Google Forms is a great tool for creating surveys and quizzes, and its user-friendly features allows easy accessibility by all. By logging into a Google account, Google provides Forms as one of its many resources to enhance a classroom experience. Some noteworthy features include the ability make certain questions require responses, the unique formatting settings, and the option to upload images and videos straight from your computer. Google Forms provides students with an interactive experience and helps teachers gauge the effectiveness of their instruction when they review the submitted responses. You can even use this tool in environments outside of the usual classroom. Its versatility makes it stand out!
Tying into Domain 3 of the Danielson Framework, Google Forms encompasses Instruction. At its basis, it serves as a customizable assessment tool. By providing the option of making the form a quiz or just leaving it without a point value system, it gives educators the free reign to utilize formative or summative assessment. The teacher decides the quality and type of question to best suit the needs of the students. Additionally, the online format engages learners and allows them to work at their own pace. By incorporating a Google Form into a lesson, the student can actively think about what they are learning, and the visual quiz can help them retain such information and eventually store it in their long-term memory. Google Forms also provides the responses of the students to the teachers so that necessary reflections and adjustments can be made to the lesson.
This tech tool also relates to the ISTE Standards for Students, specifically Domain 1: Empowered Learner. According to this aspect of the standards, students take an active role in setting their own goals (Component 1a) and demonstrating their newfound skills and knowledge using different technological platforms. Google Forms provides a way for students to assess their own knowledge and prove their understanding to the teacher, and it also brings to their attention the areas which require improvement (Component 1c). According to Component 1b, the students can also customize their learning, especially since this site allows formatting and varying question styles from which to choose. In addition to the ISTE Standards, Google Forms opens avenues for the Four C's of Teaching and Learning. It indirectly emphasizes communication as the students demonstrate their knowledge to the teacher, essentially informing the educator of what needs improvement and clarification. Although Google Forms are often sent out to individual people, the results and questions can be discussed in class; students could create their own forms as well as a collaborative project. The tech tool promotes critical thinking in its nature as the educator regulates the difficulty level of the question, therefore providing the opportunity to challenge the students. By varying the styles and formatting of the survey/quiz, teachers and students can display their knowledge creatively. Google Forms connects people and allows for a better learning process.
I am extremely impressed with Google Forms' customizable features and feel that it creates an atmosphere of excitement for learning and improvement. It indirectly promotes the skills of goal-setting and problem-solving and creates a clearer connection between effective teaching practices and the resultant learning. I can absolutely see myself using this tool as either a pretest or a digital exit slip in my future classroom. In the form of a pretest, the students would explain to me their prior knowledge of a subject in a survey. That way, I could have all their answers and goals recorded and stored in one spot. This would therefore guide my planning. I could also construct exit slips and quizzes for the students to gauge their knowledge before and after class. This simply provides clearer observations for me to use while reflecting on my methods. Google Forms increases communication and challenges all of us to continue improving; therefore, it deserves recognition.
Check out the Google Form I created to assess students' understanding about digital safety and citizenship!