University of Lethbridge - Fiat Lux

Grading in Crowdmark

teachingcentre
January 20, 2023
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Crowdmark has moved from a static sidebar layout to a dynamic, floating interface. This allows for a “Focus Mode” where the tools only appear when you need them, maximizing the visibility of student work.

Grading in Crowdmark: The New Interface

Crowdmark’s grading interface was significantly redesigned in 2025 to prioritize speed and screen real estate. The most notable change is the move from a sidebar-heavy layout to a streamlined, bottom-centred toolbar that uses icons to maximize the area where you view student work.

You can watch a video overview of the new grading interface HERE.

Navigating the New Toolbar

The toolbar is now located at the bottom of your browser window. It contains three groups: navigation, marking tools, and page management.

Navigation & Student Info

Student Selector: Click the student’s name to see the roster or jump to a specific student.
Arrows: Move to the previous or next student in the grading queue.
Status Indicators: See at a glance if the page is “Graded,” “In Progress,” or “Ungraded.”

Annotation Tools

The center of the toolbar contains your primary marking instruments. Most labels have been replaced by the following icons:

Pen Tool (Pencil Icon): For freehand drawing or underlining.
Text Tool (“T” Icon): For typing specific comments directly on the page.
Checkmark/X Stamps: Quick symbols for right or wrong answers.
Point Stamps (Star/Dollar Icon): New! Stamps that automatically add or subtract points when placed.

Score & Question Navigation

Score Box: Enter the numeric grade here. It will automatically update as you use Point Stamps.
Question Toggle: Switch between Question 1, Question 2, etc., without leaving the current student’s page.

Efficient Grading Workflows

1. Using the Comment Library

The comment library is now a slide-out panel that appears when you click the Speech Bubble icon.

Drag and Drop: You can drag saved comments directly onto the student’s paper.
Keyboard Shortcuts: Most comments can be assigned a number (1-9) for “one-touch” placement.

2. Point Stamps (Automated Scoring)

Point Stamps are the biggest efficiency gain in the new interface.

Click the Stamp icon in the toolbar.
Select a stamp and assign it a point value (e.g., “-1” or “+2”).
Every time you click that stamp on a student’s paper, the score in the bottom-right box updates automatically.

Managing the Page View

To help you focus on grading, you can now customize how much of the interface is visible:

  • Full Screen: Click the Expand icon to hide your browser tabs and focus entirely on the submission.
  • Zoom/Rotate: Use the magnifying glass icons on the toolbar to adjust the legibility of handwritten scans.
  • Keyboard “Z”: Press ‘Z’ to quickly zoom in on the area where your mouse is hovering.

Best Practice: The “Grader Focus” Mode

If you are grading a single question across the entire class, ensure your toolbar is set to “Question Mode.” This ensures that when you click the “Next” arrow, Crowdmark keeps you on the same question for the next student, rather than moving to the next page of the current student’s exam.

Resources from Crowdmark.com on Grading

Crowdmark’s new grading interface overview. This video provides a practical walk-through of the new toolbar and sidebar layout, which is particularly helpful for faculty transitioning from the legacy interface.

Assessments can be graded once the assessment due date has passed. The links below will help you navigate the grading process and get grades pushed back to Moodle.

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