Part 8: Providing feedback in SpeedGrader

How do I add annotated comments to file upload submissions?

Canvas DocViewer is a tool that allows annotations on online assignment submissions in Canvas. You can use DocViewer to view files and assignments in SpeedGrader. You can view when students view annotated feedback in the assignment details (Links to an external site.) section of the sidebar.

View DocViewer Toolbar

The DocViewer Toolbar helps you manage the assignment submission.

To download a PDF of the annotated submission, click the Download button [1].

If there are multiple pages, the Page number field [2] will let you advance through the submission to find the page you want to annotate. To go to another page, enter the page number in the Page field. You can also use the arrow icons [3] to advance through the submission.

To rotate the current page 90 degrees clockwise, click the Rotate button [4]. Pages with annotations cannot be rotated.

To zoom in and out on the submission, use the Zoom buttons [5].

To view the submission in full screen, click the Full Screen button [6].

To annotate the submission, use the annotation tools [7].

Add Point Annotation

Add Point Annotation

To leave a point annotation, select the Point annotation type [1].

Select the color for the point annotation in the color panel [2].

Click the desired area of the submission [3]. The point annotation icon will appear indicating the location of the annotation. To add a comment to the point annotation, type the comment in the Comment field [4]. To start a new line in your comment, click the Shift+Enter/Return key. To submit your comment, click the Enter/Return key.

You can reply to student DocViewer comments by clicking the Reply button [5].

To move the annotation, hover over the point annotation icon in the document. Click and drag the annotation to the new area.

To delete a point annotation, click the annotation and then click the Delete icon [6]. DocViewer will confirm you want to delete the annotation. Deleting an annotation will also delete any associated comments.

Add Highlight Annotation

Add Highlight Tool

To highlight text within the document, select the Highlight annotation type [1].  

Select the color for the highlight annotation in the color panel [2].

Click and drag to highlight text within the submission [3].

To add a comment to the highlight annotation, click the Comment button [4]. To start a new line in your comment, click the Shift+Enter/Return key. To submit your comment, click the Enter/Return key.

To delete a highlight annotation, click the highlighted area and then click the Delete icon [5]. DocViewer will confirm you want to delete the highlight. Deleting an annotation will also delete any associated comments.

Add Text Annotation

Add Text Tool

To add text directly in the submission, select the Free text annotation type [1].

Select the color for the text annotation in the color panel [2].

Select a white or transparent background for the text annotation [3] as well as the font size for the annotation [4].

Click in the desired area of the submission, then type your entry [5]. To start a new line in your comment, click the Shift+Enter key.

To move the annotation, hover over the text box in the document. Click and drag the annotation to the new area.

To delete the text annotation, click the text box and then click the Delete icon [6]. DocViewer will confirm you want to delete the text box.

Add Strikeout Text Annotation

Add Strikeout Text Tool

To indicate that text should be deleted, select the Strikeout annotation type [1].

Select the color for the strikeout line in the color panel [2].

Click and drag to strike out within the submission. A line will appear indicating the text has been struck out [3].

To add a comment to the strikeout annotation, click the Comment button [4]. To start a new line in your comment, click the Shift+Enter/Return key. To submit your comment, click the Enter/Return key.

To delete a strikeout annotation, click the strikeout area and then click the Delete icon [5]. DocViewer will confirm you want to delete the strikeout line. Deleting an annotation will also delete any associated comments.

Add Draw Annotation

Add Draw Annotation

To make freehand drawings and annotations, select the Free Draw annotation type [1].

Select the color for the drawn annotation in the color panel [2].

Select your annotation line width from the line width panel [3].

Click and drag to start a drawing. Free-form lines will appear indicating the drawing area [4]. You can add multiple strokes to a drawn annotation.

To add a comment to your drawn annotation, click the Comment button [5]. To start a new line in your comment, click the Shift+Enter/Return key. To submit your comment, click the Enter/Return key. 

To accept the drawn annotation, click the Check icon [6].

To move a drawing, hover over the outline of the drawing, then drag and drop the drawing to the new area of the document.

To delete a drawing at any time, click the drawing and then click the Delete icon [7]. DocViewer will confirm you want to delete the drawing. Deleting an annotation will also delete any associated comments.

Note: Draw annotations can only have one line width per annotation. Individual annotations must be saved before creating a new line with a different width.

Add Area Annotation

Add Area Annotation

To leave an area annotation, select the Area annotation type [1].

Select the color for the area annotation in the color panel [2].

Click and drag the rectangle around an area of the submission [3]. A box will appear indicating the area for the annotation.

To add a comment to the area annotation, type the comment in the Comment field [4]. To start a new line in your comment, click the Shift+Enter/Return key. To submit your comment, click the Enter/Return key.

