You Can’t AI Your Way Through This: The Case for Social Annotation in the Age of AI

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are changing the way students approach coursework—and not always for the better. Faculty are noticing a sharp uptick in generic, AI-generated discussion posts that dilute classroom conversation and obscure student understanding.

But there’s one assignment students can’t fake their way through: Social Annotation.

The Challenge: How AI is Undermining Academic Dialogue

Discussion boards were supposed to deepen student thinking. Now, they’re often filled with vague summaries and formulaic replies—many suspiciously similar to what ChatGPT might spit out.

Faculty are left wondering:

• Is this the student’s original thought?
• Did they even read the assignment?
• How do I assess real engagement in a world of AI shortcuts?

The integrity of academic discourse is at risk, and instructors are looking for better ways to evaluate genuine participation.

The Solution: Make Thinking Visible (and AI Hard to Fake)

Social annotation tools like Hypothesis ask students to engage directly with course texts—highlighting, questioning, and replying in the margins.

And here’s the key: it’s harder to use AI for an annotation assignment.

Why? Because:

• Students must respond to specific passages, which is a key part of AI-resistant assignments.
• Annotations reveal the process of thinking, not just the final product.
• Comments often build on peer contributions in real time.
• Faculty can easily detect generic or irrelevant input.

It’s active, contextual, and collaborative—everything that generic AI outputs are not.

The Impact: Higher Trust, Better Insight

Instructors using Hypothesis report:

• A noticeable drop in AI-generated work.
• More original thinking from students.
• Early identification of students struggling with material.
• Fewer grading frustrations around authenticity and effort.

Social annotation makes student thinking visible, so you’re never left guessing who’s actually engaging.

The Bonus: It’s Seamless for You

Hypothesis integrates directly into your LMS (Canvas, Blackboard, D2L, Moodle), with no extra tools, accounts, or complexity.

Key features include:

• Threaded replies and @mentions
• Image annotations
• Tags and themes to organize discourse
• Group and private annotations for flexibility
• Accessible, FERPA-compliant design

Teaching in the Age of AI? You’ve Got Options

You don’t have to accept bland, AI-written discussion posts as the new normal. You can reframe reading and discussion as a space for critical thinking and human connection.

Hypothesis helps faculty reestablish academic integrity and foster authentic dialogue.

Ready to see it in action?

Watch our on-demand webinar: Social Annotation in the Age of AI to explore practical strategies for designing AI-resistant assignments.

Want to learn how to use AI to support your teaching?

Fill out the form below to request a free demo and we’ll show you how.