Have you heard about this? It’s new!

What Is It?

It’s a digital layer that can be added to pdf resources. The layer allows for answer boxes to be added to a pdf, highlighters and pens can be used to interact with the pdf. Best of all you can assign the activity via your google classroom. TPT has a great presentation that you can read through that explains how to do this. I won’t go through it here but if you want to know how to interact with the layer or want all the details, you can go ahead and read through the presentation. If you want to have a look at what it could look like on a resource you can download and play around with one of my freebies, which is also perfect for back to school.

Limitations of the Digital Layer

1. It’s not available (yet) on all pdf resources. First, one catch is that the seller has to sign up to have this new layer added to their resources. If they haven’t signed up, the resources will not be able to be fitted with the digital layer. Second, not all pdf’s can be fitted with the layer. If they are in a zipped file or a powerpoint or other file type, the layer can’t be added.
2. The pdf content cannot be changed, only added to. Resources are not editable with the digital layer.
3. While the layer allows the pdfs to be assigned through google classroom, they are not meant to be put into google slides or google forms.
4. Students can’t print from google classroom with the layer. Currently, some of my resources such as puzzles and crafts look as if they will work with the digital layer because the word ‘Digital’ appears below them. Well, they don’t. Because you can’t print. Sorry. Totally not my decision. TPT is aware and working on it.
5. It’s only for google classroom. Sorry MicrosoftOne users.

If you have questions let me know. TPT is working on some of the limitations of the layer and hopefully some will be resolved for back to school. Fingers crossed.