This week I was introduced to Google Forms as a classroom tool.
What went well or not well?
I have used Google Docs for several years, so I was familiar with the interface, but I had never attempted Google Forms before. I found it just as easy to use as the other Google Docs tools. Of course, it is a bit limited in terms of capabilities, but since it's free, I can't complain. The process of creating a form is simple. The only difficulty that I had was in trying to edit one that was already created, but it didn't take me long to figure out how to do that either. The form can be emailed to students (which can pose difficulties in schools without sufficient technology access) or it can be embedded in a website or blog...as I have done below.
How will you use this tool?
If I have a class with computer access, I could easily see myself using Google Forms once a week. It is great for pre-assessments. I might use it to survey student interests. I might survey my fellow teachers or even poll parents to get their thoughts about a particular topic. I would definitely use it for short quizzes. I might even open myself up to student evaluations using Google Forms (if the class is mature enough to give useful feedback). The spreadsheet function means that my data would be instantly graphable and easy to read. The limitations of using Google Forms is that a classroom would have to have sufficient computer access.
What will you do differently next time?
I am still trying to think of a good way to have students use this tool to create an artifact. I want them to create a survey or assessment themselves, so that they can begin to think about the nature of assessment and also gain valuable tech skills. I am sure that many businesses/organizations use Google Forms on a regular basis. If I can find a way for my upper-level students to begin using it, then they will have yet another tool in their professional toolbox. The opportunity is there; I just have to find a way to properly frame the task.
No comments:
Post a Comment