Using Slides "Right"

We all know that we shouldn't put a lot of text on slideshow slides and the last thing we want to do is watch someone read their slides to us during a lesson or presentation. However, many people don't know just how flexible Google Slides are and how to "hack" the use of them to make presenting information more pleasing to an audience.

Recently, I went to the IETA conference in Boise, ID, the annual conference for the Idaho Educational Technology Association (IETA). While there, I attended a session by the illustrious Sarah Windisch (@slwindisch on twitter) about using Google Slides. While I have always tried to keep my slides more focused on images than text, I learned some new hacks from her and other presenters at the conference.

Here are my top 3 additions to slide decks that we should all try at least once:

Use topical images that draw interest

Your slideshow should support what you are talking about, not be the centerpiece. Use images that relate to what you are talking about, will interest your audience, and maybe even get them asking questions in their heads. This draws their attention to what you are going to say without drawing them away from what you are saying (which is what text will do - they want to start reading it and will stop paying attention to you). 

Here is a great example from my session with @slwindisch at the conference. 

Use GIFs to emphasize or draw attention to ideas

Another good idea from that session was using GIFs. They can be fun and engaging when used outside of presentations, but when you use them in a presentation, they can draw attention to some of your most important ideas. Just like in the section above, they will engage your audience and/or help refocus them. They can also provide a little humor and/or a little bit of a mind break, especially if your topic is serious or your session is long.

Adjust the slide size

Slides come in a default size of 10 x 5.625 (widescreen slides), but did you know you can make custom sizes for any project type? 

Make it 8 1/2" x 11" for a printable flyer (a perfect replacement for those of you that really liked using Publisher for flyers):

Make it longer (10" x 30") to create an infographic:

I found these free templates (link will make a copy) from HubSpot to use with Google Slides.

To do this, all you have to do is go to the File menu option, select Page Setup, and adjust the dimensions to fit your needs (use custom to make bigger or oddball sizes - like the ideas above). 

BIG HINT: If you are using iPads and Google Classroom, you will need to create a template with the slides pre-sized the way you want to and assign them to students, as there is no way to adjust slide sizes on the iOS app.

I always find it invigorating to find new ways to spice up and/or re-implement the design ideas that I know are good practice. I hope these help you to spice up your presentations or realize the flexibility that we are afforded in the G Suite apps that we may not know about.