ReMarksPDF: now free for UC Staff!

Professor Stephen Colbran from the University of New England (UNE) has recently release Version 1 of his software, ReMarksPDF, for improving the quality and consistency of assessment and assessment feedback. The full version of ReMarksPDF is available to all staff at the University for three years, and is an easy-to-use PC and Mac PDF editor designed to annotate, collaborate and report on student assessments. It is the most advanced PDF marking system available. Some of its features include:

• Text and audio comments – mark by text or voice comments.
• Auto comments – automatic insertion of text-based comments – avoid rewriting repetitive text comments.
• Auto sounds – automatic insertion of voice comments – avoid rerecording repetitive audio comments.
• Marks, Criteria and Feedback – criterion based marking made easy.
• Automatic addition of marks – no more addition errors.
• Pen tools – use a tablet and handwrite comments on PDF’s. Convertible “tablet PCs” or graphic tablets can both be used.
• Drawing tools – draw diagrams and other types of annotations.
• Colour coding – highlight colours with designated meanings.
• Reports – histograms, spider charts, line charts with one click.
• Stamps – convey your meaning with stamps designed for marking.
• Style libraries – build your own specialist style libraries or simply use our supplied English Style library or edit it as you see fit.
• Internet sharing – create and share libraries of colours and text/audio comments..
• Languages – ReMarksPDF is available in English (UK and US), French and Modern Chinese.

ReMarksPDF has been produced with funding from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council and several Australian Universities. The software has great potential to reduce the amount of time academics spend marking whilst increasing the quantity and quality of assessment feedback. The software can be downloaded from http://www.remarkspdf.com/downloads. Training films, manuals etc are also available from http://www.remarkspdf.com/support/training/remarkspdf/videos.

You will need full Administrator Rights on your computer to install ReMarksPDF, or you will need to contact the ICTS Support Team to assist with installation if you do not have Administrative Rights. Once it is installed, you can register on the website to obtain a full license for the software for three years, or you can contact Leonard Low at the Teaching and Learning Centre for a full license key (leonard.low@canberra.edu.au or phone x5303). Leonard can also provide additional information on ReMarksPDF and basic support with the use of this software.