12 Things SWKLS: Thing 1

Introduction

Welcome to the first thing in 12 Things SWKLS.    This month we will be learning about Google Forms.

The activities for this lesson are due May 31, 2016 at 11:59 pm central time and are worth 2 credit hours.  Estimated work time:  1-2 hours.

If you would rather complete an alternate topic, please go to the alternate topic page and pick one from the list.

Google Forms are a free tool in Google Drive that you can use to create polls, manage event registrations, surveys, etc.  The great thing is that you can share the results with others and collaborate.  The results can also easily be put into a spreadsheet which can be very useful for creating signup sheets, printing name tags, etc.

Content

Google Forms can be used on your website, Facebook, email, etc for: 

• Summer Reading Signup
  • Lane County
  • Greeley County
  • Cimarron City Library
  • Scott County Library
• ILL Requests
  • Cimarron City Library Example
• Program Signups
  • Stevens County Circle Time
  • SWKLS Storywalk Collection Signup
• Surveys

Google Forms have two views.  The participant view and the admin view.

The participant view:  

• The view your participants see when they fill out a form
• All participants see is the form itself
• Participants can’t edit the form

Participant View Example:

The admin view:

• The form can be edited and changed here
• Ability to preview, share, etc
• The results can be viewed

Admin View Example:

What you’ll need to create a form:

• A Google Account
  • Most of you with library email addresses have one of these.
  • If you aren’t sure see if you can go to www.gmail.com and log in with your library email address and password.  (Or call a SWKLS tech person and they can tell you.)
  • If you don’t have a Google (gmail) account, please sign up for one.
• An idea for a form for your library, a local entity, or a personal event.
  • If someone at your library usually does your forms or you can’t think of a form to create; you can always create a form for a church event, local club you belong to, birthday party, bbq, etc.
• A way to share it.  Email, Facebook, webpage, etc.

Exercises:  (Due May 31, 2016 at 11:59 pm central time)

1. Print out the Google Form Cheat Sheet.
2. Create a Google Form for your library, a local entity, or a personal event.
   • Written Instructions:  Get Started with Google Forms
   • How to Create a Form (9+ min video)
   • How to Share a Form (6+ min video)
     • Skip the first min if you know how to login to get to your forms.
   • How to View Responses in Google Forms (4:45 min video)
   • If you’re stuck and need help, ask for help from the SWKLS office or someone else at your library.
   • If you’re a fairly experienced Google Form user, be creative and try out a new feature in Google Forms.  Add a picture, add a video,  create a dropdown list, setup notifications, embed your form on your website, etc.
3. Post this form on your library website and/or Facebook.
   • Alternately, you can also email it to people to complete.
4. Post a comment down below with the following:
   1. Your Name
   2. What kind of form did you create?
   3. A link to where your form was posted or a link directly to your form.
   4. What was the most valuable thing you learned this lesson?
   5. How you would like to use forms at your library in the future?
   6. How many people have filled out your form?
5. Reply to at least one other person’s comment in the thread below.
6. Fill out this Google Form for verification and practice.

Note:  We have comment moderation on, so it may take awhile for your comment to appear.  Don’t panic if it doesn’t appear immediately.