Google Forms are Addictive

For a few days now I've been trying to write a blog on the wonders of using Google forms in the classroom and find myself so overwhelmed with ideas that it quickly becomes too much for a simple blog.  So my goal is to introduce you to the simplicity of forms and to spark your imaginations with endless ways to use them.

The short and sweet of using forms is this; if you want to collect information, no matter how simple or complicated the subject matter, a form will gather, verify, organize and report... instantly.

"Sounds great, but how many hours will it take me to learn and create a form?  I just don't have time to learn something new when what I've always done is working fine."

Oh the fear and struggle of something new.  Now I know when I say something is really easy the first thought that runs through some of your minds is; "Sure it's easy for you.  You do this tech stuff all the time." and there is some truth in that.  However, SERIOUSLY, this is so easy I guarantee when you're done you will be asking "Is that it???"

I have a few forms I interact with daily at NRMPS.  Many of you have used them and may not have realized it was a simple Google form.

With Google Docs, you can quickly create a form or survey, send it to students, parents, teachers, or staff, and keep track of the answers in one spreadsheet.

Since forms are filled out online, there’s no need to enter in results manually. Responses are collected and displayed immediately in a corresponding Google Docs spreadsheet which allows you to sort, analyze, and visualize the information.

You can send forms to anyone - even those outside of the NRMPS system. Respondants can access the form via email, a published webpage, or embedded on a site.  Forms also generates an automatic summary with charts, graphs, and statistics about your form responses and can notify you when new responses are submitted.

Here are some live examples of forms you can preview and try:

• Collecting mailing addresses
• US History pop quiz for grade school
• Student group welcome form
• Club event requests

And other ideas that could be conducted using forms:

• Structured peer editing and feedback
• Assignment checklist and submissions
• Applications for positions in clubs, students, government
• Peer evaluation
• Formative assessment
• Book Reviews
• Survey before and after a lesson/discussion
• Collect science data
• Organize groups
• Volunteer opportunities
• Student feedback
• Online reading record
• Find out more about your students' interests

"So let me at it!  Where do I start?"

Here are links to easy instructions for creating froms.

• Create and Customize Forms
• Create a Form - Grovo.com - 1:30 video.  Quick and easy for attention deficit folks like me :)  You will need to create a Grovo account if you don't already have one.  HIGHLY recommended.  Grovo is awesome.
• Create a Google Form