Google

Google Slides Challenge

by Katherine Ramsey

• What did you create, and why? 

         I created a Google Slideshow to introduce students to my classroom in the fall. It will provide students with very basic information about the expectations in my class. Most of the lesson is me talking, the slideshow has interesting things to look at but most of the information comes from me and whole class discussions.

• What went well for you?

         It was easy to find templates online. It was difficult to choose just one. It was pretty easy to insert a video from YouTube, pictures, and text. I found it fairly easy to figure out how to move things, copy and paste, and change fonts and colors.

• What was challenging?

        The biggest two challenges were time and lack of knowledge. I found that time slipped away as I was browsing for a theme to use. I also spent a lot of time looking for just the right videos to add into the slide show. I spent a good bit of time tweaking the way things looked. My lack of knowledge frustrated me a few times as I really wanted to create a specific thing (words in the shape of a heart) but couldn't figure out how to do that through word art. I finally decided that it must not be possible.

• What did you enjoy? 

         I enjoyed learning how to set up an engaging slideshow for students. I am excited to use the collaborative element and have students create a slide in a class slideshow to prove their knowledge at some point next year.

• What ideas do you have for using this tool with your students, grade level, staff or to communicate with families? 

         I will use Google Slides a few different times during the year. I'm sure once I get more familiar and comfortable with it, things will come together much easier and faster than it did today. I will use the collaborative element and have students create a slide in a class slideshow to prove their knowledge at some point next year. I don't see a way to use this to communicate with families.