Zoho Creator

• What is it? What does it do?

  Zoho Creator http://creator.zoho.com/is a free on-demand data management software to create online database applications easily and quickly. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop user interface to create customized web based database applications and share them with others. Zoho creator makes it possible and super easy to create your own online forms(i.e., surveys, inventories, data collection, etc.) and databases without having your own server. You can also easily share your database application with your friends, colleagues or parents by specifying their email addresses. You can invite them to collaborate while maintaining control of what information each individuals can see. You can also set privileges for your users to add, edit or simply view it.

• What are the infrastructure and technical requirements for this tool?

Zoho Creator only requires internet access and a mouse in working condition.

• How can you use it effectively in instruction?

Zoho Creator with its form-building capacities can be used to collected data from surveys, inventories, etc. Thus, it can display the collected data in a variety of forms(i.e, list view, spreadsheet, graph, charts, summary). Zoho Creator is an instructional tool that can help facilitate lessons aligned with the VSC as demonstrated by the following link: http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/mathematics/math_guidelines.html

• What can I do with Zoho Creator?

Zoho Creator can be used for personal or business database applications. In addition to instructional purposes, teachers can use Zoho Creator to conduct parent evaluations as seen in an evaluation created by Mr. Dojahn, classroom teacher. http://creator.zoho.com/sdojahn/evaluation/

Moreover, as a means of providing students with an opportunity to share feedback regarding instructional strategies or assessment tools, Zoho Creator can be utilized to collect student data.

http://creator.zoho.com/livepage.do?deploy=true&appname=your-opinions-on-the-ks3-test&sharedBy=dfjones&include=false

Some additional ways in which Zoho Creator could be used in the school setting might be:

-To document MSA, benchmarks, short cycle, and formative assessment data.

-To look at the trends in student attendance and tardiness.

-To document parent feedback on surveys conducted during American Education Week.

-To document teacher feedback regarding curriculum implementation, instructional strategies, or professional development.

-To track school funding in each expense account.

-To design a ticket for teachers to complete if they are having computer problems; consequently, the technology teacher would receive the email and an email would be forwarded to the teacher sharing the acknowledgment of the ticket.

Zoho Creator might also be used in the following ways:

-Create customized applications for your specific needs

-Import excel spreadsheets and convert them into collaborative database applications

-Access applications anywhere, anytime online

-Share applications easily within groups or with the general public and collaborate

-See the collected data in different formats – List, Chart, Spreadsheet, Calendar and as Summary View

-Comprehensive data drill-down capabilities- Search, Filter and Set Custom Criteria

-Embed Form and View in your website to make your website more dynamic

Additional uses for Zoho Creator:

http://creator.zoho.com/samples/

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=843c4100437816f6ce41

• What are other education applications for this tool?

Microsoft Excel and similar spreadsheets are good choices when your data is primarily numbers that requires only on- screen calculations. But if your data contains a lot of text, numbers and grows in complexity, then Zoho Creator might be the right choice. Educators can additionally use Zoho Creator for online registration for PD classes, collection of staff and student data, etc.

• What are the limitations and cautions related to use of this tool?

  The main concern with Zoho Creator is that there is not an easy way to get data back out of the system: although you can import existing spreadsheets, there does not appear to be any obvious way to export the contents of your Zoho Creator database to another format, or to get it on too your own computer. For data that you trust keeping it looks like a solid choice.

• What are the management considerations for this tool?

  The site is extremely easy to navigate. Nevertheless, during my research I called the toll free phone number to gain additional information. I was then told that due to the high volume of calls, I needed to email Zoho Creator support. I am still waiting for a response. Therefore, if questions arise, time may become a factor in proceeding with your task.

Additional Information:

Zoho Creator Facts:http://creator.zoho.com/faq.html#share_application