With the introduction of electronic papers, it is more convenient than ever to provide feedback for your students. With the digital conversion comes the need for a new set of "Teacher Pens" to mark student work. This week we are featuring a free Add-On to Google Docs called Kaizena that allows you to mark skills, assign digital links, and add typed or voice comments. Students can see your feedback and reply with typed or voice comments as well.
To get started, open a new Google Doc from your Google Drive (or you can open a Google Doc you want to give feedback on):
Then find "Add-Ons" and click on "Get Add-Ons":
In the search box, type "Kaizena", then click on the "+Free" to connect the Add-On:
Allow the permissions box that pops-up:
You should now see a message that Kaizena has been added. Go to the "Add-ons" menu and click "Open Kaizena Mini" to launch the add-on. Please note that students will need to connect this add-on in order to see your feedback. Connecting the add-on is a one-time process for each account.
The Kaizena add-on will appear on the right side:
Select your role and answer a couple of demographic questions to begin using Kaizena. Then you should be asked if you wish to give feedback or receive feedback:
Kaizena will automatically add the users who opened the add-on and the owner of the document. You can add someone else by their email address (such as a parent or another student if coauthoring). Click "continue" to start the feedback process.
Highlight any part of the document and click on "+New Feedback"
You can add skills such as vocabulary, grammar, content, ect. Kaizena will remember the skills you create and offer them for future feedback choices. You can use the microphone icon to add voice comments (must have a device with a microphone). The text box allows you to add typed comments. The chain icon allows you to add "lessons" that you can customize with outside links, such as review videos or research resources.
Here is my example feedback with a skill, written, and audio comments:
Kaizena adds a message at the top of the document to direct students to look for feedback in the Kaizena add-on:
Kaizena allows for students to provide feedback to other students as well. Kaizena takes collaboration and feedback to a new level. I hope you explore it with your students!
Questions or Comments?