How the Process Feedback for Word Online and Web extension works
Process Feedback for Word Online and Web is a Chrome extension (currently in beta) that works in Microsoft Word Online and in Canvas, where it supports both the assignment and the discussion board editors. It turns a student’s writing into a writing process report.
Using Google Docs? It has its own extension. See How the Process Feedback for Google Docs extension works.
How it captures the writing process
Word Online and the Canvas editors do not keep a detailed edit history that we can look back at, as Google Docs does. So the extension captures the writing process itself, while the student writes:
- As the document changes, the extension takes snapshots of it.
- It stores the snapshots locally, in the browser on the student’s own device.
- When the student opens the report, it is generated in the browser from those snapshots.
Nothing is uploaded to our servers, no Process Feedback account is created, and no LMS or administrator setup is needed.
This has two consequences for students:
- Install the extension before writing starts. Writing done before the extension was installed cannot be captured.
- Save the report while the work is fresh. Snapshots live in one browser on one device. They can be lost when browsing data is cleared, the browser is reset, the extension is reinstalled, or the student switches to another browser or computer. Download the PDF or the process data file soon after finishing.
When data leaves the device
The student decides what, if anything, leaves their device:
- Share this Report uploads the report so it can be shared as a link. This happens only when the student clicks it and agrees to the privacy warning.
- PDF and process data downloads are saved to the student’s own computer, and the student can hand them to a teacher directly.
If the student does none of these, the writing process stays on their device.
Information for institutions
- No LTI integration or Canvas changes. Students or teachers install the extension themselves. It needs no system-level access to your LMS.
- Zero data collection by default. Nothing is stored centrally.
- Need Process Feedback built into your LMS? See LTI integration instead.
If you have further questions about how the extension handles data, please email us.