Working with digital PDFs

PDF stands for "Portable Document Format."  These files are often interchangeable with images.  However, what can we do when you want you or your students to annotate or provide answers on a PDF file?  Are there options to make a PDF readable?  We used to have Adobe Acrobat Reader.  You may need to first make sure that the PDFs open properly using Google Chrome.  Here's how: 

To have students answer questions, annotate and write on PDF files:

Step 1. Upload the PDF file to Google Drive 

Step 2. "Open with" Read&Write for Google Chrome or OrbitNote (formerly called OrbitDocs) 

In OrbitNote, there are freehand draw tools and text tools to answer questions.

                                        Freehand draw    Eraser        Type text    Pushpin (sticky note)

Here is a video explaining how to annotate PDF files: 

To make PDF files text-readable requires OCR (optical character recognition) conversion.  This can be a tricky process, especially if the file is pixelated or grainy.  ARC-BC does this process for textbooks and access is available for designated students.  Another option is Snapverter or using Kofax Power PDF.  Contact Kevin to learn more!

This is a helpful guide for making the best use of PDF files, summarizing this explanation.  Note that in teacher's marking portal of Google Classroom, the PDF appears to not have any changes made by the student.  Click on "open with" OrbitNote to view their completed work!  This is assuming that the student answered questions or added information and made sure to "turn in" the work!