Commenting with Word: The Basics

[barclay_barrios]

These days I do all of my commenting and grading in Microsoft Word. My hand doesn’t cramp like it does when I put pen to paper. I also like how I am able to save paper and, more importantly, save each copy of a student’s work (in case I want to look back and see how a draft has changed). This image shows the different tools I use and how I use them.

Mainly I use the Comment feature, which allows me to make marginal comments.  I find this less intrusive to the student’s text. Occasionally I use Track Changes to make edits within a paper, but more often I use the Highlight feature to draw a student’s attention to some error that needs correcting; that way it remains up to the student to figure out what the error is and how to correct it. Track Changes does, however, allow me to make my end comments. How do you like to comment on student work?  Do you have any electronic tools you prefer?

[#2]

I recently taught a class how to use Word comments to do their peer responses. Students told me the quality of commentary was the best yet, though I'm not sure if the tool was the reason or if there was some other factor. But they seemed absorbed in the task and I liked the specificity of students' comments to each other when I saw those drafts.

[heardsoutherly]

This is a great way to streamline the commenting and grading process! I especially like using Highlight to point out errors without directly providing the answer. It encourages students to think critically.

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