Form Archives • TechNotes Blog

Solution #1 – Forms Connect

This solution, available in iPhone and iPad app versions, as well as a pro version, defines itself in this way:

The FormConnect and FormConnect Pro apps allow you to create various types of forms including patient intake, customer contact, onsite inspection reports, invoices, expense reports, proposals, purchase orders, surveys, and more. The data collection app will set you back $14.99, offering an impressive list of features.

Solution #2 – iFormBuilder

Zerion Software’s iFormBuilder boasts an impressive list of features, including data encryption and secure data storage on the device with an internet connection. Some key features include “27 element types, powerful smart logic, and smart table search.” Although a robust solution, cost may become a factor given that pricing starts at $5K+.

Solution #3 – GoFormZ

GoFormZ offers the ability to scan existing printed paper forms via the web, then convert them into a mobile-friendly form. The form will work on all mobile devices and via the web.

You can use the form editor to create drop-down lists, automate calculations, embed maps and photos, and add data sources for list items. Setting up an account is fairly quick.

Solution #4 – WuFoo for Education

Branding itself as a “choose your own adventure story” for form development, Wufoo automatically builds the database, backend, and scripts needed to make collecting and understanding your data easy, fast, and fun. Because they host everything, all you need is a browser, an internet connection, and a few minutes to build a form and start using it right away. It comes with 400 + templates.

Solution #5 – Microsoft Forms and/or Google Forms

Forms creation solutions from Microsoft and Google make it easy to get started. While neither offers an exclusive iOS app (yet?), accessing these forms are a cinch via the iOS Safari browser. Whatever tool you decide upon, both offer a wealth of features that make form creation and data aggregation easier (read Forms Smackdown blog entry for more details).

Also, Google Forms has a series of templates (if you need inspiration from the old Google Forms templates, be sure to investigate those before “early 2017” when they will go away) to get you started. I have no doubt Microsoft Forms will eventually feature a template gallery, too!

During a recent Google Educator Level I training, a participant asked, “Have you ever used a Google Form to create a rubric?” No one in the training, including myself, had ever used Google Forms this way.

We all agreed that rubrics are great for students. Rubrics clearly communicate what is expected and give students the opportunity to do a self-assessment to reflect on their learning process. In the past, I’ve had students evaluate their own and their peers’ performance using rubrics. What I particularly like about using rubrics is that they can be customized to suit any classroom activity. Had I created my rubrics in Google Forms, my life would have been so much easier.

Below are a few ways to create rubrics in Google Forms.

Use Grid-Type Questions

Using grids is typically how most rubrics are set up. When the user completes this type of rubric, he will be presented with a grid of rows and columns and will need to click a single cell to place his response for each row.

To create a grid-type rubric:

Create a Google Form and enter a title.
Type in your overall question, directions, or topic that will apply to each question in the grid (for example, Presentation Rubric).
Select the grid-type question.
For the columns, enter your rubric scale. For example, 4 = Excellent.
For the rows, enter your rubric criteria. For example, Student presents information in logical sequence.
Click Done and preview your form.

Click here to see my rubric using a grid-type question.

Use Scale-Type Questions in Rubrics

Using scales is another way to set up your rubric. When the user completes this type of rubric, he will be presented with a scale of values on which to place his response.

To create a scale-type rubric:

Create a Google Form and enter a title.
Type in your overall question, criteria, or topic that will apply to the scale (for example, Organization).
Enter help text, if needed, to help identify point values of the scale.
Select the scale-type question.
Add your scale by entering a starting point (0 or 1) and an ending point (up to 10) for your scale.
Next, add values for the starting point, such as Disorganized and add values for the ending point, such as Very Organized.
Click Done and preview your form.

Click here to see my rubric using scale-type questions.

Other Items to Add to Your Form

Some other helpful items to add to your form at the beginning include:

The name of the evaluator
The class period
A unique identifier (a code or number assigned to the student who is being evaluated)

Make these required questions by checking the box at the bottom of the question. That way, these questions won’t accidently be skipped.

Collecting Responses

As you most likely know, one of the beautiful features of Google Forms is that it automatically collects responses in a Google Sheet. Once all responses have been collected, you can then add formulas and sort the data in order to analyze it.

Now’s the time to stop using paper rubrics, like I once did. Try re-creating them in Google Forms. If you are already creating rubrics in Google Forms, I’d love to hear from you. Share your examples with me at dbenner@tcea.org.

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