Hypothesis

Step 1: Create an Assignment in Quercus and choose External Tool as the submission type, then select Hypothesis.

Step 2: Add your source material (URL, PDF, or YouTube video) and authorize Hypothesis if prompted.

Step 3 (optional): If you want to grade participation, enable Auto Grading and set thresholds for annotations and replies. You can specify the minimum number of annotations and replies required; scores are automatically calculated based on these thresholds and synced to the Quercus Gradebook.

Step 4: Alternatively, review and grade annotations manually in SpeedGrader. Refer to “Grading with SpeedGrader” below for instructions.

Additional Guidance: Using the Hypothesis LMS App With Assignments in Canvas (Hypothesis Help)

Note: Assignments support SpeedGrader (grading and feedback), due dates, and the ability to add instructions. Use Assignments if you want annotation activities to count toward course assessment.

Refer to the Annotation Features below for more options students can use while annotating.

Step 1: In Quercus, go to a Module, select Add, choose External Tool from the dropdown list, and then select Hypothesis.

Step 2: Add your source material (URL, PDF, or YouTube video) and authorize Hypothesis if prompted.

Additional Guidance: Using the Hypothesis LMS App With Modules in Canvas (Hypothesis Help)

Note: SpeedGrader (grading and feedback), due dates, and the ability to add instructions are not available when adding Hypothesis through Modules. Add via Assignments to take advantage of these additional functions.

Refer to the Annotation Features below for more options students can use while annotating.

Once Hypothesis is added to an Assignment or Module, students can use a range of features while annotating.

Collaboration and organization

• @mentions: Students can tag peers or instructors in annotations to bring them into discussion.
• Tagging: Students can add tags to organize themes; instructors may suggest tags to guide responses.
• Small groups: If Quercus Group are enabled, Hypothesis can restrict annotations to within groups instead of the whole class.
• Threaded discussions: Students can reply to peers’ annotations to create in-text conversations.

Content and formatting

• Image annotations: Use pin and rectangle tools to annotate scanned PDFs, figures, graphs, and diagrams; alt text can be added for accessibility.
• Media in annotations: Students can embed images, videos, or links inside their annotations to support ideas.
• Equations: Students and instructors can write mathematical notation in annotations using LaTeX.
• Supported sources: Annotations can be made on PDFs (OCR’d), public webpages, and captioned YouTube videos.

Additional Guidance: Getting Started with Hypothesis in Canvas (Hypothesis Help)

Step 1: Open a Hypothesis Assignment and access the Instructor Dashboard from the sidebar.

Step 2: Filter participation by course, Assignment, section, or student.

Step 3: Review annotation and reply counts, and check the last activity date for each student.

Step 4: If Auto Grading is enabled, sync scores directly to the Quercus Gradebook.

Note: The Instructor Dashboard is only available when Hypothesis is added through Assignments, not through Modules.

Step 1: Open the Assignment in SpeedGrader.

Step 2: Review student annotations directly in the SpeedGrader view. Toggle between the student’s annotations and the whole class to view the student’s work in context.

Step 3: Provide feedback and, if used, complete the rubric.

Step 4: Enter the grade and submit.

Additional Guidance: Grading Student Annotations in Canvas (Hypothesis Help)