Have you ever found an amazing document that you wanted to share with your students digitally only to find that it’s a PDF? Rather than deal with the hassle of having students record their work in a separate document, or trying to embed a screenshot of the PDF in a word document, use the Kami app!

What is Kami? 

Kami is a free digital document annotation tool. In addition to PDF files, Kami can be used with a variety of other file types including presentations, spreadsheets, documents, and some images. Kami is available as a web-based app at www.kamiapp.com, an extension for Chrome, and an add-on for Google Drive. Similar options are available in Microsoft Edge.

Here are 5 ways you can utilize Kami in your classroom.

#1 Create custom PDF files with Split and Merge 

Using Kami’s Split and Merge tool, you have the ability to combine PDF documents and remove pages you no longer want to be a part of the file. The result? A document that is clean-looking and easy to share with others.

• • First, choose Split and Merge from the hamburger menu within a document or open from the app home page

• • Import or add any additional PDF files
  • Choose Merge Mode or Split Mode
    • In Split: drag and drop pages to separate files, delete pages, and change orientation
    • In Merge: combine files as is

• Export your final files and use as you please

#2 Work collaboratively with students or colleagues on a PDF or image 

If you’re using a word document, presentation file, or spreadsheet, you know that it’s easy to share and collaborate with others. Now, it’s just as easy to work with others simultaneously on a single PDF file or image when you use Kami. Here’s how you do it.

• • Select the share icon at the top right of the Kami page
  • Share with others using the link or choose the “Change Other Google Drive Share Settings” to specify individuals you want to share the file with

• Collaborate by utilizing comments or the other markup tools to modify the document

#3 Use text boxes to add unique student directions

Instead of discarding a resource because you don’t like the directions that are currently printed on the document, use text boxes to cover them up and create your own!

• Insert a text box and set the fill to the background color of your PDF allowing you to cover up the existing text and add your own
• Select the download icon and save the PDF to your desired location
• Be sure to check off the box “flatten annotations” to ensure that the changes you made on the file cannot be edited by others
• Distribute the new PDF to your students using whatever method you choose

#4 Enrich PDFs for students adding media 

PDFs can become even more dynamic resources for your students when you add media elements using Kami. Add images and videos from your computer, Drive, or the built-in Google Image and YouTube search tools, or personalize feedback with Kami stickers. The media you add will appear on the document itself rather than as an embedded link.

• • Click on the add media icon

• Upload or search for the desired image/video
• Drag and drop the media wherever you desire
• Resize, crop, or rotate images as needed
• Move or delete media

#5 Provide feedback to students 

Make the comments you leave students more dynamic with Kami! Not only can you leave text comments for students, but with a paid Kami account, you also have access to voice, video, and screen capture comments that students can view right within the document. It’s never been easier to personalize your feedback!

For more tips, tricks, and tools for teaching in and out of the classroom, check out more articles on the Teq Talk blog.

We also offer virtual professional development, training, and remote learning support for educators with OTIS for educators. Explore the technology, tools, and strategies that can spark student success — no matter where teaching or learning are happening.