Using Google Forms to Track Student Behaviour

I've blogged in the past about using Google Forms and Google Docs to create online forms which feed data to a spreadsheet, where it can be compiled, analyzed, and graphed.

Recently, I've done some work with a school to create an online student behaviour tracking form.   I think this is an excellent example of tapping the power of Google Docs for a very practical educational purpose.

 Here is how the system works:

• To report an incident, staff members click on a shortcut which is shared on the school network (in a location accessible only to staff members).
• The shortcut takes staff members directly to the online form.
• Staff members complete the form  by selecting the student's name and their own name from drop-down menus, then documenting the levels of behaviour evident within several specific categories (simple checklists) and making any anecdotal comments.  The form can be completed in a matter of 30 seconds to a minute.
• This data is automatically transcribed to a spreadsheet where it is tallied and graphed.  Access to the spreadsheet data is shared among the student services teacher, school administration, and any student services personnel involved with the student(s) in question.
• The Student Services Teacher can edit the form him/herself to add student names or edit the staff list.
• The spreadsheet provides a filter, so that data and graphs for a particular student can be isolated.

If you would like to know more about this application of Google Forms, you can check out the live form here.    Feel free to fill it in.  Once you have used the form, you can see how your data (and that of others who have used the form) looks within the spreadsheet by clicking here.  To view the graph for a student, click on the "Frequency and Severity Chart" tab at the top of the spreadsheet.

If you are interested in this application of Google Forms or have any questions about it, please let me know.