D2L Brightspace has an inline annotation tool for assignments. Using the Annotation Tool in D2L Brightspace allows you to annotate document submissions inside of your course without having to download anything.

  • Click Assessments tab, then Assignments from the course navbar.
  • On any assignment, click the dropdown caret next to its title.
  • Choose View Submissions.
  • Click on the title (link) of a student's submission.
  • The banner above the submission is the annotation banner. The tools to the right are annotation tools.

Annotation Toolbar Brightspace

  • Click the appropriate tool icon.
  • With the tool you'd like selected, click the document in the location you'd like to annotate.
  • To save your annotations, you must click Save Draft. Annotations not saved before leaving the page or reloading it will not be kept and will be deleted. Be sure to save your annotations often!
  • When you are ready for the student to see your feedback, click Publish.

About the Annotation Tools

The annotations features is made up of four components:

  • Pen Tool
  • Note Tool
  • Textbox Tool
  • Line Tool

Pen Tool

Annotation Pen Tool

  • Click the icon to use the tool and set color, transparency, and width.
  • Click the down arrow to select a pen or highlighter.
  • Write anywhere in the submission.
  • Click Save Draft or Publish when done.

Note Tool

Annotation Note Tool

  • Click the note icon to use the tool and set options.
  • Click anywhere in the submission to add a note.
  • Type into the note.
  • Click Save Draft or Publish when done.

Textbox Tool

Annotation Textbox Tool

  • Click the textbox icon to use the tool and set options.
  • Click anywhere in the submission to add a textbox.
  • Type into the box. It will expand as you type.
  • Click Save Draft or Publish when done.

Line Tool

Annotation Line Tool

  • Click the icon to use the tool and set color, transparency, and width.
  • Click the down arrow to select line, arrow, or rectangle.
  • Click anywhere in the submission to add a line.
  • Click Save Draft or Publish when done.

Note: It is also possible to download student submissions in bulk, edit them locally, and then upload the edited files in bulk back to D2L.