Last post was we looked at how Google Forms can keep you organized. Now we are going to look how to use them with students.

A reminder from last post:  The best thing about Google Forms are that they put all information into a Google Sheet (spreadsheet). Once information is in there, you can manipulate it to sort, use formulas, merge, and using add-ons grade automatically. Also know that website like bit.ly will allow you to customize and shorten links for students to get your forms faster! QR codes will also work, but they will need a reader on their devices.

So here are just 5 ways we can use Google Forms. I probably could make a list of 20. Just remember, anything you have students fill out on paper, you could have them fill out here. And think of all the copies you would save!

Self Grading Quizzes or Exit Slips
Using the add on in sheets “Flubaroo” you can create a Self-Grading Quiz or Exit Slip. Anything that is multiple choice will grade itself. If you have a mixed test that has both multiple choice and short answer you can tell it you want to manually grade the short answer questions. Flubaroo also will highlight the questions missed most often and the students with a failing grade will turn red. You can email students their results too. To see the students’ grades, click the “grade” tab at the bottom of the spread sheet. 

Here is a video of how to use Flubaroo: http://bit.ly/1WnFeGH 
Here is an example of the form: http://bit.ly/1QcKzzu 
Here is an example of the spreadsheet with the results: http://bit.ly/1RXGSyS

 Turning in Assignments
If you are not using Google Classroom or Edmodo, having kids turn in assignments that are done online can be a headache or fill up your inbox. Have students turn in by copying and pasting links into a form. Now when it is time for you to grade them, you have a nice spreadsheet with all links organized.

Math Data for Lessons (Daily Data)
If you do daily data for your class, this is a great way to get information. Also, it is a great way to use technology in a 1 or 2 computer classroom. Have the daily or weekly question up on the computers and the students can answer while unpacking in the morning. Once students answer the questions you can run a report in Sheets and see what they answered. Have students answer questions about the results.

Reading Logs and Journals
Getting reading logs or journals to and from school can be your biggest stress at times. With a digital one, either made for each student or you can sort just one, you have a log for the entire year and those students who can’t keep up with the paper now have other ways to send it in. You can also get the parents to input a special code if you are worried about signatures.

Bookmarks and Bibliographies
When students are doing research it is sometimes hard for them to keep up with bookmarks or a list of all the sources they used. If they each made their own form, they can just input the links as they find them. Also, have them record the facts they found on that site. (As long as they have the link, EasyBib will cite it for them.) They now have a spreadsheet they can use when citing their sources. They can also share with you and you would have their list as well.

Here is an example: http://bit.ly/1TvSuc5

As I said above, there are so many ways to use these forms to help make your life easier. Don’t forget if you want to learn more, feel free to contact Amanda or Channon for more information. If you use Google Forms in a cool way, we would love to hear about it! Leave us a comment below!

Last post was ‘5 Ways  to Use Google Docs in Your Classroom,” so keeping with that theme we are going to look at ways to use Google Forms with your students and to help you with organization and paperwork.  The best thing about Google Forms are that they put all information into a Google Sheet (spreadsheet). Once information is in there, you can manipulate it to sort, use formulas, merge, and using add-ons grade automatically. Also know that website like bit.ly will allow you to customize and shorten links for students to get your forms faster! QR codes will also work, but they will need a reader on their devices.

I had too much trouble narrowing down the list to 5. I got it down to 10. But 10 is a crazy long Blog Post. I have broken it into 2 parts. This first is for organization purposes, how Forms can help you as a teacher get rid of some of those stacks of papers on your desk that seem to make you crazy! My next post will be ways to use Forms with students.

Lesson Plans
I know that this one can not be used in all schools, some have specific requirements for lesson plan formats, but if you have the freedom to create your own, this is a great way to keep up with all your lessons and give your administration access to it at all times. Highlight that week and print selection if you have to post in classroom.

Example of lesson plan form:  http://bit.ly/1RXCDDq
Example of spreadsheet:  http://bit.ly/1RXCCzm

 

Parent Contact Information
Collecting and organizing parent information is sometimes a daunting task. On “Meet the Teacher” night or “Open House” have parents fill out a form for information. Have a few devices around the room as well as QR codes that will allow them to fill out from their phones. Also, if you want to get even more fancy, you could run a “autocrat” add on from the sheets and have a Google Doc with parent information of each student. This would be great for a sports or academic teams where you have to have individual student information sheets to carry to events. 

 

Daily 5 Documentation
Keeping data of reading conferences by putting information into a form. All you information in the spreadsheet will then sort by name and you have a running data.  

Here is an example Form: http://bit.ly/1TvOPLz

 

Sign Up Forms with Choice Eliminator 
Using the add-on in forms “Choice Eliminator” you can have students or parents sign up for things to bring, but after you have a choice hit its limit, that choice will go away. For example, if you have them sign up to bring chips and you only want 2 people to bring them, after the second person chooses it, that is no longer a choice. Also great for putting in groups or signing up for projects.

 

 Behavior Logs/Classroom Management 
Documenting student behavior was always a pain for me. Having to remember after class, the forms to fill out, notebook to keep. A coworker made a form so we could record information there instead of on pink forms. The best part, we shared one form so we had information of all the students in our grade. So we could see if they were having issues in other classes or just ours. Also became helpful when contacting parents as well as sending the log to our admin so they know the steps taken for the students.
Here is an example of that form: http://bit.ly/1oDOCe6

The next post will be ways to use Forms with students. I hope you can see the benefits of Gogole Forms and how helpful they can be! If you ever want to learn more, contact Amanda or Channon to schedule training!

I feel like we spend so much time learning the “how to” with Google Docs that we never get to focus on the “what.” Today I am going to list 5 ideas that you can use Google Docs with your students. Either for a project or with the entire class. I have links to examples. If you want to use the examples, click the link and “make a copy” to get your own template.

Interactive Poster
Have students show what they have learned in a poster! You can make them a template and push out a copy to every student with Google Classroom or you can have each start with a blank slate.

Here is an example of a poster about Thomas Jefferson’s Political Career:
http://bit.ly/1nMW5qc

Here is a Science Poster Presentation. Students could add links to pictures and videos:
http://bit.ly/1URwGXl

Fill In Graphic Organizer
Have students fill in a graphic organizer for an activity
http://bit.ly/1URwx67

Comic Books
Have students take pictures and using “drawing tool” inside of the doc, make speech bubbles.
http://bit.ly/20MqNOC

Newspaper Template
Not only can students use the template to make a newspaper, but since it is a shared document, groups can type into one document and proof read each other’s work.
http://bit.ly/1PphQUo

Recipe Cards
While teaching students fractions, have them take a recipe and cut it in half. Next, put the new recipe in on the recipe card.
 http://bit.ly/1QiEsFN 

These are just a few suggestions of ways to use Docs for something other than writing papers! If you are doing something new and creative, let us know is the comment section!