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

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

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links to products or services. I may receive commissions or bonuses from your actions on such links.

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

EP042 Reflections on a Crazy Year – The Educator's Quest