FORMS 411
I absolutely love Google products, and Forms might just be one of the most versatile tools in the workspace. From surveys to assessments to data collection, Forms can meet so many of our needs! Like all tech tools, though, it’s constantly evolving and updating. Lately, I’ve noticed more and more form links that I can’t access—thanks to the new Published Settings. Let’s take a look at some of the 411 about forms, so we can best use this AMAZING tool!
Published Settings 📚
In winter 2024, Google changed the way Forms are shared. Now, instead of simply sending the link, you first need to Publish the form and then share the link. If you copy the link without publishing, no one will be able to access it.
While this may feel like an extra step, it comes with a big benefit: as the creator, you can unpublish a form, make edits, republish, and share it again. This is especially helpful for forms you reuse year after year, or when you need to fix a quick mistake.
Check out the steps below to learn how to publish and share a form!
Response Receipt 🧾
A response receipt is a great way to send participants a copy of their answers. While it’s not ideal for assessments, it’s highly recommended for surveys or ungraded assignments. This feature confirms that the form was successfully submitted and gives respondents a record they can refer back to later.
Watch the video below to learn how to enable this helpful feature.
Locked Mode 🔒
Want students focused on their writing—not distracted by other tabs? Try Google Forms Locked Mode. This feature doesn’t have to be tied to a quiz. Simply switch the form to “Quiz” mode, set all questions to no points, and toggle on Locked Mode.
When enabled, students using school-issued Chromebooks won’t be able to access other tabs or resources. I’ve found this especially useful for collecting authentic writing samples.
Reuse that Form ♻
No need to copy a form each year—simply unlink it from the spreadsheet and clear out the data. Voilà! Your responses are still stored in the spreadsheet, and you can start fresh without making a duplicate form.
Just be sure to connect the form to a new spreadsheet each time you reuse it.
Note: If you’re using one form for multiple classes at the same time, this method won’t work—you’ll need separate versions of the form.
Use those Forms! Check back on my blog for previous Form posts to see even more great features!
Take care, everyone!
oFIShally Yours,
Erin Fisher 🐟🐟🐟