With the current global shift towards virtual learning, educators around the globe are seeking new, innovative ways to engage their students remotely. A virtual classroom built in Google Slides could be the answer. Not only does it foster a sense of familiarity to the traditional classroom environment, but it also provides a fun and interactive platform to facilitate learning. Today, we’ll explore how to create a virtual classroom using Google Slides.
Step 1: Open Google Slides
The first step is to access Google Slides. Navigate to the Google Slides homepage at https://slides.google.com and sign in with your Google account. If you don’t have one, you will need to create one.
Step 2: Create a New Presentation
Click on the ‘+ New Presentation’ button to start a fresh slide deck that will serve as your virtual classroom.
Step 3: Design Your Classroom
This is where the magic happens. The blank slide before you is a canvas where you can design your virtual classroom. How you choose to set it up is entirely up to you. It can be as simple or as detailed as you prefer.
For instance, you might want to add tables, chairs, a whiteboard or even a bookshelf. To do this, click on the ‘Insert’ tab and then ‘Image’. From here, you can upload images or search the web for the items you want to include in your classroom. To resize or move your items, just select them and drag to your preferred location.
Step 4: Linking Classroom Elements to Resources
One of the biggest charms of a virtual classroom in Google Slides is the ability to link elements in your room to different resources. This could be a link to a book, video, document, or even another slide. To do this, select the item you want to link, click on the ‘Insert’ tab, and then ‘Link’. A box will appear where you can paste the URL of the resource you want to link to.
Step 5: Share Your Classroom
Once you are happy with your classroom design, it’s time to share it with your students. Click the ‘Share’ button in the top right corner, and add the email addresses of your students or create a shareable link. Make sure you adjust the settings to ‘View Only’ to prevent students from editing the classroom.
Wrapping Up
And voila! You have created a virtual classroom in Google Slides! This interactive tool is sure to engage your students and facilitate fun, interactive learning. Remember, as with any tool, the effectiveness of your virtual classroom depends on how you use it. So, go ahead and start planning exciting learning activities in your new space!
