I use this tool to publish an online registration form for our District Tech Workshops. The data is collected in an online spreadsheet at Google Docs that I can access from any computer connected to the Internet. I receive an email whenever someone registers. I also provide a link which visitors can click to view the spreadsheet of registered participants, but not edit it.

I also used this tool as a part of my safety lesson. It was the first day for the 8th graders to use the laptops in class. I was asked to go over the rules and expectations, hardware basics, and safety. I wanted to give the students an opportunity to use the laptops and avoid them passively watching my presentation. After composing 8 questions, I created an online form for each. I edited the confirmation message to include feedback, the correct answer and further safety tips related to the question. I created a link to each of the 8 online forms/questions on their class website. After reading a questions in my slideshow and discussing it with their team, students would submit their team’s color and their answer. When I saw most of the students were finished entering responses, I would display the spreadsheet of data. The students enjoyed seeing all the responses displayed. Since they didn’t have to use their names, they weren’t embarrassed by wrong answers. Because I repeated the lesson several times throughout the school day, I would have to clear the content in the 8 spreadsheets before the start of the next class.

We also have used a Google Docs form to collect students’ passwords for their online accounts (epals and Google Docs) so that the teachers can quickly remind forgetful students.

Mrs. Crandall, one of our High School teachers, is creating forms in Google Docs to use as electronic worksheets in her class. She feels the students will be more motivated when using a digital worksheet, as opposed to paper pencil. All the results will be accumulated into one spreadsheet which can easily be graded. No paper or copies required.

I’ve embedded a Google Docs form below for you to use. Please submit any ideas you have for how you can use a Google Docs form in your classroom. The results from the survey can be viewed here.

1. Enter the addresses in Column A.
2. Enter the name of the building in Column B.
3. Select the data with a click and drag.
4. Click the Insert button and choose Gadget.
5. In the Add a Gadget window on the right, click the Maps link.
6. Under Map, click the Add to spreadsheet button.
7. Enter a Title if desired. Check the box for “Last column as tooltips.” This displays the name of the building when the tack is clicked or hovered over.
8. Click the Save & Close button.
9. When I added another building to the spreadsheet, is was automatically displayed on the map.
10. Click the Gadget menu button and choose Publish.
11. Copy and paste the provided code to publish the gadget in a webpage.

As you can see below, the code works well in an Edublog’s post.

The Organizational Chart could be used to generate a calling tree, change of command, etc. The Gauges look fun. I’ll try that next.

I was surprised to find Pivot Tables, a more advanced feature that I use in Excel to track Federal Programs’ Budgets. And, of course, there is are search gadgets. (We are talking Google here.) Just enter a few search terms in a cell, select the cell, and insert a Web Search or Image Search gadget. There are many other gadgets available.

There are a few other upgrades. The new “Set Notification Rules” allows you to choose to receive an email when changes are made to the spreadsheet. Three formulas for sorting and filtering data have been added. The color palette has been expanded. The Delete menu features a Clear Comments option.
tag: edtech K12 Google Docs Spreadsheets Gadget

Picnik, the online image editor, is now offering all their features for free, on an ad-supported version. Previously some of the cool features were disabled on free accounts, requiring a $24.95 annual subscription for full access. As long as the new ads in the footer can be ignored or don’t feature provocative content, this is great news. Premium users now have the benefits of an ad-free experience, and a few other features.

Google Docs: Documents now has a new edit toolbar. The changes are cosmetic and office-like. I’m glad the “Check Spelling” has been moved to the toolbar.

New Toolbar:

Old Toolbar:

tag: Picnik Google Docs K12 edtech photos documents