Annotation Assignment Tools (Perusall/Canvas/Google)

What is an Annotation Assignment?

An annotation assignment is a method of active reading that goes beyond reading the words on the page.

It usually requires students to interact with a text by adding notes, comments, or other marks directly on it, demonstrating their understanding and engagement with the material.

The goal of this process helps readers analyze, interpret, and critically evaluate the text, preparing them for further discussion or writing.

There are three standard types of Annotation Assignment Tools that are used at Boise State University.

Perusall (Free Version)

Description of Perusall (Free Version)

Perusall is a free social annotation platform that allows students to collaboratively highlight, comment on, and discuss digital course materials such as PDFs, e-books, websites, and videos. It turns reading into a collective, interactive experience, encouraging students to engage more deeply with the content and with each other.

Integrating Perusall and Canvas Instructions

What is special about this tool? Why would I want to use it?

Social Learning Focus: Students can comment on and reply to each other’s annotations, fostering peer learning and active discussion.
Automatic Engagement Scoring: Perusall analyzes reading behavior and quality of comments to generate auto-grading for participation, helping instructors track engagement easily.
Integrated with LMS: It works with Canvas, so it can fit seamlessly into existing workflows.
Supports Multiple Content Types: You can upload readings, link to websites, or annotate videos and e-textbooks.
Reduces “Reading Alone” Fatigue: By turning passive reading into a social activity, students are more likely to complete and comprehend assigned materials.

What is clunky about this tool? Why might I choose another tool instead?

Learning Curve: Both students and instructors may find the interface confusing or unintuitive at first, especially when setting up materials or navigating threads of discussion.
Over-reliance on Automation: The auto-grading system can feel opaque or inconsistent, and may not always align with the instructor’s definition of quality engagement.
Limited Customization: The free version has limited analytics and customization, and bulk uploading or assignment management can be cumbersome.
Discussions Can Get Messy: Long threads or dense annotations can feel overwhelming or disorganized, particularly in larger classes.
Better Options for Simpler Needs: If your goal is just basic document collaboration or commenting (e.g., on Google Docs), Perusall may feel overbuilt.

Canvas - Annotation Assignment

Description of Canvas Annotation Tool

Canvas’s Annotation Tool is built into the “Student Annotation” assignment type in Canvas LMS. Instructors upload a document (PDF, PNG, JPG), and students are asked to mark up and annotate the file directly within Canvas using built-in tools like highlighting, drawing, and text comments.

Canvas Annotation Assignments

What is special about this tool? Why would I want to use it?

Fully Integrated in Canvas: No extra logins, no external tools—students stay within the LMS.
Simple Submission Workflow: The annotated file is submitted as the assignment, so it’s easy for grading and feedback.
Good for Directed Reading Tasks: Instructors can assign specific prompts or focus areas for students to annotate.
No Additional Cost: Available to all Canvas users with no third-party installation needed.
Easy for Quick Annotation Activities: Great for small-scale or formative assessments.

What is clunky about this tool? Why might I choose another tool instead?

Limited Collaboration: Students can only see and annotate their own copy—no peer interaction or discussion.
Only Works on Uploaded Files: Doesn’t support annotation on websites, videos, or external documents.
Basic Toolset: Annotation tools are minimal (e.g., no threading, tagging, or search).
Can Be Buggy on Some Devices: Annotations can misalign or disappear, especially on tablets or certain browsers.
Not Ideal for Rich Dialogue: If your goal is peer interaction, Canvas is not the best fit.

Google Doc as an Annotation Assignment

Description of Google Docs

Google Docs can be used for annotation by sharing a document (e.g., article, prompt, or image) and having students highlight and comment collaboratively using the built-in commenting and suggesting features.

What is special about this tool? Why would I want to use it?

Familiar and Easy to Use: Most students and instructors are already comfortable with Google Docs.
Real-Time Collaboration: Everyone can see and reply to comments live—excellent for peer interaction.
Flexible Access and Content: Supports almost any type of text or image content; easy to update or format.
Comment Threading and Tagging: Threaded comments allow for dialogue, and you can tag users with @mentions.
Low Barrier to Entry: No setup or integration required if you’re using Google Workspace or personal accounts.

What is clunky about this tool? Why might I choose another tool instead?

No Built-in Analytics or Grading: Requires manual tracking of participation and engagement.
Harder to Manage with Large Classes: Many users commenting at once can create chaos or version issues.
Not Designed for Formal Assessment: There’s no gradebook tie-in, unless you link submissions back into Canvas.
Access Issues: Must manage sharing permissions, which can be confusing or inconsistent.
Fragmented Workflow: Using Google Docs means students leave the LMS environment, which can cause disconnection from course materials.

Key aspects of an annotation assignment:

Active Reading: Annotating encourages active participation with the text, prompting readers to think critically about the content as they encounter it.
Note-Taking: Annotations can include summaries of key points, personal responses, questions, connections to other ideas, or even symbols that represent specific concepts.
Analysis and Interpretation: Annotations can demonstrate the reader's understanding of the author's purpose, main arguments, and intended audience.
Evaluation: Annotations can include evaluations of the source's credibility, biases, or usefulness for a particular purpose.
Reflection: Annotations allow readers to reflect on their own understanding and interpretations of the text.

Examples of annotation practices:

Highlighting key passages or unfamiliar vocabulary.
Adding margin notes to summarize sections or pose questions.
Using symbols to represent different types of information (e.g., question marks for confusion, stars for important ideas).
Writing short summaries at the end of chapters or sections.
Creating connections between different parts of the text or to other texts.