Crocodoc - Collaborative Comment and Markup
Crocodoc is a web-based collaborative comment and markup tool. With Crocodoc, multiple students can type comments, add sticky notes, or draw and highlight on any file uploaded to the site. This file could be Word, PowerPoint, PDF or even a web page.
Here is a sample photo analysis activity. Feel free to comment and draw on the document.
The sample above was created in Word. For distribution to students, you would post the Word or PDF file somewhere for student access (Edmodo, Moodle, Website, Wiki etc.), then have students upload it to Crocodoc and lastly have them share the link with you.
Strengths:
Facilitates Group Work:
Tips for Implementation:
Here is a sample photo analysis activity. Feel free to comment and draw on the document.
The sample above was created in Word. For distribution to students, you would post the Word or PDF file somewhere for student access (Edmodo, Moodle, Website, Wiki etc.), then have students upload it to Crocodoc and lastly have them share the link with you.
Strengths:
Facilitates Group Work:
- Students can work on the same file from different locations outside of class time.
- Everyone can view and comment on the same item at the same time while sitting in a circle or around a desk. There is no need to huddle around one laptop screen to see what has been written. When one student types something, the others can see it.
- Gives each student control over how they view the item (zoom in / scroll)
- When you work on the Web, it expands and enriches the resources your students have access too. With image analysis, it is certainly difficult to print out and photo copy a Monet for students view an analyze.
- You and students can always access student work from any computer. When it comes time for your feedback, simply click on the link and type your comments. Students will see these automatically (there is no need to download, save and upload digital work for hand back).
- Automatically saves as you work.
- No sign up required (but is available if you wish to keep track of all of your uploads).
- Accessible from any computer with Internet connection.
Tips for Implementation:
- This tool is best used for items that you will keep digital. It does give you the option to print, but sometimes it does not print all comments, or they run off the page.
- Everyone can type/draw on the file, but only you can delete your work.
- If working on a one-page document during class time (everyone is accessing the file at once) it may still be a good idea to assign each group a "recorder" who will type and synthesize the group's responses. This is more of a formatting issue to avoid students typing over one another. This is not much of a concern on files with multiple pages.
- If working with images, be sure to point out the Zoom feature in case students want a closer look.
- When students are working on documents on the web, it is best to use "Full Screen" view (F11 in IE and Firefox) so they have more room to work and view the file.
- Although it does save automatically, it is always a good idea to back up work - download the file with comments from the site.
- Once uploaded to Crocodoc, files can be embedded to share and display (see example below).