iAnnotate on sale through end of the year!

iAnnotate PDF is on sale for $1.99 through the end of the year. This is a HUGE savings, since iAnnotate is normally $9.99. If you haven't gotten it yet, now's the time to do it.

I've been using iAnnotate since I got my original iPad when they were first released. It's got a steeper learning curve than some PDF annotation apps and you do have to spend some time getting it configured for how you want to use it, but it gives you options and capabilities that other competing apps simply don't have (the ability to make "stamps" of frequently used comments, for instance). For those of you who were there, this is the PDF annotation app that Natasha talked about during our "lightning round" at the last meeting. She also gave a more detailed review in and earlier blog post... if you're still undecided on this one, note that she commented that the app is "$9.99 and totally worth it", so at $1.99 it's a total steal...

Katrina

iAnnotate PDF

iAnnotate PDF for iPad
Cost: $9.99 and totally worth it.

Rest for the Wrist and Faster Grading

I have been using this app for the first time since last week when I received my initial stack of  formal papers. The difference in grading for me compared to my previous methods (by hand, online, and/or using comments in a word processing program) is phenomenal. The ability to customize for one's own needs is invaluable. The program also connects with other programs, and I have mine connected to Dropbox for easy access to the files from any computer. All of these advantages will be discussed in this post momentarily.

But, first, I'd like to address some common issues with grading. With this app, I can grade sitting in almost any position simply because I am using the very portable iPad. This is good for me since I have old back and neck injuries that keep me from sitting still in any one position for a long period of time. 

Second, I can grade for longer periods because I am not suffering from wrist fatigue which plagues me when using any of the other methods used previously, whether grading by hand or on the computer. Consequently, I am getting more done.

With iAnnotate, I use a stylus, but it can be used with a finger easily. I tap and drag and occasionally type. Highlighter, pencil, pen, an underline tool, and "sticky" notes are all useful tools and one may color code each one, but the one that I am using most is stamps ("Tap-tap.").

Customizing with Stamps: one may use pre-made "stamps" or make one's own. For instance, I am using pre-made stamps of arrows and circles to bring attention to errors. I also made a number of stamps that reflect comments I make often: "Good!" "Excellent." "Recheck APA style here." "You might want to substantiate that claim." "Tell me why." And more. 

Above: Combination of highlighter and customized stamp tools.

 It does take a bit of time to set up the customized stamps, especially if one is color-coding. For example, I am using pink to highlight APA style errors, and the text of stamps/comments is in the same color. Yellow is used for writing errors such as spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation. General comments, e.g., "Excellent." or more detailed feedback are made using purple. Of course, the information can be understood without the colors, but the colors do give a clear indication about what kinds of issues there are at a glance.

Finally, I connected  iAnnotate to  Dropbox with a single click of the mouse button. All of the students' papers from the course management system program were downloaded in a single zipped file to Dropbox. From iAnnotate, I import from Dropbox, and then save the graded papers into Dropbox as well with one mouse click. Lastly, I upload to the grade book from Dropbox when done.

In addition to Dropbox, the app connects with Twitter, Facebook, DocAs, Notetaker HD, and more. One may also email the docs directly from the iAnnotate program.

Grading will always be a chore, but I am pleased to find out that with this app, I am getting more graded in less time and with less physical fatigue.

Apple's Education Resources Site

Here is a link to Apple's Education Resources Site:

http://www.apple.com/education/resources/

Apple Webcast Series: Teaching with iPad and iTunes U

Apple is offering webcasts that are tailored to teaching with the iPad and iTunes U.  Here is the link to learn more and register:

https://edseminars.apple.com/itunesu_webcast_series/?cid=CDM-US-DM-P0013587-192867&cp=em-P0013587-192867&sr=em

The series will include:

November 13: Getting to Know iTunes U
November 27: Creating Courses with iTunes U Course Manager
December 4: Creating Learning Materials for Your Course

Grading with the iPad - Live Blog 11/02/12

Group Discussion on Grading Apps

Three options that have been used:

1. iAnnotate -- $9.99
2. Notetaker -- $4.99
3. DocAS Reader -- $ 5.99

1. iAnnotate has a free version as well as a $9.99 version. We are only looking at the paid version for now. iAnnotate allows you to highlight in various colors, create "stamps" of anything you want them to say and save them. Then you can place that stamp on any paper. Easy way to grade with the common problems you write on papers. Can create a handwritten looking stamp or a text based stamp.

Has more features, but does not have a zoom feature and you have go manually zoom it to write on it. You can also use voice to create voice notes.  


2. Notetaker creates an enlarged box that allows you to easily write notes directly on the paper.  Works well with dropbox. You can staple things together and connect docs. See previous blog on this one.


3. DocAs creates a zoom box to write. Has multiple color to highlight and write. You can add voice notes and merge multiple documents easily. Easy to email the students directly from their paper once it is graded. Easy to update back to dropbox.

Options for storing papers online:

Sugarsync
Dropbox
Box
Amazon
Google Drive

SME -- Storage Made Easy -- this links all of your various cloud storage into one area. This is online. The basic is free and there are add ons that cost money. The free version allows you to link two servers and then a dollar to two dollars to add any additional ones, but this is a one time fee, not a continual subscription

Keynote can be saved into SME, which allows you to save it on a particular folder where it normally does not let you save your files directly to dropbox, but through SME you can.

Benefits: 

1. Paperless, you don't have to carry a lot of papers around
2. You have an easy to access record in case students dispute grade
3. Easy to connect to dropbox or other online storage

Wants - Questions:

1. Adding links into the grading options. Can you do that with any of these?
2. How well does the voice option work for students when they get their paper back? What file does it put it in?
3. Any good free version grading apps that work well?

Using Note Taker HD to Grade Student Essays

Note Taker is an easy-to-use note taking app for the IPAD.  The program uses a "Zoom" feature that shrinks handwritten text, so it easily fits on the page.  You can easily organize notes and export either via email or the Dropbox.   If you want to get fancy, you can add photos and diagrams to your notes.

While the note taking feature is great, what I really like about Note Taker is that you can easily annotate PDF documents while using Note Taker's text shrinking feature.  If you have been disappointed with other apps that make your handwriting look large and childish, you'll like the way this annotation feature works.

I use NoteTaker primarily for grading essays.  What I've learned is that the most efficient way to "grade" essays using technology is to combine use of a regular desktop or laptop computer and an IPAD. 

Generally, I ask students to submit work in PDF format to D2L. Then, I download the files from D2L and move them to the Dropbox app.  Then I use my IPAD and NoteTaker to open the files and annotate them with my comments before saving them back to the Dropbox and uploading them to D2L for students to see.

I like using this method for several reasons.  I no longer carry paper copies of essays.  I have a record of all graded work in D2L.  And Note Taker is really easy to use.  I've even had success with large PDF files with 20 or more pages.

I also sometimes combine the use of Note Taker with the rubric feature in D2L.  Using the IPAD with a D2L rubric works well because you are able to see the student's paper on the IPAD, so you don't have to toggle between the grading rubric and the student assignment.