Supporting diverse assignment formats is central to TA39’s flexibility, but different submission types require specific handling to ensure accurate feedback. Here’s how to guide your students and optimize TA39's capabilities for both typed and handwritten work.
Preferred Submission Format
We strongly encourage students to submit assignments as Word documents (.docx) whenever possible. Typed submissions ensure TA39 can extract text accurately, capturing every nuance, including punctuation. This is especially critical for English Language Arts (ELA) assignments, where grammar and syntax are focal points.
Using PDFs for Handwritten Work
For handwritten assignments, PDF submissions are recommended. These are processed through Optical Character Recognition (OCR), treating the document as an image to extract text. While OCR technology is reliable, occasional issues with punctuation (e.g., missed commas or misplaced semicolons) can occur. TA39 performs best with handwritten work in subjects like social sciences, where focus lies on factual accuracy and logic rather than fine details of grammar.
Tips for Clean Handwritten Submissions
To enhance OCR accuracy, encourage students to:
Write clearly and legibly, avoiding cursive unless necessary.
Maintain clean pages, free of unnecessary doodles or decorations.
Strictly adhere to the assignment prompt to avoid confusion for the AI.
Capturing Quality Images for Submission
Students should follow these guidelines when submitting photos of handwritten work:
Use a well-lit space to avoid shadows and ensure clarity.
Hold the camera directly above the page to prevent angles and distortions.
Ensure the entire page is captured within the frame, without cut-off edges.
Consider using a scanning app to standardize quality and clarity across submissions.
Guiding Students on Submissions
Provide students with clear instructions on the acceptable formats for assignments (e.g., typed or handwritten), submission deadlines, and how feedback will be delivered. This proactive communication ensures smoother processing and reduces errors.
Limitations and Recommendations
While OCR enables TA39 to support handwritten work, typed documents remain the gold standard for precision. For ELA assignments or those requiring detailed feedback on punctuation, insist on typed submissions in Word format. This minimizes errors and ensures feedback aligns with the highest standards of accuracy.