Mallette, M., & Barone, D. (2013). On Using Google Forms. Reading Teacher, 66(8), 625-630.
"Google
Forms is a free and easy web-based application for collecting information
through online surveys and forms. Responses are sent directly to a spreadsheet,
which is set up for easy analysis, and automatically saved and stored on your
Google drive" (Mallette & Barone, 2013). This article is a great
resource in terms of giving teachers 8 ways to easily incorporate Google Forms
into the classroom. The list consists of the following: Library Book Check Out,
Online Reading Records, Reading Journals, Collaborating on Definitions, Student
Notes, Playing Jeopardy with a Survey Form as the "Buzzer", Get
Feedback from Parent, & Stimulating Staff Meeting Debate (Mallette & Barone,
2013).
Out of all of these different ways to bring Google Forms
into the classroom, Student Notes and Get Feedback from Parents are the two
tools I could see myself using as an elementary general music teacher. Student
Notes allows for students to give their peers feedback on their assignments in
real time, while on the other hand, Getting Feedback from Parents gives
teachers an alternative way to community and interact with their students'
families. (Mallette & Barone, 2013)
By allowing
students to take notes about their classmate's work, the teacher is integrating
a type of learning culture in the building that encourages student
collaboration and reflection. In this type of learning environment, students
are invited to use technology in a personal way to them. In music, I could have
students share their compositions with the class. After the students share,
each student has the opportunity to express what they liked about the
composition and why. This would challenge students to understand how to give
appropriate feedback while also allowing building each other up with positive
words of encouragement.
By getting
feedback from parents, this is a great anonymous way for parents to share their
thoughts, while also getting specific information you are asking for. You could
use this feature of Google Forms to also ask for parent volunteers, invite them
to the classroom, and register students for an ensemble. For this next year, I
will be starting the first elementary choir at my building. I have already
found after school performance opportunities for the students, and by creating
a Google Form that allows parents the ability to sign up their child for any of
these opportunities is more convenient for everyone, and less paperwork to have
to deal with. That alone is why Google Forms could be a great resource in my
classroom.
