5 Creative Ways to Use Google Slides Beyond Presentations

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 Google Slides is best known as a simple, collaborative tool for creating presentations. However, its flexibility extends well beyond the typical slideshow. Educators can leverage Google Slides for a variety of imaginative, interactive classroom activities—from digital storytelling to interactive escape rooms. Below are five creative ways to get started!

1. Student Portfolios & Showcases

Instead of traditional binders or large folders, students can curate their work digitally with Google Slides.

  • How It Works:
    • Assign each student their own Google Slides file.
    • They can add new slides for each project, lab, or report they complete.
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Students get a platform to visually showcase progress throughout the year.
    • Sharing portfolios with peers or parents is as simple as sending a link.

2. Create Interactive Timelines

Timelines don’t have to be static lists of events. Make them interactive and visually appealing with Google Slides.

  • How It Works:
    • Dedicate each slide to a different time period or event.
    • Include images, videos, or links that help bring the story to life.
  • Why It’s Great:
    • It’s easy to embed multimedia elements, turning a simple timeline into an engaging mini-website.
    • Students can collaborate, making it ideal for group history or literature projects.

3. Digital Escape Rooms

Turn your classroom into an adventure zone by creating a series of “puzzles” or “rooms” in Slides.

  • How It Works:
    • Each slide acts as a new puzzle or clue.
    • Use hyperlinks to connect slides in a branching path—students must “unlock” each slide by solving clues.
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Encourages critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork.
    • Students love the gamified approach to learning, whether it’s math problems, history facts, or vocabulary exercises.

4. Collaborative Research Projects

Google Slides can be a central hub for group research projects, letting students add findings, pictures, and references all in one place.

  • How It Works:
    • Assign a topic to each small group.
    • Each group creates or is assigned a shared Slides deck to add images, data, summaries, or citations.
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Real-time collaboration keeps everyone updated on each other’s contributions.
    • Teachers can monitor progress, provide feedback, and even grade within the same file.

5. Animated Storytelling

Students can unleash their creativity by making short animations or comics directly in Google Slides.

  • How It Works:
    • Use multiple slides to present frames of a story.
    • Encourage students to use shapes, characters, and transitions to create movement or dialogue scenes.
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Perfect for narrative assignments where visuals enhance the storyline.
    • Teaches students the basics of layout design and visual storytelling—skills that translate to digital literacy.

Tips for Getting Started

  • Leverage Collaboration: Share the Slides file with students or co-teachers. Real-time editing features make it easy to work together.
  • Utilize Comments: Provide quick feedback by commenting directly on slides. Students can reply and make changes instantly.
  • Hyperlink Strategically: Link to external resources or other slides to create a smooth flow and keep information structured.

Final Thoughts

Google Slides is a powerful, multifaceted tool that goes far beyond presenting lecture notes. From interactive puzzles to visual portfolios, you can transform your classroom activities, spark creativity, and foster collaboration. Give these five ideas a try and watch your students become more engaged, excited, and eager to learn.

Stay tuned for more creative tech tips to enhance teaching and learning!

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