Advantages, Disadvantages and Limitations of Using Google Forms for Online Tests (A Case Study of a Russian University)

IT tools and services in the 21st century penetrated all spheres of human life, educational training being no exception. For a decade Google Docs app has been gaining popularity among academicians, instructors for collaborative work due to its accessibility, compatibility, functionality. In this paper the authors embarked on discovering the functionality of the Google Suite tools, namely Google Forms, for online tests both in class and outside it. In order to present a rational way of assessing students' knowledge using the wonder of Google Forms we experimented with syntax and managed to create a number of potentially useful patterns. In this paper we wish to share our experience and current result of experimenting the innovation with a number of groups of English as a foreign language (EFL) students in Ural Federal university in Russia. To this end an algorithm of creating a rational manageable effective formative test is presented. The analysis of two focus groups surveys let us identify advantages such as multiple use, automatic assessment and self-assessment, less paper-and-pencil materials, option to shuffle the questions, easy sharing, etc. Along with pros there are cons experienced by both teachers and students such as the dependence of successful score on device and internet/Wi-Fi stability. The limitations of Google Forms such as case and additional spaces sensitivity can be eliminated only in collaboration with affiliated company programmers. The paper outlines recommendations on how to get round these limitations to make an online Google test helpful and formative.