Forms Smackdown: Google & Microsoft
Collecting data via online forms has never been easier. New web-based form tools have revolutionized how we gather and analyze data, making arcane database-backed web tools obsolete.
Note: This blog entry originally published by TCEA TechNotes blog. Read other awesome blog entries by the TCEA team online at www.tcea.org/blog
Even the next generation of database-backed web tools (e.g. Airtable, Obvibase, more solutions) find themselves catering to power users, rather than teachers and students. These descendants of venerable desktop database tools (e.g. Filemaker Pro, Microsoft Access, Alpha IV, Paradox) require some knowledge of databases and how they work. Google Forms and Microsoft Forms drop database complexity and make it easier for K-12 and adult learners to focus on the task rather than the method.
Practical Uses of Forms in K-12 Schools
The uses of forms to support teaching, learning and leading are legion. While you can see 81 Interesting Ways to Use Forms in the Classroom, here are a few of my favorite uses:
- Gather data about a particular phenomena or event and then use the data for analysis by staff and/or students.
- Conduct climate surveys to get insights into staff perspectives about the work place.
- Enable participants to craft self-assessments for appraisal or growth purposes.
- Get insights from staff/students/community into home technology and/or social media use.
- Employ forms for formative assessment activities, such as exit tickets.
- Set up a help desk system to track requests for support.
You can find even more uses online in these TCEA TechNotes articles on the use of forms. Remember, you can easily adapt the uses of forms across the tools available. Find the one that works best in your environment (e.g. Google or Office 365).
Are you a Texas educator using Office 365 in your District? Join the free, open to members and non-members TCEA Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Facebook group!
Feature Comparison
Both Microsoft and Google Forms have a wealth of features. Let’s explore some of those features, keeping in mind that they are rapidly changing.
Feature
Microsoft Forms
Google Forms
Web link
Account required
Free Office 365 account or School Office 365 account
Personal Google account^ or Google Suites for Education account
Multiple question types
Includes:
- Choice (multiple choice and checkboxes)
- Quiz
- Text (short and long answer)
- Rating (linear scale and star choice up to 10)
- Date
Includes:
- Choice (multiple choice and checkboxes)
- Multiple choice grid
- Quiz
- Text (short and long answer)
- Rating (linear scale and star choice up to 10)
- Date
- Time
- File upload^
Embed media such as videos/images
-
Images
-
YouTube
-
Images
-
YouTube
Add subtitle description
Yes
Yes^
Option to shuffle responses
Yes
Yes for any questions containing multiple responses^
Add question to quiz computation
Yes, add any question to a quiz
Yes, create a self-grading quiz
Add other option to available responses
Yes
Yes
Organize form elements in sections
No
Yes
Adjust theme to reflect color of choice or available background image
Yes
Yes, and includes option to insert one’s own image
Preview form using built-in desktop or mobile
Yes
No, but features responsive web design
Re-order questions at any time
Yes, with up/down arrows
Yes, drag-and-drop
Copy/duplicate question
Yes
Yes
Delete or trash question
Yes
Yes
Organize question into multiple pages
No
Yes, insert page breaks after questions
Branching responses
Yes, dependent upon response chosen
Yes, with the ability to send to a different page.
Share form online
Yes, includes the following:
- Link provided for copying
- Embed into OneNote Notebook Page
- Email link
- QR code download
- Web page embedding
Yes, includes the following:
- Link provided for copying
- Share form link via email
- Web page embedding
- Social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook) link sharing
Tracking form completion
Yes, tracking is possible if user is required to login to access the form
Yes, tracking is possible if user is required to login to access the form
Export results as a spreadsheet
Yes, results can be exported to Excel sheet (and other formats from there) and saved for further analysis or placed online
Yes, results can be exported in various formats
Form data at rest can be interacted with (Google Sheets tab is similar to an Excel Workbook sheet)
No, form data can be printed or deleted but not create a live workbook sheet that can be used, interacted with on another sheet
Yes, form data on one Google Sheets tab can be linked and interacted with another tab
Set start and end dates at specific times for when the form is open or closed for access
Yes, by date and time
No, form must be manually shut down to stop receiving responses. FormLimiter add-on can be enabled, however^.
When form is NOT accepting responses, create a custom message as to why
Yes
Yes^
Handling of individual or summary responses
Yes, options to form creator include viewing, deleting, printing individual and/or summary responses. In summary view, responses are aggregated and appear with graphs when appropriate.
Yes, options include viewing of individual and summary responses. Summary view includes aggregate results with graphs. Removing individual responses may require accessing the Google Sheet where Form responses are archived.
View average completion time for the form
Yes
No
^Special thanks to Eric Curts (@ericcurts; Ctrl-Alt-Achieve) for his feedback and corrections indicated with this symbol.
Update 01/26/2017: Microsoft Forms Enhancements
Microsoft Forms is in the process of rolling out enhancements, as reported by Brandon Cornwell (@CornwellEdTech; Tacoma, WA schools), that include the following NEW features not included in the chart above:
- Print summaries of MS Forms charts are now possible.
- Individual quizzes featuring student responses, scores and feedback are printable by the teacher.
- Extra credit points can now be alloted.
- Teachers can post scores, enabling students to to view their quiz score and obtain feedback.
- Students can be provided feedback regarding their form responses.
- Individual items can now be scored.
- Specific value formats (e.g. number) can now feature data entry restrictions.
- Math symbols and equation creator are available in quiz mode.
- Form creators are prompted as to whether Form or Quiz is planned.
Reflections
Microsoft Forms features have expanded (e.g. a recent addition is collaborative form editing, a feature Google Forms also enjoys) since a preview launch in the summer of 2016. In important ways, it has achieved parity with Google Forms. In other ways, it may have outpaced Google Forms. For educators in Office 365 districts, Microsoft Forms represents a fantastic tool. Given the prompt development of both products, the feature gap will not endure long!
Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure