This article covers the label with annotations task type.
For a general overview of tasks and what they can do, see An introduction to tasks and for general instructions on how to add them to your course, see How to add a task to your course.
Overview of the label with annotations task
In the label with annotations task, learners can add their own text annotations to any spot(s) on an image. As an author, for automarking, you can specify what text you expect in a particular area. Or, you can leave it completely open.
You can also not upload an image and allow learners to upload their own image to annotate (this option cannot be automarked).
When should I use a label with annotations task?
The label with annotations task is useful for labelling images where you want it to be a little more challenging or open for learners. And, when compared to the Label with text task type the difference is that you might be wanting to assess learners' ability to know where to place the label as well as what label to give it. Let’s take a look at a few examples.
Example 1: Labelling a space shuttle
In this example we give learners an image of a space shuttle and ask learners to label the parts.
In the image below for building this task, you can see we can set the response areas as any shape we want and that we have set simple correct answers to allow for automarking.
Example 2: Identifying and labelling non verbal communication
In this next example we ask learners to identify and label examples of non-verbal communication. In this case, when compared to label with text, we can see that using image annotation also requires learners to find the examples rather than just label them.
In an example like the one above, if you wish to use the automarking feature, you may need to think carefully about what you set as the correct responses and the direction you give learners to elicit particular responses. For instance, setting up your task to have short unambiguous answers.
Example 3: Open-ended labelling
In the example below we have not set up response areas so that learners can label wherever they want.
Example 4: Learners can upload their own image to annotate
In this last example we leave the task completely open (without uploading a supplied image) as a way for learners to upload their own image as evidence of a skill which they can then annotate.
How do I create a label with annotations task?
All tasks load with an example task to give an idea of what each field is for. To add your own task details, you can type over the existing content in the fields or select Clear task content, to start completely fresh.
Standard fields
This task has the standard fields/options that all tasks have.
At the top:
Question: Where you set the main question/task which tells learners what to answer or do.
And at the bottom:
Hint: Add a hint to give pointers or clues to give learners extra guidance to complete the task. Learners can choose to See hint so it allows them to get this help “on demand”.
Feedback: Add feedback to give learners an automated response when they submit the task. See Writing feedback for tasks for pointers and ideas.
In between the top and bottom standard fields we have the following areas and fields.
Setting the image
Add an image using the +Add (or Edit) button under Image preview.
Then complete the related fields:
Text on hover: Appears when the mouse hovers over the image.
Image Alternative Text: Appears if the image cannot be displayed on a page.
Width/height (px): You can then specify the Height and width (px) for the image.
Setting the label areas
Under Correct you will see your uploaded image. Now you can draw label areas. The label areas are the shapes you draw to define area(s) that learners should label.
Click to create your first point for your area. Move your mouse and you will see a dotted line for the edge of your area. Click to create the next point. Keep outlining your area in this fashion and finish the area by clicking the first point you made.
You will see the areas you create as highlighted polygons with borders, titled Area 1, Area 2 etc.
Draw as many label areas as you need. Learners are not shown these label areas.
Note: If you don’t want the task to be automarked you do not need to set the label areas.
Setting the correct answers
Below the image, you can define the correct response for each label area using the fields Valid response for area 1, Valid response for area 2 etc. to allow the task to be automarked.
Learners will be marked as correct if they type the correct answers in the response boxes and place them correctly on the respective areas.
If there are more correct answers, use the + to add alternative answers.
As seen in the examples, you can also choose to not set a correct answer. In which case, the task will not be automarked and the task will be allocated the complete/incomplete with feedback marking template to allow facilitators to manually mark the task (if desired).
Other options
You can also specify additional options:
Font size: Controls the size of the font for items in this task - Small(11px), Normal (14px), Large (17px), Extra large (20px), and Huge (24px). We recommend Large for most purposes.
Case sensitive: Sets whether learners’ responses should match case or not. By default all questions are not case sensitive i.e. “Yes” and “yes” are treated as the same answer.
Spellcheck and text correction: Turns on spellcheck in the text entry area.
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