Social Reading Tools

eComma GDocs eMargin Hypothes.is
Format
  • LTI app for LMS integration (e.g. for Canvas, BB, etc.)
  • Drupal Website module (plugin)
Website Website
  • Browser extension (Chrome)
  • Bookmarklets (non-Chrome browsers)
  • LTI app for LMS integration (e.g. for Canvas, BB, etc.)
Producer COERLL, University of Texas at Austin Google RDUES, Birmingham City University Hypothes.is (Non-profit)
Sponsors U.S. Department of Education, University of Texas at Austin Google Birmingham City University Knight, Mellon, Shuttleworth, Sloan, Helmsley, and Omidyar Foundations
Cost Free Free Free Free
Hosting Hosted on eComma website (LTI) or self hosted through Drupal Hosted on Google website Hosted on eMargin website Hosted on Hypothes.is website
Open License YES NO NO NO
Download / Customizable source code YES NO NO NO
Support for teams, groups, or classrooms Not built in, but several Drupal modules can add that functionality. COERLL uses the Organic Groups Drupal modules. YES (use of folders and sharing options) YES YES
Original purpose Textual analysis Text editing tool Textual analysis Annotating the web
Features
  • Annotations are displayed in sidebar
  • Tag/comment cloud
  • Word cloud of text
  • Heatmap of annotations
  • Annotation (electronic) text has to be pasted into the eComma website.
  • Best to use Chrome, Safari, or Firefox
  • Annotations  displayed in sidebar
  • Annotations are color coded
  • Document importer (PDF, Word, …)
  • Works in all browsers, native to Chrome
  • Annotations are displayed in popup box and in margin
  • Annotations are color coded
  • Dictionary search field integrated
  • Sharable links to specific annotations
  • Annotations displayed in a sidebar
  • Heat map of annotations
  • Native to Chrome, but works also in other browsers
  • Sharable links to specific annotations
FERPA friendly YES YES YES YES
Analytics NO NO NO NO
Marginalia Annotator Ponder Classroom Salon
Format
  • Self hosted software
  • Moodle Website plugin
  • jQuery plugi andn/API
  • WordPress Website plugin
  • Browser plugin
  • iPhone/iPad app and Website
  • Browser plugin
  • iPhone/iPad app
  • Website
Producer Geof Glass, student, Simon Fraser University U.S. Department of Education Open Knowledge Foundation Parlor Labs Inc. Carnegie Mellon University
Sponsors U.S. Department of Education, Simon Fraser University Open Knowledge Foundation Parlor Labs Inc. Carnegie Mellon University
Cost Free Free For a limited time, Ponder is free for each instructor’s first semester. Free
Hosting Self Hosted Self Hosted jQuery plugin Hosted on Ponder server Hosted on Salon server
Open License YES YES NO NO
Download / Customizable source code YES NO NO NO
Support for teams, groups, or classrooms NO NO YES YES
Original purpose Textual analysis Textual analysis Textual analysis Textual and multi media analysis
Features
  • Overlaps of annotations are  revealed on hover
  • Annotations are displayed in margin
  • Heatmap of annotations
  • Unstable in  <IE 8 browser support
  • Annotation tools plugin can be used in whatever browser
  • Data reports for instructors and students
  • Engagement Analytics day-to-day to drive student’s reading achievements and help teacher identify problems
  • Tags are set up for classes by instructors
  • Students identify”flag” excerpts from their readings with a predefined sentiment tag
  • All text/word files, youtube, and vimeo videos can be uploaded and annotated
  • iPad and smart phone support
  • Salon analytics can export student data
  • Can make copies of Salon texts/files
  • Different view modes can be triggered: Students can only see their own or all comments
  • Salon navigator, shows similarly to a heat map hotspots of discussions
  • A summary view of all annotation activities and hotspots
FERPA friendly YES YES YES YES
Analytics NO NO YES YES