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Your instructors may require you to submit hand-written work for an assignment via an eLearn dropbox. One of the challenges in this process is getting the work submitted in a useful format. By default, smartphones take extremely high-quality photos, and that means very large file sizes. It is not uncommon for students to have trouble uploading such a large file. Many instructors prefer you submit your work as a PDF. A PDF is generally a smaller file, and can more easily be electronically annotated and marked up.
This article provides instructions on scanning documents as PDFs for submission in eLearn.
Preparing to Scan
Before scanning, follow these steps to ensure a clear and organized submission:
- Use clear handwriting with a pencil or black/blue pen on white paper.
- Ensure pages are in the correct order before scanning.
- Check for good lighting and avoid shadows or glare if using a smartphone.
Apple Device Instructions
There are multiple ways you can use an Apple device (iPhone & iPad) to scan documents.
Using the Notes App
- Open the Notes app and create a new note (or open an existing one).
- Tap the paperclip icon (or the Camera icon on older iOS versions) above your keyboard.
- Select Scan Documents.
- Place your document in view of the camera. Point your camera at the document. It will automatically detect the edges and capture the scan. (If it doesn't, tap the shutter button manually).
- Tap Save or add more pages to the same file.
- Use the Share button to email the file to yourself to then upload to eLearn.
Using the Files App
- Swipe down on the home screen and type Files into the search bar.
- Select the Files app icon from the results.
- Open the Files app and navigate to the folder where you want to save the document.
- Tap the Circle with three dots (More button) in the upper right corner.
- Tap Scan Documents.
- Align the document and capture the scan.
- Tap Save and rename the document if desired.
- Use the Share button to email the file to yourself to then upload to eLearn.
Android Device Instructions
- Open your Google Photos app and select the image you want to convert.
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner and swipe the options to the left to find Print.
- Tap the drop-down menu at the top and choose Save as PDF.
- Tap the PDF icon to save it directly to your phone's Downloads folder.
- Then, on your phone, navigate to the dropbox in eLearn and upload the PDF you saved in your phone's Downloads folder.
Or, email yourself the PDF as an attachment, save the file to your computer, and then upload the file to your assignment dropbox.
Third Party Scanning Apps
There are a variety of free scanning apps available which are generally simple to learn.
Some recommendations include:
CamScanner
- Download and open CamScanner for iPhone or CamScanner for Android.
- Tap the camera icon (usually in the bottom right corner) to open the camera interface.
- Position your document on a flat surface in good lighting and tap the capture button.
- Select an enhancement filter (like "Magic Color" or "B&W") to make the text sharp and legible. Tap the check mark again to save the page.
- Tap the PDF icon or Share button to see your sharing options such as sending your scan via email or uploading it to cloud storage.
Adobe Scan
- Download and open Adobe Scan for iPhone or Adobe Scan for Android.
- Hold your device steady above a document until the scan is captured.
- After scanning, you can adjust the borders of your document.
- Tap Continue when you are done.
- You can now preview your scan, reorder pages, or crop pages.
- Tap Save PDF when you are done.
- If desired, you can rename your PDF.
- Use the Share settings to choose the location to save or share your file.
Final Review and Submission
- Ensure all pages are included and in the order you intended.
- Check readability (clear text, no missing sections).
- Instructors prefer the file be named clearly. (Example: JohnDoe_MathHomework1)
- Submit the file to eLearn.
Learn more: How do I upload a file to an eLearn Dropbox?