Google Productivity Assignment

Here is a link to the Google Document that my group created:

https://spreadsheets0.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dHdUVTY3azR0MFdmUWFCTGhlLU94X0E6MA#gid=0

Google Forms is a tool that will let an aspiring teacher create tests, surveys, and other forms.  In addition to creating the forms, it will also allow the teacher to collect, organize and display the collected information in a variety of ways, including graphs and charts!

Google Forms can enhance teaching and learning in a variety of ways:

1. proofreading and editing
2. forming templates
3. it can eliminate paper waster
4. google is non-proprietary so everyone can use it for free!
5. because it is internet based anyone with a computer can access the forms 
6. a teacher can see in the areas students are strong and and the areas they are weak
7. excellent in being able to identify trends

These were my initial thoughts: I was honestly blown away by this application.  The fact that I can collaborate with fellow students and write my own response at the exact same time that someone else can on the same document is mind blowing.  I would have killed to know about this during my time as an undergraduate student here at Willamette.  At this point, I don’t see why Willamette bothers with assigning their own email addresses.  It would be much easier to have everyone do gmail and give a short seminar when everyone starts at the university.  Everyone would be much more productive and collaborative learning, which in part is a major goal of the university, could be achieved much easier.  I’m going to work a bit more on the questions and see how it goes...  I just finished typing out the rest of the questions on the spreadsheet but I still don’t know how to make it so that people can respond to the questions without having others see their answers, which is an obvious and important aspect of a questionnaire. I can see under the form subheading that you can see a summary of responses and embed the questionnaire in a webpage making it accessible to everyone who might need it.  Overall, I’m very impressed with this application and as I learn to use it more, I can put it to better use.

I think that it simply takes a little bit of time before getting to know the program before being able to quickly and proficiently do things.  I often find myself just swinging my mouse around as my brain searches for where the button is that allows me to do what I want to do.