Electronic Grading Solutions for essays

Google Classroom has become a very powerful solution very quickly. This is a completely free solution to help you grade assignments.  Thanks to @JBrink802 for sharing.

At the beginning of the year 

These steps are done once only at the beginning of the year:

1. Google Classroom - https://classroom.google.com/
2. Install Goobric Web App - https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/goobric-web-app-launcher/cepmakjlanepojocakadfpohnhhalfol?utm_source=gmail
3. Install Sheets extension - https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/doctopus/ffhegaddkjpkfiemhhnphmnadfbkdhbf?utm_source=permalink 

How to grade

1. Use Google Classroom to set assignment
2. Create Google Sheet
3. Launch Doctopus
4. Create or choose rubric in Goobric  (You can use voice comments too)
5. Grade assignment

Free Vector Drawing Tools

If you want to do some vector drawing then there's a wide range of tools available:

• Draw in Google Docs - very simple to use and available online 
• Dia is good if you're after a download. 
• Libreoffice has a nice drawing package included too
• Scratch has some basic vector drawing tools and is great for interactive stories

Inkscape is also very good, but I find it too complicated for most primary students. I would also like to mention that PowerPoint 2013, because it's free functionality if you already have office. It has a complete set of vector tools which I'd say are as good as older versions of illustrator. I use it to teach my year 4 students drawing and animation and they love it.