Kami
Kami is an online application that allows students and teachers to annotate pdfs, images and other documents. In addition to standard annotation tools, users can insert their own images, record voice and video comments, and use a host of other features.
First Steps
Getting Started:
Learning Management System Integrations:
Teachers can set up and assign tasks within the following LMS to provide a more seamless experience for students.
User Communities and sites:
Facebook: Kami Educator's Community
Instagram: @usekamiapp, #kamiapp, #KamiforSchools
Twitter: @usekamiapp, #kamiapp, #KamiforSchools
Technical Specifications:
Kami works on Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge browsers.
Kami was designed with 1:1 Chromebooks in mind but works on a variety of devices, including:
Computers
Tablets
Smartphones
More information here on device compatibility
Student Login:
Kami does require a login for students to save and work on assignments. Kami is FERPA and COPPA compliant.
Next Steps (Advanced Tips)
Video, voice and screen capture tools to add comments, directions, etc.
Split and Merge Tool: combine documents, edit which pages you'd like student to see, etc.
Instructional Design
Kami is a useful tool for a wide range of subjects, assignments and assessments. Teachers can upload worksheets, embed screen captures of teacher instruction for student review, include YouTube videos, and can add video and voice comments.
For students, Kami can be used to annotate a wide range of materials, including websites, articles, maps, images, etc. Students can also work on graph paper for math problems, can insert their own pictures, and can voice or video record their thinking or responses.
General Guides to Classroom Use:
Sample introduction to Kami for students
Sample Kami document practice for students to learn basic features
How to record video or screen capture for instruction and feedback
Using Kami as a digital whiteboard
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion considerations:
Students can use video, audio and screen capture features in addition to drawing and typing to share ideas and work on a wide range of assignments. Text to speech helps students access written directions and content. While students can work on assignments offline, some features will not be accessible until they reconnect with wifi.
Students who prefer to work offline can insert images of their written work into a Kami document for submission.
Instructional Grouping(s):
Individual, partner or small group: Students can work with others using the share features within Kami to collaborate or peer edit work.
Formative and Summative Assessment Options:
Teachers can choose to have students complete assessments using Kami. When students save Kami assignments for submission, make sure they save the version that includes their annotations. Integrating with your LMS avoids confusion about how to submit Kami assignments.
Sample Lessons and Applications:
Other Uses, Examples, Applications:
Management
Student Management:
Unlike Classkick, teachers will not be able to actively monitor student work in real time unless students share documents with them or if progress monitoring is enabled when you set up the assignment in your LMS (Google Classroom, Canvas or Schoology). Be careful when using the LMS option as it may be unclear when an assignment is ready for assessment.
Teachers can embed support options within a Kami assignment, ie videos to reinforce and review learning, audio/video/screen capture explanations of directions, etc.
There are many ways to have students submit work from Kami. It is very helpful to adopt a schoolwide system for assigning and submitting work to avoid confusion. For example, if some teachers embed Kami within the LMS and others do not, students can easily become confused about how to open and submit assignments.
Student Engagement:
Adding video, voice or screen captures of your instruction helps students to be more engaged in assignments you set up. Encouraging students to use those same features can help students choose from a range of responses to tasks, ie students can record their thinking and questioning related to a reading in addition to highlighting or typing ideas.
Be mindful that if students are posting comments on other students' work, they will need guidance and modeling of positive digital behaviors.
Student Privacy and Security:
Kami does collect student data to use within their program development but does not sell it to advertisers and do not have pop ups, etc. as part of their site. Find out more about their privacy policy and COPPA compliance.
Differentiation and Adaptation
Language Learners:
Using Google translate with Kami to support English language learners. This requires using a Chrome browser.
Adaptive and Assistive Features:
Students can use text to speech, voice and video recordings to share their learning with teachers.
Kami's guide to accessibility features
Kami for Special Education: webinar recording
Hybrid Strategies
Students who are not physically in class can share their Kami assignments with a peer or teacher for feedback. Teachers can also embed their screen capture, voice directions, etc. to assist students who are not in class but who may need additional guidance. Teachers can also use Kami to help students record their thinking and annotations in a digital format for easy online submission to their LMS or as a PDF shared by e-mail or in a shared Google folder.