Module 2: 

Please go through all of the following resources for Module 2:

• Readings

• Articles

• Videos

Then answer the discussion questions found in your LRP 

How do I enhance my classroom procedures with Google Forms and Sheets?

In today's technology-driven society, many of our students are glued to their technology, whether it's a phone, television, tablet, computer, or video game system.  If we can incorporate technology into our lessons and routines, students are more likely to be engaged.    Obviously, incorporating technology into every lesson is difficult and tedious for a lot of us.  For this reason, I have taken a different approach to incorporating technology, instead of simply using it as an assessment.  I have found ways to incorporate technology via Google Forms and Sheets into my daily classroom routines and procedures.  The specific strategies I use in my classroom are detailed throughout the next modules.  

Google forms and sheets can be used in many ways to organize your classroom procedures and make management a lot easier on the instructor.  Students use a device ex: iPad, computer, or phone to complete a google as a sign in/out procedure.

In this module, you will explore how Google Forms and Sheets can specifically enhance your current classroom procedures to make management a better experience for you and your students. 

Methods

Some Ways to use Google Forms and Sheets to address classroom management procedures (Besides Assessments)

Google forms and sheets can be used in many ways to organize your classroom procedures and make management a lot easier on the instructor.  Students use a device ex: iPad, computer, or phone to complete a Google Form, and the data is automatically stored in a Google Sheet.

The following examples focus on replacing traditional paper-based methods/procedures for classroom management.  Some may not fit the need or direction of your classroom/school setting and that is okay! However, I am hoping you can use a few of these ideas in your own setting, or adapt them to meet the individual needs of your classroom.  A lot of these methods are based on a student completing questions on a specific incident through Google Forms.  The information is stored on Google Sheets and emailed to parents/guardians.  Along with each strategy/tool, I have attached links to additional resources for your to explore if you are interested.  I will be covering the first three in more detail in Modules 3 and 4.  

• Digital Hall Pass: One of the best strategies for enhancing classroom management procedures.  A digital hall pass is an online version of a paper hall pass.  Students type in their information into a Google Form and the information is stored on a Google Sheet.  Important details are all saved on Sheets like the date, time, and where the student was going. 

Resources will be in Module 3.

• Digital Reflection Tool: When students misbehave, I like to have students reflect on the behavior.  Students complete a Google Form of reflection questions.  I have an *add-on to my Google Form/Sheet which automatically sends a copy of the student's responses to parents/guardians via email.  All data is recorded on Google Sheets.  

Resources will be in Module 4.

• Digital Referrals: Instead of completing a paper referral and risk it getting lost or forgotten about, you can fill out referrals digitally using Google Forms.  Create a Google Form using the same prompts on a traditional paper referral, and fill it out every time you write one.  Data is stored on Google Sheets for parents, administration, and other teachers.  This can be particularly helpful for admin to provide one Google Form Referral template.  All teachers complete the form when submitting a referral.  This allows all referral data to be stored in one place for admin to access and address.  

Resources will be in Module 4.

• Tardies: What are your tardy procedures?  I used to have students grab a pass from the office, but it took away so much class time, adding to the fact that the student was already late.  I now use a digital tardy questionnaire for students to complete via Google Forms.  Students answer questions about why they are tardy and what they can do to prevent it from happening again.  Again, I have an an *add-on to my Google Form/Sheet which automatically sends a copy of the student's responses to parents/guardians via email.   Parents/Guardians can see the date, class, and their student's reason for being tardy. All data is recorded and stored on Google Sheets. 

Additional Resources: Tardy Tracker Elementary Focused (Teacher Tech Cafe, 2017)  

• Dress Code:  Use Google Forms to record violations of the school dress code.  The educator or student could record the student's information into a google form and that information would be stored in a google sheet.  As more infractions occur, you could do a quick search in the google sheet to see how many infractions each student had.  

Additional Resources: Dress Code Infraction Video (Schattle, 2016)

• Check-in/out supplies like pencils, erasers, calculators, headphones, or laptops: There are many different procedures educators use to address students borrowing supplies.  All that matters is that it supports your classroom.  In this method, students fill out a digital check out sheet, giving their name and item borrowed.  This information, along with the date and time is stored on Google Sheets.  Students then fill out that same form when they return the borrowed item.  I  would recommend this be filled out by the facilitator to ensure the item was actually returned.  For me, this takes process takes a little too long, but it can help with organization if this is a procedure you need help with. 

