Introduction
Google Forms is part of G-Suite software and allows you to create quizzes, conduct assessments (self-grading too!) and collect information through surveys, sign-up sheets, self-evaluations, and more. This data can be automatically compiled and organized in a spreadsheet.
But wait...we are just scratching the surface here! Google Forms can enrich our instruction and do so much more. Today, let's take a look at one innovative way of using Google Forms in our classroom!
Task
Escape rooms are popular among students and can teach valuable skills such as teamwork, problem solving and time management. Did I forget to mention that they are really fun too? A digital breakout can create a meaningful and relevant learning experience all the while engaging your students!
Using Google Forms, your task is to create a digital breakout on a specific topic of your choice. Here are some steps to get you started:
Step 1: Choose a skill/topic of focus
Decide which skill or information you want to assess through the breakout activity. Perhaps you want to assess your students' knowledge of food webs or figurative language in poetry. Whatever your topic is, it will determine the material you provide (i.e., website article, video, textbook page, etc.) and the specific answers that will open each lock. Once you have selected your topic, prepare or find the material that will be use throughout the activity. You may provide these documents to students separately or make them all accessible on a single document (i.e., posting info/links to all the materials on a Google Slide or Doc). Students will be browsing through these resources for clues and answers to solve the locks.
Step 2: Create the challenges/locks
Each lock that you create will correspond to a specific activity or section within that activity (i.e., different parts of an article or textbook reading).
You can prepare original materials/activities so that they provide a code of some sort when students successfully complete them. This code would then be the answer to a lock.
OR
An easier prep option would be to present students with premade resources (i.e., videos, articles) that they will either have to read, watch or interpret in order to find the answer to your clue. In this case, the clue for your lock needs to be specific enough so students know exactly what to look for. Again, your clue would reflect the information that you want students to learn about and understand.
At this stage, you want to determine what your clues and answers will be for each lock!
Step 3 (Optional): Set the scene
Be creative! Give students some context behind the purpose of this activity or an end goal that they are working to achieve. For example, maybe students need to escape a haunted house before midnight (i.e., 40 minute timer) or complete a mission in order to save the day!
We will look at the technical skills you will need in the "process" section coming up next!
Process
Getting Started
1. While logged on to your school account, go to forms.google.com and click blank +. This will create and open a new form. You will be able to find and access this form in your Google Drive afterwards.
2. Add a title and description for your activity
Review the basics (if necessary)
If you are still unfamiliar with how to use Google Forms, check out this video that provides an overview of the icons: https://edpuzzle.com/media/5fd1466db505454147dfdc23
For a more detailed look at these functions, please review this webpage: https://www.howtogeek.com/434570/the-beginners-guide-to-google-forms/
Create your digital breakout
1. Select Short answer as your question type
2. Make sure that the required feature is enabled. Be sure to check mark the description and data validation functions in the menu (three dots) found in the bottom right corner.
3. Create your clue
When creating clues, refer to the resources that you will be providing your students. For example, if you want students to watch a video, preview it yourself and determine the content that you want students to learn and identify as the answer to your clue. Your clue can be stated as "6 letter word", "3 digit number" or include a specific statement/question that will direct and help students as they explore each material.
- Write your clue in the "Untitled Question" section
- In the description section found just below, provide instructions on how the answer should be written. Your answer is case sensitive and will require students to input it exactly as you have. For instance, write "ALL CAPS" or "no caps" to help students with this process.
4. Create your answer
For a text answer:
- In left the drop-down menu select "text"
- In the middle drop-down menu select "contains"
- In the text section, type your answer (case sensitive)
- Add a message such as "Try again" or offer an additional hint in the custom error text section that will appear if students provide an incorrect answer
For a number answer:
- In left the drop-down menu select "number"
- In the middle drop-down menu select "equal to"
- In the number section, type your answer
- Add a message such as "Try again" or offer an additional hint in the custom error text section that will appear if students provide an incorrect answer
5. Add a new question using the plus (+) icon found on the right vertical bar and repeat steps 1-4. Continue to do this until you have made as many clues/locks as you desire for your breakout activity.
While you work, be sure to preview your activity using the eye icon located at the top right of the page.
Feeling stuck? Watch this short demo for help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUBgKTNr4_8&ab_channel=KellyWeets
Conclusion
Well done! You have successfully created your own digital breakout using Google Forms. This activity has automatically been saved in your Google Drive and can easily be shared with your students on Google Classroom!
Please take a moment to reflect on your learning, provide feedback or ask questions on the following Google Form (ironic, huh?):
https://forms.gle/mw89HtbkYVDV92oN9