Annotate a pdf

[lhenson]

I have a teacher who is wanting to create a assignment where she gives the students a pdf to annotate.  I know that we could have the students download the file, then use Preview (using MacBooks) to do the annotations. But then they have to upload their paper back into Canvas.  Takes too long for a quick assignment.  Is there another work around for this?  I tried creating a Google Cloud Assignment, but that just puts the pdf on a Google Doc and they students can't edit anything.  There are extensions for Chrome, like Kami, that will allow for annotating pdfs, but I can't figure out how to do all of it in Canvas.  I found a video from Chris Long https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr5-AxoNMNs&feature=youtu.be talking about how to use Kami, but still a little cumbersome (using this with 7th graders for bell work) for them to copy the URL and turn it in.

Any suggestions on how to do this efficiently in Canvas?

[MattHanes]

Students can annotate a PDF using the mobile apps: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-9836-18561633679 

I wish there was a native Canvas way to do it from the browser though. We experimented with Kami as well but it seems like just giving students access to the DocViewer to annotate a PDF the way a teacher does would be a better solution.

[lhenson]

I totally agree. We are going to try some using Kami, but I wish you could edit in the docviewer on a browser. Oh well, maybe a future feature?

[MattHanes]

Add your vote here! https://community.canvaslms.com/ideas/9217-student-pdf-annotations-on-web-browser-version 

[dhulsey]

 @lhenson ‌, try taking a look at Canvas and Perusall‌.  Perusall is a social documentation service that is free and connects to Canvas via LTI.

I hope that helps!

[laurakgibbs]

Hi  @lhenson ! Another collaborative PDF annotation tool is Hypothes.is which also has a Canvas integration:

Hypothesis – The Internet, peer reviewed. 

Here's a search of their site for Canvas-related announcements and info:

Canvas - Hypothes.is

They are active at Twitter:

Hypothesis (@hypothes_is) | Twitter 

As is Dr. Dean:

(((Dr. Dean))) (@dr_jdean) | Twitter 

[lph]

As an update, it looks like Kami is working on Canvas integration. 

How to use the Free Version of Kami and Canvas | Kami Help Center 

The bottom of the page requests suggestions for a tighter integration. 

[hengjie]

You may be pleased to know that Kami released a full LTI Integration with Canvas early this year. Find instructions here for setting this up and using it to push out and turn in Kami assignments Using Kami's Canvas Integration [UPGRADED] | Kami Help Center .
Or watch a video webinar showing how this works here Getting Started with Kami and Canvas | Webinar - YouTube 

[rislis]

The KAMI external tool assignment has been a game-changer for my teachers. It's incredible!   @hengjie ‌, can you tell me if it's possible to do that assignment on an iPad?

THANK YOU!

[hengjie]

Yes, Kami will work with iPads. You'll have to have students use Canvas on Safari on iOS, then open their files like they would normally to the External Tool, and Kami will load the student file. Our entire integration with Canvas will work, including the built-in Submit button.

[emily2021]

But wouldn't the student first need to log into their google account prior to accessing Kami?

[GideonWilliams]

It is now possible to edit and save a PDF in Microsoft Edge browser.

Sadly you cannot load PDFs in the Cloud Assignment feature - how awesome would that be!.

You would have to set it as an Assignment but then lose the immediacy of feedback....