Introduction to Annotary, a bookmarklet that can enhance Judaic instruction and staff development

Before we explore Annotary, a bookmarklet web tool, let’s define this term.

What is a bookmarklet?

A bookmarklet is a software button, extension or add-on that appears on one's browser that enables the user to curate or collect selected websites.

Click on this link to see different bookmarklets on my Mozilla Firefox browser.

http://youtu.be/GCuzXOFt6yU

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bookmarklet

A bookmarklet is a bookmark stored in a web browser that contains JavaScript commands to extend the browser's functionality. For instance, a bookmarklet might allow the user to select text on a page, click the bookmarklet, and be presented with a search engine results page for the search term selected.

Bookmarklets are unobtrusive scripts stored as the URL of a bookmark in a web browser or as a hyperlink on a web page. The term is a portmanteau of the terms bookmark and applet,[1] however, an applet is not to be confused with a bookmarklet, just as script written in JavaScript is not to be confused with a script written in Java. Whether bookmarklet utilities are stored as bookmarks or hyperlinks, they are designed to add one-click functionality to a browser or web page. When clicked, a bookmarklet performs some function, one of a wide variety such as a search query or data extraction. Bookmarklets are usually JavaScript programs.

How do bookmarklets promote teaching and learning

• Bookmarklets provide teachers and students with easy access to websites for homework, classroom and doing research projects.
• Bookmarklets provide a  simple, uncluttered and elegant way to access websites within one’s browser.
• Many bookmarklets allow users to share their curated websites with others.
• Teachers can create bookmarklets for individual, group and whole class research projects.
• Students can share their bookmarklets as part of their research projects.
• Bookmarklets enable students to become more web literate.

For additional reasons for using bookmarklets click on these links: 

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/bookmarklets-perform-common-web-page-tasks
• http://www.scoop.it/t/teaching-with-tablets/p/1616545019/2012/04/17/useful-bookmarklets-for-your-ipad-and-iphone
• http://www.lib.wayne.edu/blog/otl_newsletter/?p=1261

What is Annotary?

Annotary is a bookmarklet that can appear on the bookmark bar of one’s browser. A bookmarklet can enhance the functionality of one’s browser.

Where is Annotary located on the internet?

https://annotary.com/

Where can I find tutorials demonstrating how to use Annotary?

Click on the links below to find tutorials on using Annotary:

• https://annotary.com
• http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57575179-285/use-annotary-for-efficient-online-research/


On the next blog post we will discuss how Annotary can be used to promote instruction in the blended learning classroom.