Hypothesis
What is Hypothesis?
Hypothesis is a collaborative annotation tool, which is free and open to use for everyone. It allows you to annotate anywhere on the web by selecting text via a publicly viewable URL, selecting a file from your Canvas file repository, selecting a PDF from Google Drive, or selecting a PDF from OneDrive. Annotations can be created together in groups or individually, and one can reply to or share publicly or privately.
Hypothesis facilitates active reading while nurturing students to engage socially with contextual ideas and achieve a deeper understanding of readings.
August Starter Series 2025 Starting August 12
Interested in learning more about how Hypothesis social annotation can boost student engagement in your courses?
Get classroom-ready with confidence through expert-led online workshops and training by the Hypothesis staff.
How-tos Resources for Faculty
- How to set up Hypothesis readings through Canvas Assignments
- How to set up Hypothesis readings through Canvas Modules
- Creating an assignment with YouTube Video
- Using images, links, and videos in annotations
- Setting up canvas groups to create hypothesis reading groups
How-tos Resources for Students
Pedagogical Support
- Educators Resources for Social Annotations
- Hypothesis Free Partner Workshops
- Case Studies
- Find Assignment Ideas in Resources for Social Annotations
- Liquid Margins Faculty Panel Discussions
- Join the Hypothesis Educator Forum
Other Resources
- Watch Video: "Where's Class? Meet Your Students in the Margins" - Presenters: Carmen Johnston, English Professor at Chabot College, and Denise Maduli-Williams, Associate Professor at San Diego Miramar College.
Help and Support
For help with Hypothesis in Canvas, please contact the Support team, or email support@hypothes.is.