Annotation Check-in
Until this semester, I exclusively used electronic formats for the readings in my classes. While electronic readings have a lot of advantages, I found that most students simply opened the file in a web browser, without doing any annotation. Consequently, they had a hard time finding important passages in class, and recalling which reading had covered some important idea earlier in the term.
Since we had to use hard copies of the books for this semester, I decided it was a good opportunity to practice annotation.
The annotation check-in assignment is a quick way for you to reflect on how you’re using annotations.
Parts of an annotation check-in
Your annotation check-in needs to have:
- A clear photo of an annotated page from a recent assigned reading
- “Recent” means “within the last few weeks”
- A book stand might be helpful here
- HEIC images do not embed properly in CatCourses. Please convert them to JPEGs. Instructions here.
- A few sentences explaining the annotation practice you’re reflecting on
- So that I know what to look at on the page
- Several sentences reflecting on whether and how (or not) the annotation practice is useful for you
- If it’s not useful, add a sentence or two thinking about what you might try instead
- Total target length for parts 2+3 is 50-100 words
Annotation resources
If you’re not used to annotating your readings, or want ideas for new practices, you might find these resources useful:
Submitting your annotation check-in
You’ll turn it in using CatCourses. To include your photo, in the text entry box, look for the “insert image” tool towards the right side of the toolbar.
