Stop retyping the same feedback on every paper
You have thirty essays to mark, and by the tenth you have typed "add a topic sentence here" for the seventh time. eMarking Assistant is a Windows add-in for Microsoft Word built for that situation. It lets you store comments once and insert them with a click while you grade.
Quick facts
- Platform: Windows only. There is no Macintosh version.
- Works inside: Microsoft Word, in 32-bit and 64-bit editions.
- Trial: 30 days, free.
- Cost: $40 per user per year, or $20 per year on a 5-year license.
- Current version: 2.2.5
Key features
Reusable comment banks you can insert from a toolbar
You build comment banks containing text, images, links and tables. Then you pick comments from floating toolbars and drop them into the student's assignment. Banks can be saved and shared with colleagues.
Comment banks harvested from papers you already marked
If you have a folder of assignments marked with Word track changes and Word comments, the add-in can harvest those into a bank. You don't have to rewrite your old feedback.
Spoken feedback recorded straight into Word
Audio comments are recorded inside Word and embedded in the document, so the student gets your voice with the paper.
Automated rubrics that total and rescale marks
You can make analytic rubrics with criteria and standards. Function keys or toolbar buttons highlight a standard, adjust marks, and add and rescale the total. The standard and mark can be inserted as a comment in the margin.
Google searches and phrase highlighting without leaving the document
Select a phrase and search for it with Google web, book or scholar search. You can also highlight every occurrence of a phrase, reuse it as a comment, or email the current document back.
Shortcuts for Word's own grading settings
The Preparation toolbar manages your comment banks. It also switches common Word settings on and off, such as spelling and grammar marks, revision tracking, and showing comments or markup.
Who it's for
It suits teachers, lecturers and markers who already grade in Word on a Windows PC and give a lot of written feedback. Institutions that want more consistent marking across several markers can also use the shared comment banks and rubrics. If you grade on a Mac, the full add-in won't run. The vendor's separate rubric-only tool, which is free, works on Windows and Macintosh.
Pros and cons
- Pro: It works inside Word, so there is no new program to learn.
- Pro: You can try it free for 30 days.
- Pro: Audio comments and automated rubrics are included.
- Con: It is Windows only.
- Con: It is a paid subscription-style license after the trial.
- Con: It only works with Word documents.
FAQs
Does it work on a Mac?
No. eMarking Assistant is Windows only. The vendor's free rubric tool runs on both Windows and Macintosh.
Can I try it first?
Yes. There is a free 30-day trial, and the vendor says you can do the guided tutorial without installing the software.
Can I share my comments with colleagues?
Yes. Comment banks can be saved and distributed to others.
Can I leave spoken comments?
Yes. Audio comments are recorded directly in Word and embedded in the document.
Which Word versions does it support?
The vendor's product page lists Windows Office and Word 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2013, in 32-bit and 64-bit editions.
System requirements
- Windows with Microsoft Word
- Word versions 2000 to 2013 are listed on the vendor's product pages, in 32-bit and 64-bit editions
- No Macintosh version