Scripts are mini-programs that can run inside Google Documents, Google Spreadsheets, and Google Sites. They are free, and can be incredibly powerful and useful.
You can find bunches and bunches of great scripts and templates at youpd.org
You can often run more than one script at a time within a spreadsheet - for example, you might use both Flubaroo and MCQ within a single spreadsheet.
Here are some really useful scripts:
- gClass Folders - Installs as a new spreadsheet. Allows the easy creation of folders that are shared with a class for quick distribution of files to an entire class, or to individuals within a class, with sharing permissions pre-set. This allows you to drag a file into a folder, and have the entire class be able to see it, and/or edit it.
- Doctopus - Installs within an existing spreadsheet. Allows the easy distribution and management of any type of Google Docs file to a list of email addresses hosted on the spreadsheet.
- Goobric - Installs within an existing spreadsheet that has Doctopus installed. Allows you to append a self-created rubric to files shared via Doctopus; this allows you to grade papers within a shared Google document, including a comment box at the end. Once the rubric has been completed, a copy of the completed rubric is appended to the end of the document, AND a copy of the completed rubric is emailed to the person with whom the document was originally shared. Goobric also keeps a record of rubric scores and comments on the Doctopus spreadsheet.
- Flubaroo - Installs within an existing spreadsheet generated by a form. Allows you to create self-correcting quizzes/tests, works out student scores/averages, and analyzes question responses to determine if there are any "bad" questions.
- MCQ Tests - Installs within an existing spreadsheet generated by a form. Allows you to create self-correcting quizzes/tests, works out student scores/averages, and auto-emails students their grade, along with an optional explanation of what they got wrong, what the right answer was, and why the right answer was the right answer.
- Autocrat - Installs within an existing spreadsheet generated by a form. Allows you to generate documents with auto-filled fields that are completed with information gathered from a form.