Backwards Planning your Google Forms - begin with the end in mind

Purpose & objective

Challenges
Educators often struggle with data collection and analysis using Google Forms due to inadequate planning and design. This can cause issues with inefficient data or data collection that doesn't allow for manipulating data.

The Technology intervention is focused primarily on setting up Google Forms and the best ways to make forms to improve how to collect and analyze data. This also includes how to use Google Sheets to filter and sort data.

The main objectives for this session are

Identifying your data needs and usage of data. Understand the importance of the type of data you want to collect and how to strategically plan for that data when using Google Forms.

Avoid common Forms mistakes. Participants will be able to identify and analyze common mistakes that are make when designing Google Forms.

Implementing best practices when creating a form. Participants will learn how to design forms with strategies that include separate questions for names, image usage, consistent data collection using drop-downs and how to create forms branching. Also how best to create forms for the end user in mind.

Effectively manipulate data. Learn how to sort, filter and apply conditional formatting to data within Google Sheets.

Evidence of Success: The success of this presentation will be through the engagement of the participants when taking the different Google Forms and then the ability to actively apply the concepts and strategies in tandem with the presenter. Success will be an increased confidence of the participants moving forward in how the create and utilize Google Forms more effectively. Participants will leave with practical knowledge that can be implemented consistently in the future as well as a collection of already made Forms templates.

Outline

-Introduction (3 minutes)
Welcome and introduction of the topic as well as how to use Pear Deck to interact with the material.

- Thinking About Data Needs (7 minutes)
Discuss the significance of thinking about data needs before creating a Google Form. Explain how data will be used, whether through the spreadsheet, filtering, sorting, or visual representations or use with Google Forms responses. Decide on Forms responses how the different types of visual graphs are associated with various question types.

- Analyzing Mistakes with a "what not do do" Quiz (15 minutes)
Present a quiz with teacher-created questions that illustrate common design mistakes. Analyze the quiz results to demonstrate how poor question design can lead to confusing charts, incorrect data, and data that is difficult to manipulate.

- Implementing Best Practices (20 minutes)
Introduce a best practices Google Form, contrasting it with the earlier quiz and have participants take the quiz.
Best practices collaborative Google Form- we will build it together.
- Separate questions for first and last names.
- Using images in multiple-choice questions.
- Employing drop-down lists for consistent data.
- Choosing between multiple-choice and checkbox questions.
- Clarifying grid-style question choices.
- Providing an "other" option for topics not listed.
- Creating even linear choice options.
- Offering optional questions for additional data.
- Strategically designing Google Forms branching.

-Data Manipulation on Google Sheets ( 10 minutes)
Share techniques for sorting, filtering, and conditional formatting of data within Google Sheets.

- Accessing Templates (7 minutes)
Showcase various templates for educators, such as homework trackers and behavior logs. Discuss how these templates can streamline daily tasks and enhance organization.

- Conclusion and Recap (3 minutes)
Summarize key takeaways and best practices and give the link of the presentation to the participants.

Supporting research

https://pce.sandiego.edu/backward-design-in-education/ - The importance of backwards design for lesson plans- and using those strategies and ideas for forms data collection.

Another article with similar ideas, incorporating and thinking about technology. https://tll.mit.edu/teaching-resources/course-design/backward-design/