Annotate Assignments

Teachers can annotate files that students submit for assignments directly from the Assignment Grading page. Annotations allow you to provide clear, in-context feedback on student work without printing or downloading files. Students can immediately view annotations when you add them.

This topic explains how to access assignment submissions, use annotation tools, and understand what students see.

Access the Assignment Grading Page

You can open an assignment submission from several locations.

From the Assignment Center:

1. In Faculty, select My Day, Assignment Center.

2. Select the assignment name.

From a class page: 

1. In Faculty, select Classes, then pick a class.

2. Selects Assignments, then the assignment name.

From Gradebook:

1. In Faculty, select Classes, then pick a class.

2. Select Launch gradebook.

3. Select the down arrow below an assignment in the header row or select the comment cell for a student below the assignment.

4. Then select Go to assignment.

Select a Student Submission

• Use the dropdown in the upper-right corner to select a student.

• Use the arrow buttons to move to the next or previous student.

• Icons next to student names indicate assignment status.

Submitted files appear on the right under Submission. Select a file to display it on the left with annotation tools.

• Text submissions display on the left but cannot be annotated.

• To open a file in full-page view, select the new tab icon .

• Files submitted by the student are listed on the right under Submission. Select a file to display it on the left with the annotation tools.

  Text submissions are displayed on the left, but they cannot be annotated.

• Select the new tab icon to open a file in full page view with the annotation tools.

Use Annotation Tools

You can use several tools to leave feedback on assignment files. Many tools include options for color, opacity, and line thickness.

Warning: Keep in mind, students can immediately view annotations added to their submitted files.

Draw and Highlight tools

• Drawing: Draw freeform marks on the file.

• Freeform Highlight: Highlight any area in the file.

• Text Highlighter: Highlight text only.

  Tip: To highlight text and add comments on the highlighted information, use Text Highlighter in combination with the Note or Text tool.

• Eraser: Remove Drawing or Freeform Highlight annotations. Drag the eraser over annotations to delete them.

  Tip: To delete any annotation, first select the background around the file so no annotation tool is selected. Then select the annotation you want to remove and select Delete.

Image tools

• Image: Add an image from your computer to the assignment submission.

• Stamp: Add a built-in or custom stamp to the file.

  • Select Custom Stamp to create a stamp with custom text in a chosen color.

Note and Text

• Note: Add comments that students see when they hover over the Note icon.

• Text: Add comments that always display in the file submission. Unlike a Note, students do not need to hover to read them.

Other annotation tools

• Lines and shapes: Add arrows, rectangles, polygons, etc.

• Print: Print the file with annotations.

• Search: Search within the file.

• Download: Download the annotated file.

Student view of annotations

Students can view annotations immediately after you add them.

From the Student Assignment Center or the Assignments tab on a class page, students open the assignment and select View annotation under Files. They can print or download the annotated file, switch to full-screen view, and close the file when finished.