You can reply to student DocViewer comments by clicking the Reply button [5].

To move the annotation, hover over the border. Click and drag the annotation to the new area of the document.

To delete an area annotation, click the annotation and then click the Delete icon [6]. DocViewer will confirm you want to delete the comment. Deleting an annotation will also delete any associated comments.

You can learn more about adding annotated comments (Links to an external site.) in the Canvas Instructor Guide.

How do I leave feedback comments for student submissions in SpeedGrader?

You can leave feedback for your students using text, an attached file, video, or audio.

Assignment comments also display as a new thread in Conversations Links to an external site..

If your students submitted a writing assignment and you want to leave comments in the document, learn how to use Canvas DocViewer in SpeedGrader Links to an external site.. A student can view your DocViewer comments from the assignment Submission Details page.

Notes:

  • If you enter an assignment score, the score will automatically submit to the Gradebook when navigating to a new submission in SpeedGrader. However, assignment comments must be submitted manually before they can be viewed by students.
  • To ensure that students can’t access assignment grades and comments until you are finished grading, select a manual posting policy for the assignment Links to an external site..

Open SpeedGrader

Open SpeedGrader

Open SpeedGrader from any assignment, graded discussion, or quiz.

Open Student Submission

Open Student Submission

Use the student list Links to an external site. to locate a student submission.

Select Submission

Desktop

If a student has submitted multiple attempts for the assignment, you can select which submission to view and add feedback. To select a submission, click the Submission to view drop-down menu and select a submission. Submissions are ordered by date submitted.

View Comments

View Comments

In the Assignment Comments section, you can post comments to the student [1]. Any comments that have been made by the student also appear in this section.

Note: If the assignment is supported by Assignment Enhancements, the Assignment Comments section may display as Comments for this Attempt.

View Group Assignment Comments

View Group Assignment Comments

Comments on group submissions that are not graded individually are sent to the whole group [1].

Individually graded group assignments include commenting options. To send your comment to one student in a group, select Send comment to this student only [2]. To send your comment to the whole group, select Send comment to the whole group [3].

Note: A student may be unable to view group assignment comments if they are not assigned to a group and if the assignment is not set to grade students individually. However, students can view those comments on the Grades page.

Add Text Comment

Add Text Comment

To add a comment to the assignment, enter text in the Add a Comment field [1].

To use a comment from the Comment Library Links to an external site., click the Comment Library icon [2].

To expand the size of the comment field, click and drag the corner of the text box [3].

Add File Comment

Add File Comment

To attach a file to the comment, click the Attach icon.

Add Media Comment

Add Media Comment

To record a video or audio comment, click the Media icon.

Use Chrome Speech Recognition

Use Chrome Speech Recognition

If you are using Chrome, you can use the speech recognition tool Links to an external site. to leave comments.

Add Emoji

Add emoji

If enabled by your institution, you can add emojis to submission comments.

To select an emoji, click the emoji menu [1].

To use a recently used emoji, click the emoji from the recently used menu [2].

View Unposted Comment Warning

View Unposted Comment Warning

When you create a text, media, or audio comment and try to advance to the next student or a previous student for the assignment, you are notified that the comment has been created but not posted.

To save the comment as a draft for the submission, click the Proceed button [1].

You can choose to not be notified for comments that have not been posted by clicking the Do not show again for this assignment checkbox [2].

Notes:

  • The option to not show the warning applies on a per-assignment basis. Viewing another assignment and navigating between students before posting a comment also displays the warning.
  • The option is also stored on a per-browser basis, so viewing an assignment in a different browser also displays the warning.

View Draft Comment

View Draft Comment

If you navigate away from the SpeedGrader page or view another student submission before submitting your comment, Canvas notifies you that your comment has been saved as a draft. You can return to the submission at any time and submit [1] or delete [2] the draft comment. Comments cannot be viewed by students until they are submitted.

Submit Comment

Submit Comment

Click the Submit button.

View Comment

View Comment

Comments are organized chronologically with the older comments appearing near the top [1] and the newer comments appearing at the bottom [2].

Note: Depending on the size of your browser window, comments within the SpeedGrader Discussion box may appear to be limited. You can use the scrollbar within the Discussion box to view additional or longer comments.

How do I use the Comment Library in SpeedGrader?

The Comment Library allows instructors to save and reuse commonly used text feedback in SpeedGrader. As an instructor, you can add new comments and delete existing comments in the Comment Library. Comments you have added to the Comment Library are accessible from each course in which you are enrolled as an instructor.

Note: To ensure that students can't access submitted assignment grades and comments until you are finished grading, select a manual posting policy for the assignment Links to an external site..

Open Student Submission

Open Student Submission

Use the student list Links to an external site. to locate a student submission.