Additional Resources: Google Form Add on: Check it Out (Behrendt, 2015)

• Parent Communication Log: This can be done in your classroom, by team, or in a whole-school setting.  If a staff member contacts parents/guardians, they record the contact in a google form.  The google form should ask about teacher, student, parent, method of contact (email or phone), and topic (grade, behavior, positive).  The Google sheet records all of this information, along with the date and time.  This sheet can be shared with all those involved.  This can be particularly helpful for IEP meetings, counselors, and data teams.  A quick search in the Google sheet will give facilitators access to who contacted a particular student's parent/guardian, and when the communication took place.  A Digital Parent Communication Log provides evidence of teacher-parent communication that is well-organized for easy accessibility. 

Additional Resources: Parent Contact Log (Samuelson, 2019), Parent Contact Log (Croy, 2018)

• Digital Portfolios: There are many ways to create a digital portfolio with Google Forms, but here is one approach: Students can use a Google Form to submit assignments.  They can insert links or pictures of  their digital work to a Google Form, which then stores all of the information to a single Google Sheet.  This Google Sheet is essential their portfolio.  Every assignment submitted through the Google Form is organized onto that one Google Sheet. 

Additional Resources: TEACH EVERYDAY Blog (Jessica, 2018)  Digital Portfolio (evolvingeducator, 2013)

• IEP's: If you haven't noticed the trend with all of these strategies/tools, it's DATA COLLECTION.  All of the methods for using Google Forms and Sheets to enhance your classroom procedures focus on efficient data collection to support students and guide instruction.  In my experience, the Special Education Department is the most reliant on proper data collection.  Collecting data about student progress and behaviors can be completed and organized digitally with Google Forms and Sheets.  The customization of Google Forms allows you to include prompts/goals that are specifically designed for that student (ex: personal space).  The data charts and graphs on Google Forms and Sheets are particularly helpful to monitor trends of progress and behavior for the student.  If you are in Special Education, and are the variance for a group of students, you can send a Google Form to the general education teachers to gather data for completing IEP's.  

Additional Resources: Special Ed Data Collection (Autism Helper, 2018), Autism Helper Blog: Creating Efficient Goal Plans (Russel, 2020), Using Google Forms to Analyze Data (Long, 2018), Google Forms For Beginners (Long, 2018)

• Positive Reinforcement Lottery System: Instead of only having students complete a google form for a negative behavior, you could do the opposite and reward positive behavior.  Have students complete a reward Google Form.  Students input their name and maybe select a reason for why they get the privilege (Respect, Honesty, Responsibility). All information is stored on a Google Sheet.  The teacher then randomly selects a few students from the Google Sheet to win a prize.  

Additional Resources: Reward Tracker (Fuller, 2018), Document Student Behaviors with Google Forms (Classroom Technology Blog 2013).

Business Example

Other Ways of using Google Forms/Sheets in your classroom:

25 Practical Ways to use Google Forms in class and school (2019)

Blog: National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)

Helping Students Track Their Learning (Bethany Petty 2019)

Hacking G Suite – 4 Creative uses of Google Sheets in the Classroom

From a parent: How to Track your Study Time with Google Forms and Sheets

Module Summary

There are many ways to implement Google Forms and Sheets in your classroom.  The goal is to enhance the current procedures you have in place by making it more efficient and valuable.  Not all of these strategies may apply to your teaching style, classroom setup, age group, or school policies, and that's okay.  The good thing is that all of these strategies can be manipulated to fit your classroom structure.  The main benefit for me is Data Collection!  All of your submissions and data from Google Forms can automatically be transferred into a Google Sheet stored online.  In my experience, data collection is something that many educators feel could be a useful tool, but never seem to have time for because of all of our meetings, parent phone calls, and of course.... teaching/managing 20+ students at any given time.  My procedures using Google Forms and Sheets have allowed me to collect meaningful data, while still maintaining these responsibilities effectively.  I typically have my students complete and submit the Google Form on their own, and then I check the submission later on the Google Sheet (typically at the end of the day).  This allows me to keep teaching or doing whatever I am doing, while the student is essentially collecting the data "for me".  I mention this, because this method is very student driven, and it may not work for your culture, group of students, or school (especially elementary aged students).  The important thing is that you find a method that works for you and your students.  Think about effective strategies to support your classroom needs, while still effectively enhancing the data collection process.