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5 Ways Google Forms Can Make a Teacher's Life Easier



Google Forms can make a teacher's life easier.  When I first started using forms, I was impressed with Flubaroo and it's ability to quickly grade multiple choice questions. That feature alone makes it worth using Google Forms. However, there is so much more that can be done than just quizzes, surveys, or exit slips. Have you considered providing review or remediation activities through Forms? How about simplifying record keeping for accommodations, behavior, or communication with parents? Depending on the type of form that is created it may take some time to initially set it up, but once it is done the results that you will see are completely worth the time. Check out some of the alternate ways and examples provided below on how to use Google Forms in an educational setting.

1. Provide Review and Remediation:


Educators would love for 100% of their students to learn the material the first time it is taught. However, the reality is that students learn at varying paces for a variety of reasons.  Teachers constantly struggle with finding time to provide remediation for a few students while at the same time trying to teach all of the required content and skills by the end of the year.  One option that could help with this dilemma is to create an impossible to fail quiz.  How is making a quiz impossible to fail helping provide remediation you ask?  Simple.  If a student answers a question incorrectly, they are directed to a video, reading, or lesson that reviews the concept.  Students cannot move forward on the quiz until the response is correct.

  • Note:  While this would be a great way to help students review for an assessment or to reteach a concept, the results provided should not be used to determine the level of understanding.  An additional assessment should be given in order to truly determine whether the student learned the skills or concepts.
Visit the link to access directions on how to set up this type of quiz using Google Forms.

2. Record Keeping:  (Track Accommodations, Behavior, and Parent Communication)


One of the most time consuming tasks as a teacher is keeping detailed and accurate records for each student.   Documentation is important, whether you are trying to keep track of behavior issues or academic interventions for individual students.  Google Forms can be an easy way to help manage the collection of the data.  Creating the forms takes some thought because you must think about what you want from the results and whether individual forms need to be created or whether a generic form would be sufficient.

Check out these resources below:


3. Rubrics:


Teachers are always looking for more efficient ways to grade student work.  Good news!  Google Forms can help.  Simply create a form using the rubric criteria for the assignment.  As you read through an assignment, complete a form, submit the responses, and repeat the process for the next student.  All of the grading information is organized on the Google Spreadsheet linked to the form.  

Watch this video for directions on how to create a rubric.

  • Note:  You can even set it up to email each student their results by going to Add-ons on the Responses Spreadsheet →  select Get add- ons → search formMule → Select the Free button.  It is now added to all Spreadsheets.  To access it simply select Add-ons again and find it in the menu.  When launched the add-on will walk you through the steps to setup the email template.

4. Assignment Forms:


While Google Classroom has made it easier for students to turn in work electronically, some teachers prefer linking assignments on a website or calendar so parents can also see what is being assigned. You might like trying to use Google Forms to collect assignments from students so they are not filling up your email with their work.   Create an assignment form that students need to fill out.  Include a space for their name, the assignment title or number, and any other details that you would like to collect.  Then include a question that asks students to paste the URL link  to their assignment in their drive with a reminder to provide editing privileges to you.   Students complete the form, submit it, and then the links to all of their assignments is collated on one Google Spreadsheet.  

  • Note:  Questions could also be added to have students reflect on their learning based on the completion of the assignment.  Have students complete a statement such as “I learned...” or “If I were to do this over, I would change….”  Another option would be to require students to submit a form for any assignments that they choose to redo.  Require students to explain the changes that were made and reflect on the process.

Watch this video for directions on how to create an assignment collection form.

5. Activity Log:


Activity logs offer a way for students to collect data over a period of time and collate the information in one Google Sheet.  PE or Health teachers might want students to keep track of their fitness routine or dietary habits and then analyze their results.  Have students create an activity tracker or fitness log using Google Forms.  Language Arts teachers can have students track their reading and review books.  Science teachers can have students record their lab results using a form to collect data for the class, record multiple trials, or to organize a record of all the labs.  

Check out some examples of Activity Logs here.



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