If you use Google Slides, you probably already know that you can insert videos into your Slides from YouTube, by URL, and Google Drive. But did you know that with an extension, you can add your own video to any slide? This could include your face, voice, student’s work, etc. Consider using this for explaining directions, doing an experiment, showcasing examples, and more.

Here are the steps to get started: 

1. Visit the Chrome web store and download the Record to Slides extension.

2. You will see a video camera icon appear in the top corner of Slides. Note: If you are currently in a Slides presentation when you add this, you may need to refresh Slides if it doesn’t appear right away. Click on it when you are ready to start your recording. read more

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When teaching online, you may want to use a handout that you would typically give each student as a hard-copy. Google Slides is known for creating compelling presentations, but it can also create interactive documents. By saving the image as a background to the slide master, it is more difficult for students to move or delete the image on the slide. You can easily share the digital worksheet/workbook in Google Classroom as “make a copy for each student.” Let’s get started!

 

  • First, save the handout as an IMAGE on your computer. If it is a PDF, you will need to take a SCREENSHOT of the file. By doing so, it will convert the PDF to an image file and save it to your desktop.

    • Mac: Press Shift + Command + 4, then click and drag to set your selection.
    • Chromebook: Ctrl + Shift + , then click and drag to set your selection.

    • Windows 10: Use the built-in Snipping Tool

    Open a =&2=& Google Slides presentation. =&3=& the file.


    Next, we will add the image to the background. From the =&4=& bar, click on =&5=&=&6=&


    From the EDIT MASTER screen, scroll down to the last layout. This layout is blank.



  • To add the slide layout that contains the image, click on the NEW SLIDE arrow from the toolbar. Select the slide.
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For those of us who did not grow up with digital cameras/photos, at some point in time, you may have wanted to remove someone from a photo. Perhaps, an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend or former BFF. It may have looked something like this:

And, if you are wise enough to recall that, you will know that pictures of relationships were often patched back together with this tool …

Today, Google Slides cropping tool will help you hide a portion of an image without destroying the hidden area. You will be able to access the area of the image you cropped and restore the entire picture. Here is an example:

Complete Image

Cropped Image

To crop an image, follow the below steps:

Select an image in Google Slides

Click on the Crop Image tool


Use the black tabs to click and drag the image so only what you want is appearing

You can reveal the hidden part(s) of a cropped image, by following the steps below:

Select an image in Google Slides

Click on the Crop Image tool

Use the black tabs to click and drag to bring back the area of the image that is hidden

Google Slides Masking feature transforms the image into a shape. Using the Masking feature is a great way to design your own slide to add emphasis and interest. Here is an example:

To apply the masking feature to an image, follow the below steps:

Select an image in Google Slides

Click on the Mask Image arrow which is next to the Crop Image tool

Select a shape

I hope you will enjoy experimenting with Google Slides image Cropping and Masking tools; unleash your creativity!

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