Module 3 Assignments
Assignment 3.1: Tell Us About Yourself
I am a high school Mathematics teacher.
Assignment 3.2: Marketplace Add-Ons
Figure 1 – Screenshot evidence of use of “Autocrat” add-on
I decided to research and learn how to use the “Autocrat” add-on in Google Workspace. I
chose this add-on because it claimed to be able to take data in a sheet and add them to
custom-made documents (pdfs or google sheets). This functionality would be extremely
useful for creating test makeup forms which are required at our school when a student
wants to retake a test in the testing center. Using Autocrat would streamline this process and
save time compared to filling out the forms manually.
My experience learning to use the add-on was strenuous. I was met with several technical
issues before achieving what I wanted. At first, the merge tags were not pulling from the
sheet. This was the most time-consuming bug to fix – I realized after reading through the
Autocrat Help Center and by watching a short YouTube video that I was missing a key step
in the beginning of the process that was causing the error later. Once I fixed the error the
program worked perfectly.
I chose to explore the “Autocrat” add-on in Google Workspace because it can merge data
from a sheet into custom templates such as PDFs or Google Docs. This feature would be
especially valuable for generating the test makeup forms required when students request a
retake in our school’s testing center. I was able to create twenty of these PDFs instantly, a
process that would normally take one to two minutes per form. Instead of creating each form
by hand, Autocrat allows the process to be automated, saving time and reducing errors.
Ultimately, this add-on helps by making a routine administrative task faster, more consistent,
and far less tedious.
Assignment 3.3: Share the Love for Forms and Sheets
I was thrilled with the results I got in assignment 3.2, so I decided to create a one-pager for
getting started with Autocrat. Since all of our teachers are required to fill out individual forms
for students to retake tests, I can imagine many teachers would be interested in this
document. The guide is designed to be short, practical, and easy to follow so even teachers
who are new to Google Sheets can use it successfully. By providing step-by-step
instructions and a clear example, I hope to save my colleagues valuable time that they
would normally spend on repetitive paperwork. My goal is to share a tool that reduces
frustration and streamlines a process that most every teacher in our building deals with on a
regular basis.
Assignment 3.4: Applied Digital Skills
I explored several lessons on Google Sheets and discovered many useful features. I learned
how to apply filters and filter views to organize data more efficiently. I also practiced adding
tables and charts, using functions like COUNT and SUM, and summarizing information in a
clear way. In a separate lesson, I focused on conditional formatting, adding links, images,
and drawings, and improving overall sheet organization. These lessons gave me a much
stronger understanding of how to manipulate and present data effectively.
It was difficult to find a way to include these lessons for my students in a meaningful and
engaging way. One idea I had was to design a project-based assessment in which students
analyze data for a fictional business. I can see them using spreadsheets to practice
analyzing and calculating linear or quadratic relationships, applying the functions and
formulas they’ve learned. They could also create tables and charts to visualize the data,
making it easier to interpret trends and patterns. Another part of the project could involve
summarizing the data in clear, organized ways, reinforcing the skills from the lessons. By
connecting the spreadsheet skills to a real-world scenario, students would have the
opportunity to see the practical value of what they’re learning while deepening their
understanding of data analysis.
Assignment 3.5: Reflect on Your Growth and Impact
The two goals I created in assignment 1.2 included
1) Create a Google Sheet linked to a Google Form that can be manipulated using
functions and;
2) Using a Google Sheet or form to automatically send more positive emails home,
ideally automatically
I believe I’ve directly and indirectly achieved both of these goals. For goal 1, I spent a
majority of this course analyzing, manipulating, and editing Google Sheets. By far the most
useful tool I learned to use will be the Autocrat add-on. With this tool, I learned how to take
student data input from a google form, use this data to automatically fill out a google doc
template I created using merge tags, and then export separate PDF documents for each
student submission.
While I didn’t directly create a document related to communication, I have the tools now
to do this on my own. I have plans to create a google form that I can use personally to
automatically send emails home to multiple student households at once. Here’s how I’d do
it: I would create a form with questions for “Subject Line”, “Message”, and a student
dropdown link. I would write a message (e.g. “Way to go! Your student earned an A or a B on
our Unit 3 summative assessment! I’m proud of them; please encourage them to keep up the
good work!”. Then, upon submission, I could use mail merge to automatically send emails to
each of the student’s parents that I selected in the dropdown list.
To be honest, I was slightly worried at the beginning of this course that I wasn’t
going to learn anything new, as I felt I was already somewhat skilled with Google Forms
and Sheets. I could not have been more wrong; in fact, I learned a tremendous amount. I
even spent an entire Saturday morning figuring out how to create an escape room for my
students using Google Forms, experimenting with logic paths and interactive elements. This
assignment is something I will definitely use in the next two weeks, as I carefully planned
the questions to connect directly to our upcoming topic. It has been a long time since a
professional development class I took actually produced content or assignments that I
could immediately implement in my classroom. Overall, this course has reinvigorated my
teaching toolkit and given me practical strategies that make learning more engaging for my
students.
The one-pager starter document I created for the Autocrat add-on will definitely be
valuable to my teacher colleagues, as it provides clear, step-by-step instructions for a tool
that can save them significant time. My learning in this course not only benefits me
personally, but also has the potential to benefit the entire teaching staff at my high school.
By sharing this resource, I can help other teachers streamline repetitive tasks like creating
individualized student forms, allowing them to focus more on instruction and student
engagement. I also hope it encourages colleagues to explore other Google Workspace tools
and add-ons that can improve efficiency in their classrooms. This project demonstrates how
professional development can extend beyond personal growth and have a positive impact
on the broader school community. I also plan to run a PD session at my school related to
creating google form escape rooms – as this could be useful to any content area, not just
Mathematics.
What I’ve learned in this course is already starting to change the way I approach my
classroom and my role as a teacher. Tools like Google Sheets, Forms, and the Autocrat add-
on help me handle repetitive tasks much faster, which means I can spend more time
focusing on students and the lessons themselves. I’m also excited to try project-based
activities, like data analysis for a fictional business or interactive escape rooms, because
they make learning more hands-on and fun for students. These activities get students
thinking critically and solving problems, instead of just passively completing worksheets.
Being able to organize and analyze data more efficiently also helps me notice which
students might need extra support, so I can respond faster. Overall, these skills will help me
create a classroom that’s more engaging, more responsive, and ultimately more enjoyable
for both my students and me.