Peer editing with CrocODoc

As students progress through grade levels they learn many ways to edit, proof and critique their writing. Students learn that peer editing is one of the most beneficial methods to improving both their writing skills and also the writing skills of their own peers.

As students peer edit others work they learn how to become critical readers and writers. Students are able to take the time to evaluate readings and also improve on their own writings by peer editing.

So how can we use technology to improve this crucial step in the writing process? CrocODoc allows anyone (yes, it is FREE) to upload a document and comment, draw, and also high light pieces of that document. And if that is not enough you can also collaborate on individual documents and share entire folders of documents to be peer edited. Users can share the documents by embedding them into a website, emailing collaborators a link to the document or sending an automated document directly from CrocODoc.

So next time you are planning to have your students peer edit a document try out CrocODoc at http://crocodoc.com/

Try editing the document below and see what you think.

http://crocodoc.com/DMeHI

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Comment by Andy Petroski on March 24, 2011 at 12:20pm: How have you seen this used in your school district? Do the students naturally take to the editing of peer documents or are their guidelines/requirements that need to be a part of the assignment?

Comment by Anthony O'Neal on March 27, 2011 at 2:58pm: Great question - A majority of our staff members have been trained through PLN (University of Pennsylvania Literacy Network). Within that training instructors are encouraged to promote various peer editing methods. Students become familiar with various peer editing methods and are required to practice these methods. Normally these methods are practiced on essays which have been typed up and printed out by the students. This process takes a large amount of resources and time. CrocODoc allows this process to take place digitally saving paper and also saving time.

Last year there were several instructors which used a similar online, but inferior, site called Awesome Highlighter. With the discovery of CrocODoc those same instructors are extremely excited begin promoting the site with their students.

Hope this answers your question. If you would like any more information I would be happy to provide it for you just let me know.

Comment by Anthony O'Neal on April 5, 2011 at 6:41pm: Students follow a set of annotating text guidelines which have been taught and used since their 9th grade year. Students are taught how to highlight and mark up text with specific symbols which relate to questions, comments or additional information (see video below). Many time students perform this task as per editors, they use standard markups so that others will understand what the markings mean.