Using Google Forms as a writing frame - Take 2

Following on from my previous post about using Google Forms to help compile profiles for new bloggers, I have a few updates to share.

I wasn't satisfied with using an add on that only had a limited trial period, and thanks to my mate Vicki, I have another tool called Autocrat that does the job for free. Yay! To get Autocrat, you need to use the add ons menu in Google Sheets. Helpful tip if you're going to use this add on is to make sure your spreadsheet settings are accurate: File > Spreadsheet Settings > General.

Fiona also suggested that it might be helpful to record a demonstration of the merging process, so I have done that too. Please let me know how you get on with this, if you use it. I would also be interested to know of any other classroom uses you can think of for this kind of 'form + template + merge = save admin time' idea.

Using Google Forms as a writing frame.

Our schools seem to be growing rapidly, which sometimes involves a few creative rooming solutions. This has meant that a few of the classes I facilitate in are now year 2, 3, 4 classes where some students need a lot of scaffolding to use and write on their chromebooks. With this in mind, I knew that I needed to do something to make creating a blog profile accessible to all learners. I was thinking about the literacy strategy of writing frames, that help students with the structure of writing. I wanted to try using a google form to collect personal information that students wanted to share in their profile, and then using mail merge to complete the profile. I put together this form, that asked students some questions and allows them to upload a profile photo. I then wrote up this simple writing frame, and used an add on called smartsheet merge to complete the mail merge, as this is something that is not available in docs (yet). 

   

Overall, I was pretty happy with the result as every student was able to share information about themselves and it was quick and easy for me/their teacher to transfer the information to individual student blogs. There are a few things that could be problematic however, as smartsheet is available for free on a trial basis, but then it's a paid subscription. Another thing is that the quality of pictures that students take with the camera on their chromebooks is pretty average, so they might need a redo. 

Any suggestions for other programs or add ons that could do something similar for free?