Assignments: Student Annotation Submissions and the iOS app

[lgibson3]

Teachers created an assignment in Canvas using the Assignments: Student Annotation Submissions feature.  The file is not loading when students go to the assignment using the iPad iOS app.  Is this feature available for iPads?

Please advise.

[KristinL · Accepted solution]

Hi @lgibson3 -

Yes, this is correct. Annotations as a submission type is not available for Canvas Student users. I recommend adding File Uploads to the choices for students. That way, they can complete the assignment, regardless of device. 

With File Uploads, always include the PDF in the body of the assignment information. That is what prompts Canvas Student to open the annotation features for students.

How do I add annotations to a submission in the Student app on my iOS device? 

How do I submit a PDF assignment with annotations in the Student app on my iOS device? 

The terminology can be tricky to keep straight! I hope that the File Upload option helps you and your students.

[lgibson3]

Thank you for your response.  However, I disagree, in part with your response.  After further investigation, I discovered the following:

1.  On a Web Browser on a device such as a MacBook, the "new" Online Annotation feature is awesome.  It allows teachers to put a PDF into a Canvas Assignment.  Students then start the assignment, annotate the PDF using the same tools as Speed Grader, and then submit the PDF back to the assignment.  It works brilliantly on the MacBook with our high school students.

To use it, teachers, when creating an assignment, under "Submission Type", choose Online > Annotation.

2. Using the iOS Canvas Student app on the iPads, the process you described is perfect.  Teachers must make sure they put a link to the PDF in the body of the assignment description AND choose Online File submission type.  Then students can open the pdf, use the pencil to annotate, then choose the Canvas Student App in the "Open Share Icon" (square with the up arrow) to submit the PDF to the assignment.

Again, thank you for your response.  I just wanted to clarify for other teacher users that there IS the option Annotations as a submission type for Canvas Student users when they access the assignment ON THE WEB BROWSER, but not on the iOS app.

Thank you for taking time to answer.  I appreciate having this forum to get help!

[KristinL]

Hi!

Yes. We were explaining the same process, just different terms. Canvas Student is often how the Canvas Student app is described in documentation in the Community. For laptop/browser users, the Online Annotations is the way to go (just be aware that these don't appear as expected in the Canvas Teacher app.) For tablet/phone users, always use File Upload available for the in-app annotations.

The best practice with Annotations submission type is to have another option available in case that one doesn't appear or function well for participants. 

For others who find this thread --