WYSIWYG toolbar in the editing window need not be as complex as the toolbars in the mock-ups at http://groups.diigo.com/Diigo_HQ/forum/topic/531
See suggestions at http://www.diigo.com/annotated/bd275badf20bce8bf709b39edb1a5cc9
The toolbar should include at least the hyper-link button/icon (to resolve angle bracket issues that cause loss of content), plus maybe the bulleted list button/icon.
Other features such as font, font size, underline and paragraph alignment are less useful (debatably undesirable) in comments and sticky notes.
Addition (upload) of graphics would be nice, if performance does not suffer.
Take your time to read the opening to the story below. Your job is to respond in two ways.
1 - Add a sticky note, using the Diigo toolbar, under your picture or name and explain how you feel about this opening.
2 - Highlight some text and comment on part of the opening you enjoyed or want to talk about. Add you initials to your comments.
On Reflection
This activity was easy to set up - it is basically a page of text, the key thing is to have the Diigo toolbar (and class account) ready to roll.
It can be done with a whole class using a computer suite for a literacy lesson, different children looking at different texts.
The texts could also be in the public domain and they do not need to be narrative even. If you are looking at persuasive text why not look at the Alton Towers site and get the children to add Sticky Notes with their comments about how persuasive the site is.
It could also be extended beyond popular fiction to include peer reviewing of children’s work they have published. (Lots to explore here I think)
We worked between classes separated by a corridor but there is no reason why schools from anywhere could collaborate in response to a story or text.
Given the right preparation and equipment I think this is a most manageable activity within a literacy independent session.
My children had looked at Sticky Notes before but never added them independently - they catch on very fast and coped without any problems.
Diigo with its “Highlight and Comment” tool can easily become a very useful online text annotation / response tool and I think I will keep using it.
I am pleased to welcome Diigo into my toolkit on a permanent contract :) all these ideas have been simmering for a while now and it is excellent to have the opportunity to see the children engaging and responding to text in this unique way.