Open Comment Library

Open Comment Library

To open the Comment Library, click the Comment Library icon.

Note: If the assignment is supported by Assignment Enhancements, the Assignment Comments section may display as Comments for this Attempt.

Add Comment to Library

Add Comment to Library

To add a new comment to the Comment Library, type your comment in the Add comment to library field [1]. Then click the Add to Library button [2].

Edit Comment in Library

Edit Comment in Library

To edit an existing comment from the Comment Library, click the comment's Edit icon [1]. Make changes using the comment field [2] and click the Save button [3] to save your changes.

Delete Comment from Library

Delete Comment from Library

To delete an existing comment from the Comment Library, click the comment's Delete icon.

Manage Comment Suggestion Setting

Manage Comment Suggestion Setting

To enable or disable suggestions from appearing when typing in the SpeedGrader comments field, use the Show suggestions when typing toggle.

Note: Suggestions appear when the first three characters typed in the SpeedGrader comment field match the first three characters of a comment in the Comment Library.

Add Comment from Comment Library

Add Comment from Comment LIbrary

To add an existing comment to the student's submission in SpeedGrader, click the applicable comment.

Add Comment from SpeedGrader

Add Comment from SpeedGrader

If you have enabled comment suggestions, comment suggestions display when at least the first three characters of a comment in the Comment Library are typed in the Assignment Comments field in SpeedGrader [1].

To insert a suggested comment into the Assignment Comments field, click the suggested comment [2].

View Unposted Comment Warning

View Unposted Comment Warning

When you create a text, media, or audio comment and try to advance to the next student or a previous student for the assignment, you are notified that the comment has been created but not posted.

To save the comment as a draft for the submission, click the Proceed button [1].

You can choose to not be notified for comments that have not been posted by clicking the Do not show again for this assignment checkbox [2].

Notes:

  • The option to not show the warning applies on a per-assignment basis. Viewing another assignment and navigating between students before posting a comment also displays the warning.
  • The option is also stored on a per-browser basis, so viewing an assignment in a different browser also displays the warning.

View Draft Comment

View Draft Comment

If you navigate away from the SpeedGrader page or view another student submission before submitting your comment, Canvas notifies you that your comment has been saved as a draft. You can return to the submission at any time and submit [1] or delete [2] the draft comment. Comments cannot be viewed by students until they are submitted.

Submit Comment

Submit Comment

To submit the comment, click the Submit button.

How do I use Chrome's speech recognition feature to leave a comment in SpeedGrader?

If you use the Google Chrome web browser to access Canvas, you can use Chrome's speech recognition feature to leave text comments on student assignments in the SpeedGrader. Chrome's speech recognition feature turns your spoken comments into text comments.

Open SpeedGrader

Open SpeedGrader

Open SpeedGrader from any assignment, graded discussion, or quiz.

Open Student Submission

Open Student Submission

Use the student list Links to an external site. to locate a student submission.

Open Speech Recognition

Open Speech Recognition

In the Assignment Comments area, click the Microphone comment icon.

Note: If the assignment is supported by Assignment Enhancements, the Assignment Comments section may display as Comments for this Attempt.

Record Comment

Record Comment

Click the Record button.

View Speech-to-Text Dialog Box

The dialog box indicates that the feature is recording your comments, and text box will convert your speech to text in real time [1].

If you want to re-record the converted text, click the Cancel button [2]. Otherwise, apply the recorded text in SpeedGrader by clicking the Stop button [3].

Submit Comment

Submit Comment

If necessary, modify your text in the comment box. Then click the Submit Comment button.

How do I download submission comments as a PDF in SpeedGrader?

You can download a PDF with all the comments on a student's submission in SpeedGrader. If an assignment is anonymous, the Download Submissions Comments link is not displayed until the assignment is unmuted or assignment grades are posted.

Open SpeedGrader

Open SpeedGrader

Open SpeedGrader from any assignment, graded discussion, or quiz.

Open Student Submission

Open Student Submission

Use the student list Links to an external site. to locate a student submission.

Download Submission Comments

Download Submission Comments

In the Assignment Comments section [1] in the Sidebar, click the Download Submission Comments link [2]. The PDF will open in a new tab in your browser.

Notes:

  • If the assignment is supported by Assignment Enhancements, the Assignment Comments section may display as Comments for this Attempt.
  • If an assignment is anonymous, the Download Submission Comments link will not display until the assignment grades are posted Links to an external site..

View Submission Comments PDF

View Submission Comments PDF

The PDF file displays information about the assignment including the assignment name, course name, student name, assignment score, and the account where the course resides [1]. Each included comment displays the name of the user who created the comment, the comment, and the date and time of the comment [2].

To download the PDF to your computer, click the Download icon [3].