Comments and Attachments

You can add detailed feedback to observations and performance reviews through comments and file attachments. This allows evaluators to provide comprehensive feedback beyond standard rubric responses.

Adding Comments During Observations

Comments can be added at multiple levels during an observation:

Question-Level Comments

1. Navigate to any question in the observation form
2. Look for the comment field below the question
3. Enter your feedback or notes
4. Comments save automatically as you type

General Evaluation Comments

1. Complete your observation responses
2. Look for the general comments section
3. Add overall feedback about the observation
4. Include suggestions, commendations, or areas for improvement

Comment Threading and Replies

The system supports comment conversations between evaluators and observees:

Starting a Comment Thread

1. Add an initial comment to any question or evaluation
2. Save the observation or performance review
3. The comment becomes available for replies

Replying to Comments

1. View a completed observation or performance review
2. Navigate to existing comments
3. Click Reply if available (Observable role)
4. Add your response
5. Click Save

Comment threads preserve the full conversation history for reference.

File Attachments

You can attach supporting files to provide additional context and feedback.

Uploading Attachments

1. During observation entry, look for attachment options
2. Click Add Attachment or the attachment icon
3. Select your file from your device
4. Supported formats: PDF, images, videos, documents
5. Add a description if desired
6. Click Upload

Question-Specific Attachments

Attachments can be linked to specific questions:

1. Navigate to the relevant question
2. Use the attachment option for that question
3. Upload files that specifically relate to that rubric item
4. Files appear alongside question responses

Viewing and Managing Attachments

Viewing Attachments

1. Open any completed observation or performance review
2. Navigate to questions with attachments
3. Click attachment names to view or download
4. Videos and images can be previewed inline

Attachment Organization

The system organizes attachments by:

• Question Association: Files linked to specific rubric items
• General Attachments: Files for overall evaluation
• Upload Date: When files were added
• File Type: Document, image, video categories

Managing Evaluation Attachments

Evaluators can manage attachments throughout the observation process:

Adding Multiple Files

1. Upload files one at a time or in batches
2. Each file can have its own description
3. Files are immediately available for review

Removing Attachments

1. Navigate to the attachment you want to remove
2. Click Delete or the remove icon (Evaluator role)
3. Confirm the deletion
4. Removed files cannot be recovered

Attachment Permissions

Different roles have different attachment capabilities:

• Evaluators: Can add, view, and delete attachments
• Observables: Can view attachments, may reply to comments
• Administrators: Full attachment management access

Performance Review Attachments

Performance reviews have special attachment handling:

Formal Observation PDFs

When you attach formal observations to a performance review:

1. System automatically generates PDFs of those observations
2. PDFs are attached to the performance review
3. These capture the complete observation record
4. PDFs preserve scores, responses, and comments

Manual Attachments

You can also add manual attachments to performance reviews:

1. Follow the same upload process as observations
2. Attach supporting documentation
3. Include relevant performance evidence
4. Files become part of the permanent review record

Best Practices for Comments

Effective Feedback Comments

• Be specific and actionable
• Reference particular moments or behaviors
• Balance constructive feedback with recognition
• Use professional, supportive language

Documentation Standards

• Add comments for any unusual circumstances
• Document follow-up actions needed
• Note strengths observed during the evaluation
• Include context that rubric scores alone don't capture

Technical Requirements

File Size and Format Limits

Check with your system administrator for:

• Maximum file upload sizes
• Supported file formats
• Storage limitations
• Network upload requirements

Browser Compatibility

Attachment features work best with:

• Current browser versions
• Enabled JavaScript
• Adequate network connectivity
• Local file access permissions

Comments and attachments create a comprehensive evaluation record that supports meaningful professional development conversations and documentation requirements.