Google Sheets

Google Forms Challenge

by Katherine Ramsey

• What did you create, and why? 

         I created a Google Sheets spreadsheet to track returning students' summer growth or slide data. I used formatting, formulas, and conditional formatting in order to make data easier to interpret.

• What went well for you?

         Most of it worked well for me. I was excited to hear about the "Explore" button! I have always had issues with creating charts so it's nice to know that Google Sheets has already done what I was probably going to do anyway.

• What was challenging?

        Two or three of the tutorials froze and would not resume playing, even after rebooting and starting them again. That was frustrating. I also couldn't figure out how to create a header or footer other than by typing them into the spreadsheet itself.

• What did you enjoy? 

        I enjoyed working through the tutorials and setting up the spreadsheet. I am hopeful that I will enjoy creating a chart that will be easy to interpret when I get the data in September.

• What ideas do you have for using this tool with your students, grade level, staff or to communicate with families? 

         I will use Google Sheets a lot! I like the fact that the Sheet can be shared. I will teach my students how to use Sheets during the first month of the year and am thinking about having them keep a spreadsheet of some sort that they use to track information throughout the year. My department tracks IEPs on a shared Google Sheet. I don't see a use for this in order to communicate with families.