There are three primary tools available within Canvas to allow students to annotate. To learn more about the differences between the three options, please refer to our detailed comparison matrix or our simplified high-level matrix.
1. Canvas Student Annotation Assignments
Instructor Guide to Setting Up an Online Assignment
Allows instructors to upload a file to allow students to annotate directly in canvas. Annotations made by students are visible only to the teaching team members. Other students in the class cannot see each other's annotations unless peer reviews are enabled.
2. Hypothes.is
Instructor Guide to add Hypothesis to Modules
Instructor Guide to add a Hypothesis Assignment
Hypothesis allows students in a course to collaborate by adding annotations and notes to a PDF file simultaneously. Hypothesis files and assignments can be assigned to the entire class or to specific groups. Annotations cannot be made private between just the student and instructor.
3. Harmonize
Instructor Guide to Allow Student Annotations
Harmonize enables students to annotate images, videos, and PD files. Harmonize annotation assignments can be assigned to the entire course, specific sections or groups, or privately between the teaching team and students.