Google Slides Guide

(v. 9/24/20)

This guide is intended to provide steps on how to implement the Google Slides tool for enhancing

synchronous lectures or face-to-face course presentations. The addition of this tool will enhance

synchronous instruction by including student engagement and active learning.

NOTE:

If you do not already have a Google account you will need to set one up as the instructor to access

Google Drive where Google Slides and other Google products (Google Docs, Forms, etc.) are located.

The cloud-based Google Drive application suite is similar to Microsoft products (Word, PPT, etc.) and can

be easily converted.

Creating a Google Slide presentation

Open Google Chrome browser and add a new tab

Click on the Google Apps grid (upper right corner)

Select Drive

Click + New

Select Google Slides > Blank or Template

Untitled presentation will open (click on this title and Rename)

At this point much of the Google Slides application is similar to MS PowerPoint with similar functions and

toolbar options so we will focus on a prepared Google Slides presentation to build and use for a

synchronous class session.

Building a Google Slides synchronous presentation for student engagement

Build slides for the synchronous session to engage students in active learning and collaboration.

Create slides to provide space for students to collaborate as a whole group. (Tailor to your discipline

and course content – problem solving, comparisons, identification, matching, or anything you create.)

Or smaller groups

Include slides and captions to provide instructions and directions while students are in these shared

slides. You may need to provide these instructions prior to your first synchronous engagement session.

In addition to sharing slides to allow for collaboration or to engage students, content slides can be built

in Google Slides or imported (copy/pasted) from MS PowerPoint presentations.

Provide a Virtual Parking Lot slide for students to post questions during the presentation to not

interrupt the instructor presentation or session activities. The instructor can answer during or at the

end of the presentation.

Important

As you add content to Google Slides all work is saved to the Google cloud and updated as any changes

are made. No need for saving. The final version after each session will be saved in Google Drive by the

name you gave the presentation.

Sharing the Google Slides Presentation

After completing your Google Slide presentation you are ready to invite students to “share” your

presentation.

Click the large orange Share button (upper right corner).

Click on the below Get link box.

In Get link select the right dropdown link to Editor. You can select copy link (or copy/paste) to post the

URL link in Blackboard, your Zoom and MS Teams calendar invites or an email. Click Done.

NOTE

Participants without Google accounts will not appear in shared Google Slides and can view only with no

toolbar.

Instructor can re-select Share at any time and change Get link settings to Viewer, Commenter or Editor.

Participants with accounts will see the change in an orange box on right marked View only, Comment

only or Edit associated with the link.

Participants will be sent an email with a link or a below

Confirmation in student email (click on invite and enter Google Slides presentation)

gcstemf@gmail.com has invited you to edit the following presentation:

Active Synchronous Instruction

Open in Slides

REMINDER

Participants without Google accounts will be able to view presentation but not be able to edit or

contribute to the slides. Participants can use the above links Sign In or Sign Up To Edit to access a

Google account or create a Google account.

Google Slides Presentation and Collaboration

Once students have received and clicked on the URL invite link they will enter your Google Slides

presentation directly (no Google sign in nor accessing Google Drive is necessary).

You will see their icon with their emoji or initial(s) above the toolbar based on their profile/email

address.

Each time they click on a slide their emoji, initials or name will show up in the presentation. (The lack of

anonymity may prevent unprofessional behavior and create a sense of personal accountability,

ownership or community.)

Reminder to share video conferencing participant disclosures especially if recording the sessions.

Students with accounts click Insert and select Text Box or click T icon on toolbar to add to slide

collaborations.

Click Insert and select Line to draw with lines, shapes or scribble tool.

Each participant will be identified with a different color.

Comments can be made during the slide presentation. Click Comment Box next to initials in the toolbar to add a comment on the slide. Add comments in the space provided.

Encourage student engagement and participation as a whole group, smaller groups or individually in the

shared Google Slides and audio visually during the video conferencing session. Participation grades can

be assigned for further student participation.

Provide Instructions and Ground Rules for Synchronous Sessions prior to the session and as an

informational slide in the Google Slide presentation.

Included again below:

Instructions and Ground Rules for Synchronous Sessions

• Open Teams or Zoom class session invite (minimize window & mute mic)

• Open Google Slides Instructor invite (expand window and join slides) - see initials • Click Insert and select Text Box (Line to draw) or click T icon on toolbar to add to slides, Click

Comment Box next to initials to add a comment on slide • Unmute mic and respond to instructor prompts or other students in discussions • Instructor may assign you to a group slide to collaborate and present to class • Type questions in Virtual Parking Lot slide (end) for instructor response during session

Mute Noise - Be Professional - Prepare - Engage - Collaborate - Have Fun!

Closing Comments

In closing, students will continue to have access to the final presentation product while the instructor

makes it available. Video conferencing recordings (Zoom or Teams) can capture the presentation and

collaboration process for student review.