M. Sivula (2012) in The Best Assessment Tools for the Online Classroom discusses the increased numbers of students at all educational levels submitting projects and papers by means of e-documents. Turning to web 2.0 tools, software and hardware educators can become more efficient providing feedback, direction and commentary. This week’s blog reflection has been created from my desire to learn how to extend such feedback through electronic annotation. Digital inking, is one component of electronic annotation. Wisegeek.com defines digital ink as a technology tools that allows handwriting to be added to an e-document via a tablet and electronic pen/stylus which then can be displayed on a computing device. As I have both a tablet and electronic pen/stylus, my interest is piqued as to exactly how this technology tool works and how I may use it for my benefit and efficiency in provided feedback and commentary. Additional annotation tools include highlighting, underlining, strike through, stick notes, and audio. I have written this week’s reflection as a text document instead of directly writing within my blog. This format serves two purposes. One, this document is indicative how I will receive documents/assignments as a future online instructor from my students. I have added additional thoughts and highlighted key words within this document to share further my reflective insights however I have done so through a variety of annotation tools. These annotated notes represent how I will offer feedback on student electronic documents. | Preparation for Final Course Project In reviewing the rubric requirements and project overview, I initially considered the use of Prezi or Hyperstudio as the medium to complete my project. However after further review I have determined the tools within my website portfolio will offer the greatest flexibility for incorporating varying lengths of text, graphics and navigation. I have begun to refine my course overview and student population target. To view the annotated document below, download the file, save it to your device and view in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded free of charge. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader. |
My search for an annotation tool needed to meet the requirement to annotate a pdf file. Images, slides, text documents, spreadsheets etc. can all be saved as a pdf format. Using this format is one that is universal and eliminates compatibility concerns as well as respects the preferences and program access by the learner. Through my evaluation of a variety of programs, Adobe Acrobat Pro and Drawboard have moved to the forefront as tools that I will implement use in the future. For the annotated example shown here, I have chosen to use Adobe Acrobat Pro. A variety of annotation tools are available within the program including, underline, arrows, highlight, free write, sticky notes, image addition/stamp and sound. Each of these tools have been used and can be viewed by downloading the file to your computer. Adobe Acrobat Pro and Drawboard offered an array of tools that could be incorporated into a document to provide feedback. However, Drawboard, though it included a sound element, when sharing the document the sound did not transfer, unlike Acrobat where sound was successful when sharing. Drawboard did offer greater flexibility of color choice for the pen, line and arrow use. Navigation within Drawboard seemed more flexible as well. The placement of graphics were also available. If sound was not a feedback component I was seeking to add, Drawboard would reign as the choice tool due to the variety of color selection. However, with this example I wanted to experience the greatest breadth of use for incorporating feedback tools within a pdf file so I have selected Adobe Acrobat Pro. The research and practice this experience has offered me has yet increased my understanding and proficiency with another assessment tool to communicate and share feedback electronically. | Visit my Assessment Taxonomy Chart webpage for further information detailing its purpose, use and creation. ![]()
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What is Digital Inking? (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2015, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-digital-ink.htm