Instructional Web Development Center

Using WebCT to Go Paperless:
Taking the "Paper" out of "Term Paper"

Many programs, such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat, allow a reader to attach notes and comments to a document. You can use this to return useful comments to students, without having to sacrifice the convenience of online submission.

Microsoft Word has two options: Comments and Track Changes. Comments allow you to attach a note that is clearly separated from the rest of the text, while Track Changes allows you to make edits directly to the student's submission (for instance, to correct punctuation or grammar mistakes), while clearly documenting what changes you have made and allowing you to note any reasons for your changes.

Adobe Acrobat also allows you to review and comment PDFs.

Sections

  1. Return Submission to Student
  2. Returning TurnItIn Submissions
  3. Students: View Returned Submission

Return Submission to Student

  1. WebCT will not allow you to return a file with the same name. Before returning the edited assignment, rename it to indicate that you have made changes. For instance, if the student submitted carthage.doc, rename it to carthage-graded.doc
  2. From the Teach Tab, click Assignments.
  3. Click on the assignment name to view the assignment dropbox
  4. To the left of the student's name, click the assignment name to view their submission
  5. Click the Add Attachments button below the Grader/Reviewer Comments
  6. Find and attach your version of the submission with comments.
    ! Caution! Once you attach a document and click save, it is not possible to remove it; be very careful that you are attaching the correct student's paper.
  7. Once you have attached a file, you can click its name above the Add Attachments button to ensure that you have selected the correct file.
  8. In the Save Options section, check Return graded submission to student with the following grade, and assign a grade for the submission.
  9. Click Save to finish

When you view the student's submission, you will now see your version of the file next to the student's version in the Submission box.

Returning TurnItIn Submissions

While you can allow students to submit assignments to TurnItIn.com without leaving WebCT, these submissions do not get stored in WebCT's assignment tool.

This prevents you from taking advantage of WebCT for grading or returning corrected assignments. To do so, create both a TurnItIn assignment and a WebCT assignment. The WebCT assignment will be used only to return corrected submissions and grades, so enter a due date and cut-off date for as soon in the future as possible (WebCT will not allow you to grade or return a submission before the cut-off date, unless the student actually submits something). Make sure the instructions direct students to use the TurnItIn assignment for their submissions.

Download the students' submissions from the TurnItIn assignment, and follow the instructions above for returning them. Once the cut-off date for the WebCT assignment has passed, all students' submissions will be marked as "missed" in WebCT, which will allow you return and grade the submission as you normally would.

Students: View Returned Submission

To view the paper returned by the instructor, from your class:

  1. Click Assignments
  2. Click the Graded tab
  3. Click the name of the returned assignment
  4. In the Submission box, you should see the instructor's returned file next to yours

If you have any questions with this process please feel free to send e-mail to IWDC at iwdc@ucsd.edu or call 858.822.3315.