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eMarking: PDF files

eMarking: PDF files

PDF files are more cumbersome to edit than Word documents, but it is a useful format if you expect students to digitally submit assignments that are hand-written (partially or fully). Below you can find tips and advice on how to mark and add feedback to PDF files.

Initial considerations
Adding feedback to a PDF file

Initial considerations

Submitting in PDF format will add complexity to the submission process for your students and will create additional marking demands for you. There are a number of issues that you might find helpful to consider:

› Is PDF format really necessary for the assignment? Have you considered alternatives?
› Will students have easy access to the necessary facilities for the creation of their assignments (e.g. scanning equipment)?
› Have you checked that other services (e.g. Library) are able to support students adequately?
› Have you got the required software to edit PDF files?

There are various commercial products for the editing of PDF files. Those products vary in complexity and features. The section below explains the simplest way to edit PDF files by using OneNote 2010.

Adding feedback to PDF files

You will need a computer with at least Windows 7 as operating system and Office 2010. You can contact the IT Support Centre to request the upgrade of your workstation or to borrow a DVD to install Office 2010 at home or on a personal laptop.

The process of adding feedback to PDF files with OneNote is the following:

› Import PDF file into OneNote
› Add feedback, comments, ticks, marks, etc., in OneNote
› Export the file and save back as PDF

Import PDF file into OneNote

› Open OneNote and create a new blank section by clicking on the asterisk sub-tab (last sub-tab across the top).

› Click on the Insert tab (across the top) and click on File Printout.

› The Choose Document window will appear on your screen. Select the PDF file you wish to mark and click Insert.
› OneNote will now open the PDF file and process it, inserting the pages one by one into the workbook. This process can take a few minutes depending on the processing capabilities of your computer and the size of the PDF file.

You can download the above steps as a reference document.

Adding feedback in OneNote

OneNote is like a canvas. You can simply click anywhere and start typing to add your comments. You can also use 'inking' features (as in Word 2010) to easily add ticks, marks, signs, highlights, etc. You can do this with your mouse or with an interactive touch screen device. See On-screen handwriting section of marking Word 2010 advice for details.

› Click on the Draw tab to view the inking tools.

› Simply click on the inking tool you want to use and start writing on the screen.

You can download the above steps as a reference document.

Export the file and save back as PDF

Once you have finished marking and adding your feedback to the file you need to save it as a PDF again so that you can send it back to the student with your comments and marks.

› Click on the File tab, and click on Save As.

› Select Section under Save Current and PDF under Select Format, and click on Save As.

› Select the location where you want to save the file, type the file name you want for it, make sure that the Current Section option is ticked and click on Save.