Posts
Based on the Blog by Audrey Watters
Original Publication Date: July 19, 2011
Highlighter is launching an application that will allow readers to comment in the margins with the addition of one line of JavaScript in the footer. Publishers of blogs can now create an environment where readers can “highlight, annotate, save, and share passages and comments” (Watters, 2011). Unlike the traditional blog comments appearing at the end of the post, highlighter will enable readers to comment during the passage, much like writing in the margins of a text.
Highlighter in education will allow teachers to see who’s been reading and commenting. Users don’t need to create a Highlighter account to write comments on a blog. However, if you want to track or save your comments an account is required. In addition, Highlighter has provided the options of keeping the comments private, public, or semi-private. The semi-private option only lets those in your group (class) read and comment. The administrative options allow the publisher to set controls, so comments need approval or require names/emails prior to posting. This appears to be a very useful tool for classroom discussions and a giant step toward effective use of digital texts.
Watters, a. (2011, July 19). Enable comments in the margins of your website with highlighter & 1 line of javascript [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/enable_comments_in_the_margins_of_your_website_wit.php
Thank you for finding this website. I watched the 2 minute video and found it very interesting. At my school, we've been working on improving reading. We use a strategy called "Talking to the Text," also known as marginalia. It's a great way to get the students engaged in the text. I have had trouble with figuring out ways to get online readings to coordinate with the Talking to the Text strategy. This website provides teachers with that opportunity.
ReplyDeleteAgain, the only issue is the fact that if classrooms don't have access to the technology on a daily basis, it becomes problematic in trying to teach the application for one day and then in a month, re-teaching how to use it.
Still, I found this to be a valuable resource and I passed it on to some of my colleagues. Thanks again for sharing this.
This website sounds really useful. I would like to try a peer editing activity. It sounds like it works "kinda" like Diigo. I always like it when my teacher gave me feedback in the margin of my papers.
ReplyDelete