked professional learning via annotation.

Open Learning ‘17 (http://openlearninghub.net): Gardner Campbell will detail annotation activities incorporated into Virginia Commonwealth University’s Open Learning cMOOC - an “innovation hub” associated with the AAC&U Faculty Collaboratives initiative - highlighting annotated course texts about open learning and participatory culture.

Attendees will also be invited to annotate a webpage featuring descriptions of the panelists’ projects and research; these annotations will help guide interaction prior to and following the panel. The panel will conclude with discussion as directed by attendee questions.