So much of our students’ work– collaborative or independent, so many of our professional documents, are created using Google Docs.

And so many times it’s a strain to express in the margin, or in text notes, the personal/enthusiastic/caring/connected feedback we’d really like to share. When we are collaborating on documents, it’s a challenge to express the detailed rationale behind our edits.

The Voice Comments app for Google Drive offers a simple, free strategy for sharing audio feedback.  This type of feedback and collaboration may be especially useful in blended/distant/flipped environments.

It’s easy to set up:

1. Find and install Voice Comments, either from the Chrome Store or by opening Google Drive,  clicking on the Create button and selecting Connect more apps.

2. Open a document. Select/right click any Doc in your Google Drive (Spreadsheets and Presentations are not yet supported), or Control click or go to More if you have a Mac, and Open with Voice Comments.  

3. After allowing access, you’ll see a simple recording bar,

4. Record, highlight and re-record if necessary.  You may add multiple comments.