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
- Tap Classroom
.
- Tap the class
the assignment.
- Tap Student Work.
- Tap the student's name
- Tap Edit
.
- Make any notes or drawings. For details, go to Use the drawing and writing tools below.
- To save your notes, in the top-right corner, tap More
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
- (Optional) To open the student's work in Google Drive, tap the new file
.
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 |
| Edited file that replaces original |
Use the drawing and writing tools
Choose a tool
You can find all tools at the bottom of the app screen.
| Tool | Use it to |
|---|---|
| Select |
Select a new note to resize or move it. |
| Erase |
Erase a note. |
| Write |
Write or draw lines with a pen. You can change the width of lines with speed. |
| Mark |
Write or draw lines of even width with a marker. |
| Highlight |
Highlight text or images. |
| Add text |
Add a text note. |
Change a tool's color or size
The write, mark, and highlight tools are available in different sizes and colors.
- To see the color and size options, double tap Write
, or Highlight
.
- To show additional colors, tap the Up arrow
.
To hide the options, swipe down.
Add a text note
- Tap Add text
.
- On the student's work, drag your finger to create a text field.
- 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
-
Tap Erase
.
- To erase a mark, tap it.
- (Optional) To delete all marks on the page, double tap Erase
Resize or move a note or image
You can resize or move a new note or image.
- Add a text note or image.
- Tap Select
and tap the note or image.
- Pinch 2 fingers together or apart on the note or image to resize it.
- Drag the note or image to move it.
and tap the note or image.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
- To undo the previous action, tap Undo
. You can use it repeatedly to undo consecutive actions.
- To redo an action, tap Redo
. You can use it repeatedly to redo consecutive actions.