Give Customised Feedback Using Google Forms

Reposted with permission from blog.texthelp.com

Google Forms Logo

Last week I spent some time with a colleague showing teachers how to provide customise feedback to students using Google Forms. Typically Google Forms are used to create simple surveys or quizzes. The form results are then dumped into a spreadsheet that can be reviewed anytime. However, with just a few additional tweaks you can really take advantage of what Google Forms can do in the classroom.

Take the example of homework… One of the key components of ensuring students complete work outside of class is providing support when they get stuck. This becomes increasingly important in later grades when parents may not be able to provide the necessary supports themselves (my daughter is currently in 2nd grade and I am already having this problem).

One way to help using Google Forms is by providing customised feedback based on the answer the student provides.

For example, say the question involves completing a math equation. There may be four choices, but only one is correct. If the student chooses the correct answer, you may just want to say “Great job!” and move on. If the student chooses the wrong answer however, you could show an explanation (or a video) of how to solve the problem as opposed to just saying it is wrong. Sound cool? Here’s how to do it:

  1. Create a new Google Form. Do this by visiting your Google Drive account and choosing New – Google Forms


    Create new form screenshot

  2. Name your form and create your first question. To give customised feedback you will need to choose the multiple choice or true/false question type.
    Name your form screenshot

  3. Create a new page. Do this by clicking “Add Item” and choose page break. Give your new page a name and repeat as many times as necessary. You will be directing users to the appropriate page based off of their response (i.e. a “correct” page and an “incorrect” page, or you could even go as far as creating a specific page for each response).


    Create new form page screenshot

  4. Populate the new page with support material. This may include text, links to external resources, or even embed a YouTube video.
  5. Set answers to take users to the appropriate page. Do this by going back to the question and checking the box labelled “Go to page based on answer”. Then simply choose the page each answer should take students to.


    Go to text based on answer screenshot

That’s it! You can then replicate this for as many questions as needed.

I’ve created a basic form here that shows this in action with Spanish colours. Notice that if you get the answer correct you receive positive reinforcement and can submit your answer, but if you get it wrong you can watch a support video then try again. This is just one additional way to support students when they are completing work outside of the classroom.

What are some other ways can you think of to use customised feedback with Google Forms? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

Jason Carroll

Jason first learned of Assistive Technology while working on his undergraduate degree where much of his spare time was spent assisting a regional education centre with basic technology needs. Amazed at how this technology could benefit so many students (particularly those he grew up with) he was hooked and immediately became an expert at the centre. After receiving his Masters, Jason returned to the coop to serve as a full time Assistive Technology Consultant serving over 200 schools in the central Kentucky Region. Since this time, Jason has trained thousands on Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning concepts throughout the United States and beyond. His focus is on integrating research based practices into the work he does and helping others ensure that what they are doing works. He specialises in assisting people to bridge the gap between operation of technology and actual implementation. Jason is a published author, has taught Instructional Technology and Universal Design for Learning at the University level, and spends a significant amount of time on e-Learning and blended learning initiatives. He is a graduate of the Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP) from California State University at Northridge and holds a Masters in Business Administration. Currently Jason serves as Product Marketing Manager for North America at Texthelp Inc. where he oversees new product launches and speaks nationally on a variety of Assistive Technology topics.