Draw or write on student work

This article is for teachers.

On a mobile device, you can use Classroom's drawing and writing tools to add feedback directly onto student work. You can underline words, highlight text, draw shapes, and leave notes on Google Docs files, Adobe® PDF®, and Microsoft® Office® documents.

Drawing and writing tools are only available in the Classroom mobile app for Android and Apple® iOS®.

How to write notes

  1. Tap Classroom "".
  2. Tap the classand thenthe assignment.
  3. Tap Student Work.
  4. Tap the student's nameand thentheir attachment.
  5. Tap Edit "".

    Click Edit

  6. Make any notes or drawings. For details, go to Use the drawing and writing tools below.
  7. To save your notes, in the top-right corner, tap Save.
    Note: When you save your changes, a new file with your notes attaches to the student's assignment.

    If you don't want to save your changes, tap Back "" and then Discard.

    Save

  8. (Optional) To open the student's work in Google Drive, tap New tab "".

  9. (Optional) To return to the Student work page, tap Close "".

How notes are saved

If the original file was a It saves as a
Google Docs file Separate PDF
Office file Separate PDF
JPG or PNG image file Edited file that replaces original
PDF Edited file that replaces original

Use the drawing and writing tools

Choose a tool

Change a tool's color or size

The write, mark, and highlight tools are available in different sizes and colors.

  1. To see the color and size options, double tap Write "", Mark "", or Highlight "".

    Choose color and size

  2. To show more colors, tap the Up arrow "".

    Choose color
    To hide the options, swipe down.

Add a text note

  1. Tap Add text "".
  2. On the student's work, drag your finger to create a text field.
  3. Enter your message.
    • To make the text larger, pinch 2 fingers apart.
    • To make the text smaller, pinch 2 fingers together.
    • To resize the text box, tap a corner and drag it.

Erase a mark

Resize or move a note or image

You can resize or move a new note or image.

  1. Add a text note or image.
  2. Tap Select select and tap the note or image.
  3. Pinch 2 fingers together or apart on the note or image to resize it.
  4. Drag the note or image to move it.

Zoom in or out on a note

  • To zoom in, pinch 2 fingers apart on the note.
  • To zoom out, pinch 2 fingers together on the note.
  • To pan over the drawing, drag 2 fingers across the screen.

Undo or redo actions

Related articles

  • Grade and return an assignment
  • Grade and return question answers

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