Canvas: DocViewer - In-Line Document Viewer

Summary

This article will help users understand the features of DocViewer, SpeedGrader's in-line document viewer.

 

Content

The DocViewer allows faculty to view, annotate, and provide feedback on students submissions. You can also provide feedback to your students with text or media comments. When the submission is opened in the Document viewer, the annotation tools are located on the top of the screen. This image shows examples of the various annotation options:

Example of what the DocViewer looks like in Canvas - Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)Click for full-size image

 

Features

  1. Page - Navigation icon to page through document or enter page number to move through document.
  2. Rotate - Allows you to rotate documents or images by 90 degrees at a time.
  3. Zoom - Increase or decrease size of document.  Enlarging the document to large will make it harder to see the comments on the right side.
  4. Expand - Expand the view to full screen.  Use the escape key to minimize
  5. Pointer - Works as a pointer only. Click on it to turn off annotation tools.
  6. Point annotation  - Allows you to add comments that appears to the right the document.  Comment text is required.
  7. Highlight - Highlight text using the selected color.  Entering a comment is optional.
  8. Free Text - Places the comment wherever the annotation is on the document.  This option will overlay and hide the text or graphic or allows for transparent text box.
  9. Strikeout - Place a line through text.  Entering a comment is optional.
  10. Free Draw - Use to draw a continuous line. Once you stop using the tool you cannot add more lines to the drawing.   Entering a comment is optional.
  11. Area with Comments - Draw a box around an area and then add the comment to the right the document.   Comment text is required. When the comment is added to the document a dotted line appears leading to the designated area on the document.
  12. Color Selection -  You can select what color to use when marking up the document.  The color palette appears when you select the annotation tools.  Select a different color to emphasize various areas of feedback.  
  13. Delete Comment -  When the comment is in edit mode or "active" you will see an icon of a trash can which allows you to delete the comment.   
  14. Student Feature -  Students have the annotation tools available to them when viewing their assignment in the Feedback view.  Student can also reply to the faculty comments by selecting the comment and clicking on Reply.  The student name will appear next to their comment.
  15. Download Annotated submission - The arrow on the top left above the submission downloads the submission with your annotations.
  16. Download Student Submission -  The download student submission is located on the top right of the screen below the Submitted Files heading. 

Note:  Your students will see the comments by going to their Grades and selecting the assignment to open their submission. On the submission page, they will click on the Feedback link to view the Annotated document. For more details, read this article:  How do I view annotation feedback comments from my instructor directly in my assignment submission?  

 

Further readings 

How do I view annotation feedback comments from my instructor directly in my assignment submission?  - for students

How do I add annotated comments in student submissions using DocViewer in SpeedGrader?  - for more details about DocViewer.

How do I enter and edit grades in SpeedGrader?  - for details about how to enter grade while in the SpeedGrader.

 

Need additional help?

Submit a Canvas (myCourses) support request or visit the Technology Help Desk Support page to locate your local campus contact information or to submit an online technology support request.  For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.  

 

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