Web annotator

Abstract

The World Wide Web is increasingly becoming an integrated extension of users' computing environments, with content indexed and retrieved through Web browsers. Web browsers are increasingly being used as computer science curriculum delivery mechanism, for both books delivered as local content on CD ROMs as well as server-based material. Traditional computer science curriculum has often been presented through static printed media. What has been printed ahead of time in books or handouts can not be changed. Any changes would have to be attached externally by way of scribbled notes or explanations on the board. The Web gives us the technological affordances to change that, both for students and teachers. The Web Annotator is an Internet Explorer plug-in that allows users to annotate browser-based course material. It allows teachers to cooperatively develop course content, as well as provide supplemental annotations to course web pages. Material on any web page can be added, deleted, or reformatted. The original page remains unchanged, however the user's version of the page is filtered, adding, subtracting and changing web page elements, giving an enhanced view. A demonstration version of the Web Annotator can be downloaded from: http://logos.cs. uic.edu/Annotator.