The 8-Bit Instructor: Tips & Tricks for Google Slides (EP016)

EP029 Learning with Google (Updates on Google for Education) – The 8-Bit Instructor

In this week's episode, I go through all of the updates coming to Google Workspace for Education. Plus, news and updates from Microsoft, IXL, and Screencastify; and, of course, your question of the week.

1. EP029 Learning with Google (Updates on Google for Education) 48:31
2. EP028 Making the Most of Google Chrome 36:05
3. EP027 Creativity (Fact or Fiction?) 39:56
4. EP026 Visual Communication with Tony Vincent 43:13
5. EP025 Classroom Lesson from Super Mario Maker 29:54

Episode 16

This week is all about Google Slides! In this week’s episode, I share a lot of the tips and tricks I’ve learned about Google Slides. And as always, your 8-Bit Crew question of the week.

News & Updates

• No news this week

Treasure Chest:

• This whole episode is a treasure chest!

Boss Battle: Tips & Tricks for Google Slides

• Tips
  • Changing dimensions
    • File–>Page Setup
    • Use custom dimensions (inches or pixels)
  • Import Slides from another presentation
  • Make a copy of selected Slides
  • Insert multimedia
    • Images
    • Audio
      • Format options
        • Start play on click or automatically
        • loop audio
        • stop on slide change (or play throughout the entire presentation)
    • Video
      • Format Options
        • Mute audio
        • Play automatically, manually, or on click
  • Design
    • Use shapes instead of text boxes
      • add text directly to shapes
      • Use colors, gradients, and transparency to give it a pleasing look
    • Use recolor on images to change the color of the image
      • Format Options–>Recolor
    • Use Drop shadows and Border Color to add a nice aesthetic
      • Drop Shadow – Format Options–>Drop Shadow
      • Border Color – In the toolbar next to Fill Color
        • Adjust color, weight, and pattern
        • Use on shapes, images, and videos
    • Mask images
      • Use the pulldown menu attached to the Crop button
      • Select a shape to mask the image under
      • Adds some variety rather than just square corners
    • Use Arrange options to align, distribute, and center elements
  • Linking elements
    • Select an objects (shape, image, etc)
    • Ctrl (Cmd)+K to add a link
    • Add a URL or use the pulldown menu to link to a specific slide in the presentation
  • Add-ons
    • Unsplash – Royalty-free images
    • Noun Project – tons of icons
    • Pear Deck – make Slides interactive
    • Poll Everywhere – another interactive feedback add-on
    • Slip-in-Slide – Add slides to already copied Slide decks
  • Edit URL when sharing
    • After the final / in the URL, change the ending to change how the presentation can be viewed
      • /copy – force anyone to make a copy
      • /present – view in present mode (full screen)
      • /template/preview – shows a template preview before copying the document
      • /export/pdf – shares a downloadable PDF version of the presentation
• Things other than Presentations
  • Creating PDFs
  • Creating PNG or JPG files
  • Google Classroom Banners
  • Combine with Tall Tweets to create your own gifs
  • Use with Screencastify to create gifs

Crew Members’ Board (#8BitCrew)

QOTW: What are some of your favorite Slides tips? What do you like to use Slides for besides presentations?

Use the #8BitCrew on Twitter or post longer stories in the comments section here.

Get connected

• Twitter: @comicsocks & #8BitCrew
• Web site
• Youtube 
• Email: 8bit.instructor@gmail.com
• Support the show on Patreon.

Check out my Google Classroom Udemy course.

Credits

Music by David Fesliyan (https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/)

• Intro/Outro: “Retro Platforming”
• Boss Battle: “Boss Battle Rock”
• Crew Member’s Board: “Pirate Dance”
• Wrap up: “Game Over” by Patrick de Arteaga

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