Kaizena, a feedback-giving and marking extension for Google Docs
Description: Kaizena is an online extension for providing feedback on student work. Educators can use Kaizena to leave voice comments, text comments, and annotations directly on students' Google Docs. Students can then listen to the feedback and make revisions based on the comments received. Kaizena offers a free limited version and requires users to sign up for an account to use the platform. Teachers and students can sign up for accounts using their Google credentials or by creating a separate Kaizena account.
Evaluation: Kaizena is a valuable tool for providing feedback and corrections for learners. It helps educators reduce the time needed to evaluate students’ work by embedding comments as voice and text messages or explanatory videos. It also allows educators to save and reuse not only comments but also whole lessons, thus avoiding repeating themselves. Kaizena also provides many lessons for common mistakes that educators can include in student feedback. The free version can only be used as an extension to Google Docs, while the premium version can also be used on Google Slides. Average IT skills required.
Cost: Free + paid options available.
Respect for privacy 
Privacy evaluations indicate how a tool handles personal data collection, storage, and sharing, including GDPR compliance and security measures, among others. The ICT-REV team provides them for informational purposes, reflecting our best understanding at the time of review, but assumes no legal responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of these evaluations and encourages users to conduct their own assessments: Medium. Kaizena collects students’ names and email addresses, while they ask for some more information from teachers and school administrators. It also gathers extensive cookies with the help of third parties. However, it does not share or sell user information to third parties. Kaizena mentions using industry-standard SSL encryption technology, among other security measures. It also states that the data collected is processed in the US. Kaizena mentions user rights such as the right to rectification or erasure of information. Kaizena does not explicitly mention compliance with the GDPR. See more here.
Usability and tech notes ▼
Time efficiency Time needed to learn how to use a tool and its time-saving potential: High.
Interface language(s) The number of languages in which the tool is currently available/adaptable to: English.
Saving work for future use Can work be saved for future use?: Yes.
Any other relevant information:
- Installation required?: Kaizena is mainly used as an add-on to Google Docs or Google Slides, and thus requires installation as a browser extension. A user account is needed.