How Do I Collect Written Assignments?
Whether you are trying to distribute, collect, grade, or give feedback, there are great tools available to you using Microsoft O365 and Moodle. However, please be aware that how you create an assignment will have a big impact on how you and your students manage it. Whenever possible, you need to think in terms of making assignments that can be done completely through digital tools. Believe it or not, most things can be done electronically if you apply out-of-the-box thinking and creativity. Remember, most students won’t be able to print assignments and even if they could, printing adds an extra layer of complexity when it comes to submitting assignments. If you’re stuck on how to convert an assignment into a “digital” assignment, contact the CCI and they’ll work with you to figure out a solution.
Also, although email is still an option to distribute and collect assignments, please consider using Moodle or Teams instead, as they offer many tools to better manage your assignments. That said, add tools to your workflow as you are able.
How do I...
Most students already write their papers in Word. Many assignments you create can be done in Word. You can even create Word documents containing specific formatting, information, tables, images, etc. to guide a student in their completion of an assignment.
Adobe licensing has recently changed and access to Acrobat DC (to create PDF forms) is limited. Consider using other easier to use tools like Microsoft Forms or Moodle Questionnaire/Feedback, if you want students to fill out a form.
Note: Also, see How do I have students draw when doing an assignment? below.
Word: You can create Word documents containing tables, images, special formatting, information, etc. that students can download/save-a-copy.
MS Forms: Is a simple, lightweight tool that lets you create a form. Although it is usually used for surveys, quizzes, and polls, it has basic form question types (Multiple Choice, T/F, Short Answer, Long Answer).
Moodle: Has simple forms as well (Questionnaire/Feedback).
If the presentation doesn’t need to be delivered live:
Relay- Using Relay students can create and submit a video presentation of anything they can record using a webcam, camcorder, smartphone, or tablet. In addition, they can record their computer screen and even capture slides from PowerPoint, a website, or any other tool or site that displays on the screen.
If the presentation must be delivered live:
Zoom/Teams- During a scheduled meeting, a student with a webcam (and/or a headset), can deliver a presentation as a Presenter using the Screen Share feature. They can then share whatever document/report/site they’re presenting.
Moodle: The Assignment feature allows you to assign, collect, and grade work (tied directly to the Moodle gradebook). In addition, if you turn on the Feedback option, you can also provide feedback notes.
Teams: Does have an Assignment feature that allows instructors to assign, distribute, and collect work. It works well in combination with OneNote.
OneNote (Class Notebook): Assignments can be managed use Class Notebooks in OneNote. Your students will have access to Student Notebooks, Content Library, and Collaboration Space.
Whether a video is created on a computer, smartphone, or camcorder, once a video is uploaded, it can be shared by posting the video link in Moodle, Teams, or even by email.
Relay- The best place to upload and share videos is Relay. Videos created using a Smartphone or Tablet can be uploaded to Relay using the Fuse app.
Stream- You can upload and share videos using Microsoft Stream.
OneDrive- Although you can share any file (including videos) from OneDrive, this is by far the worst option available using campus tools.
Smartphone/Tablet- If you have a digital device, you can upload videos directly to Relay using the Fuse app (free).
Camcorder- If you have a digital camera, you can upload videos to Relay/Stream as long as they’re in the MP4 format.
Meet Online: Students can meet online on Zoom/Teams to plan and have discussions.
Moodle: If an instructor creates Groups, students can have text-chat discussions and share files. Students can meet online using web conferencing tools.
Teams: Instructors or Students can create groups in Teams. Students can then have online meetings, discussions (text-chat), share files, and create and co-edit documents.
OneNote: If an instructor creates Groups, students can have text-chat discussions and share files. Students can meet online using web conferencing tools.
O365/OneDrive: If students share documents, they can communicate through comments and co-edit documents.
Whenever possible, create assignments that can be completed using digital tools (otherwise, see How do I have my students upload an image? below). Using these tools, you and your students will be able to draw over content including text and images (e.g. draw over an image of a cell, chemical structure, a music staff, etc.). This means you can create worksheets that students can fill out by drawing.
OneNote (Class Notebook): Designed to function as an electronic version of a paper notebook, you can draw on any page. If you use the OneNote app on a tablet, it’s even easier.
PowerPoint - The maximum size of a PowerPoint slide is 56 in x 56 in. That’s one big canvas. If you don’t see the Draw tab, on a PC you can add it to the ribbon by right-clicking the Home tab, select Customize the Ribbon, check Draw in the right selection-window, and OK. Additionally, users can use the online O365 version which has a basic Draw tab by default.
Word /Excel- On a PC, the Draw tab may only be available using the full version (i.e not the online O365 version). To add the tab to the ribbon, right-click the Home tab, select Customize the Ribbon, check Draw in the right selection window, and OK. The Draw tab should be visible by default on a Mac.
Whether you need to upload an image/picture/drawing, you can use the upload file features of Moodle, Teams, or OneDrive. Once uploaded, the file can be shared by link.
Print Item: The easiest way to convert a print item (or other physical item) is to take a picture with a smartphone, tablet, or webcam. One can also use a scanner to get the image file. The image file can then be downloaded/upload/emailed.
Please go to the Tech Tools site for training videos and resource links on this Moodle topic.
Please go to the Tech Tools site for training videos and resource links on this Class Notebook (OneNote) topic.