Ann Radefeld, OFLA Technology Integration
French Teacher, Shaker Heights City School District

Google Slides is one of my go-to technology tools in my classroom.  Not only does it help me work efficiently, it allows for students to work creatively in my classroom.  Here are five tips to help you better use Google Slides in your classroom.

#1 Make a change to a pre-downloaded template

When I build my slides, I will usually use a template from slidesmania.com, slidecarnival.com, or slidesgo.com.  These sites offer a wide variety of amazing slide templates that are downloadable into Google Slides.  Most of the time, I like to make small changes on the slide.  My latest example was using a gameboard that I downloaded from SlidesMania.  This game board was exactly what I wanted, but I didn’t like the colors.  I needed to change them.  

I downloaded the template and opened it in Google Slides.  From there, I clicked on “View / Theme Builder.”  From here, I was able to modify the slide to better fit the needs of my instruction and my students.

#2 Change the default font for every slide

My favorite font is Ubuntu, and I consistently use it in all of my documents.  In order to change the default font for all of my slides, I go back into the theme builder (see tip #1).  To change the font for all slides, change the font on the first slide of the theme builder, called “Theme.”

#3 Change the page orientation

All of my student activities are generally created in Google Slides.  I prefer Google Slides because I have more flexibility to place images and fonts where I want on the document.  If I want to print out a worksheet for students, I will change the page orientation in Google Slides so that it prints on 8.5 x 11 and looks like a document.  To change the page orientation, go to File / Page Setup.  Click “Custom” and change the custom setting to 8.5 x 11 inches.

#4 Hide the filmstrip

Sometimes I have my students come to the SmartBoard to drag items around the screen.  Google Slides does not allow any dragging in “Present Mode.”  In order for my slide to show on the entire screen, without any distractions on either side, I hide the film strip.  To hide it, I click the arrow at the bottom.

#5 Linking to another slide

Linking to another slide can be used in so many ways!  One of my favorite ways is to create a “table of contents” for students when each student needs to work on a class set of slides.  My first slide will be all student names.  I then make sure I have a slide for each student. ie., Slide #2 is for John, Slide #3 for Jane, etc. On my first slide, I can link John’s name to his slide, or Jane’s name to her slide, and so on.  This is very convenient for my class of 25 students!  To create a link, I like to use the control shortcut (CTRL + K), or you can highlight the name, right click and select “Link.”  You will see that the first “link” suggestion is the appropriate slide.