One of my favorite tools for engaging online learners has always been the Google Form. Anyone with a Gmail account has the ability to design a form, share it electronically, and collect information in real-time from audiences near and far. The interactivity of the form makes it quite engaging, and the tremendous possibilities for using the form to personalize learning in the Virtual Classroom are abundant. Here are 3 great ways to use a Google Form.
To Guide the Learning
Here is an example of a form I created to pre-assess student understanding of a topic prior to a unit of study. The form was designed to level the playing field for all participants and provide a platform for them to self-assess their own understanding.
I used a variety of question types to collect information, but the guided learning is achieved through the use of multiple choice questions that offer the option to “go to section based on answer”. This feature allows users to choose their own learning paths.
Take a spin through this sample form below to test it out.
To Create an Interactive Map
The form below was designed to engage live audience participants in creating an interactive map on the spot with Google Forms, Sheets, and an amazing Add-on called Mapping Sheets.
Since the interactive map is powered by Google, the tools are widely available to all districts using Google for Education. In addition, the tools are accessible and built to support the unique learning needs of ALL learners. They are flexible to support curriculum aligned activities across all content areas and grade levels and they work well with participants across town or across the planet.
Explore the Form and contribute an image to the interactive map
To Connect & Keep the Conversation Going
If you’re looking for a quick and organized way to connect with students, parents, or collaborators, the Google Form might be the answer. You can use a form to take a quick class vote and view the results in a graph. You can capture a group’s attention by providing them with opportunities to speak out through open-ended questions and keep them engaged through 1-1 feedback.
Check out the form I created to connect with my audience of educators and please consider signing up to receive my newsletter with more tech tips for teaching in the Virtual Classroom.
Cool Tools for 21st Century Learners 