Using Google Forms for Documentation

Hi Everyone!  About a month ago I replied to a post on Facebook about using Google forms for documentation.  I offered to share the one that I had created for the new Self-Regulation and Well Being frame.  Sooooo many people were sending me their email address!!  I was able to keep up for the first week or so, but after that...I was lost lol.  I am still super happy to share, but needed to add it to my blog so that people could get it here.  I felt so bad that people were asking me for it and I was slow getting back to them.  I apologize for that.  June...craziest month EVER!!!

On to Google Forms...truly one of the hidden gems of Google Apps I think :)  There is so much that we can do in Forms!  I know that I have only scratched the surface.  I would love to hear how you are using forms if you have any ideas!

The key to sharing this though is that everyone HAS TO make a copy of it once they download.  If you do not make a copy, then any changes you make (adding educator names, students names, etc.) will show on the master and everyone will get it.  

To make a copy:
Once you have opened the google Form, click on the 3 dots in the right hand corner.  The top option should be "Make a copy".  Click that, name you new doc, and away you go!  (see image below)

Since I have a little bit more space in the blog to share with you I wanted to share some of our thinking about the Google form:

• There is a way to create a "home button" on your ipad so that you can open directly into this form (rather than having to go into your Drive every time).  I think this will be super great to help with time and ease of use.  Perhaps ask your tech dept to help you set that up.  I am sure we could google it to ;)   I haven't done it yet...I just know the possibility exist.  

• There is also the option to voice record your notes rather than type in your notes.  This is also potentially very time saving.   I have not looked into setting that up yet either, but it is on my to-do list for September.

• The idea for the Google form is that you can give access to whomever you would like to collaborate with on collecting documentation.  All you need to do is share the form with them (again, not the master from my blog, rather the copy you make for yourself).  That way they can enter in information as well.  I love this option for itinerant and prep coverage teachers.  As we are still figuring out how they will be reporting on the new Communication Of Learning, I like that we have it all in one place together.  I think this really helps with the notion of "team".  Everyone collaborating together and sharing their documentation.  You can share it with your teaching partner(s) in 2 different ways.  I think how you share it will be depending on your partnership and your needs/situation.  You can simply click the share button in the top right hand corner of the form, and away they go.  Or you can add them as a collaborator, which would allow them to edit the questions on the form.  See the pic above to find the "Add collaborators" options as well.  Only people who are collaborators can see all of the entries.  This also means that they can delete entries.  I know with some of my colleagues who are not as comfy with tech did not want that access - ha!  They just wanted to be able to contribute, and then if they every needed/wanted to look at the overall results, their partner would call it up on their ipad for them.  So, as you can see...totally dependent on the team :)

So that is all I have you on Google Forms lol.  I am not an expert, but I am happy to help in anyway that I can.  Please leave questions or comments below and I will try to get back to you (Faster that I did on Facebook - ha!)

Talk again soon,
Carly

Click here to access the Google Form