GOOGLE Slides in Speech Therapy!

Do you want to use GOOGLE ™ slides in speech therapy but you’re not sure where to start? No problem, we are all on a different learning continuum with technology! This post is intended for speech pathologists or teletherapists that aren’t sure how to use GOOGLE ™ slides in speech, are completely new to GOOGLE™ slides, or have purchased a Google ™ slides product but aren’t sure about the ins and outs of using it! The format of Google™ slides allows for teaching and practice of speech, language and social skills.

What are GOOGLE™ APPs?

Google™ slides is a Google™ app. What are Google apps? Google™ apps is short for “applications.” The most commonly used Google™ apps are Google™ Docs (word processor), Google™ Sheets (similar to Excel), Google™ Photos, Google™ Calendar, and– our topic for today– Google™ Slides. Google™ slides is similar to PowerPoint. You can think of each “page” in a print resource as being similar to a “slide” in GOOGLE™ slides resources.

Static Features of a GOOGLE™ Slide Product!

When you open a GOOGLE™ slides product to use in speech therapy, take note of the static features. What are static features? The headings, text, and perhaps some clipart or photographs to augment the text. These are known as the “static” elements that are part of the background of the product. Your students will interact with them by viewing, reading and discussing. Some TPT products for GOOGLE™ slides may only contain these static elements. If you want your students to interact with the product beyond “view, read, discuss,” you will want some dynamic features in your products. When purchasing a Google™ Slides product, look for the dynamic features (fillable text boxes, moveable images, clickable links and animations) if you are searching for maximum interactivity.

Dynamic Features of GOOGLE™ Slides!

Now, we are getting the the fun stuff, the features of Google™ slides products that give your the interactivity in your speech therapy sessions!

Google slides in speech therapy, teletherapy

Fillable Text Boxes! Students type in their responses into a text box.
Moveable Images: Students can move a shape or image from one part of the screen to another, or “drag and drop” an image. For example, there may be hints hidden under a box on the screen and the student can drag the box to view the hints. Or, pictures can be sorted into different categories by dragging and dropping them.
Clickable Links: there can be two types of clickable links in a GOOGLE ™ slides product. The first type allows the user to navigate from page to page within the GOOGLE ™ slides document, allowing for easier navigation within the document. The second type allows the user to navigate to external links outside of the document. For example, in my “Fill my bucket with compliments” packet, students click on links to view related youtube links and then return to the GOOGLE ™ slides product to answer questions about the link. Now, this is so much more convenient that having two windows open or using a split screen. Some Google slides products also may link to another google activity, a read-aloud or a pdf.
Animations: Any object or text on the screen can be animated, making it move out or in or fade in or out of the slide. I love animations because they help to maintain the attention of the viewer. Animations only work in the present mode, usually upon a click of your mouse or in a sequence.
Draw or Connect Lines: You can draw on the screen by going to insert-lines–scribble for fluiid lines or insert-line-line for straight lines.
Add Shapes and more! You can add a variety of items to a slide, including iimages, arrows, call-outs, shapes and the null symbol.
Laser pointer: When slides is in the present mode, you can access a laser pointer which is helpful to use when reading long text or bringing attention to something on the screen.

Do you learn better via video? Check out this video showing how interactive components work on Google slides!

Benefits of GOOGLE™ Slides!

Interactive components in a therapy activity help maintain engagement. We also know that our students gain a higher level of understanding when they can be active participants in their learning. Google™ slides allows for interactive learning! You can use Google™ slides in your brick and mortar SLP sessions, or, in your teletherapy sessions, as long as your teletherapy platform has the feature of screen sharing. If you want students to interact (type, draw, click, drag) with the product during teletherapy, you will also need the “remote control” feature on your platform.

Other Benefits?

If you buy a GOOGLE™ slides product on TPT, it will directly add it to your drive.
Also, Google™ slides does automatic saves.
Google Slides™ can double as a whiteboard during your speech therapy sessions. How? Just use “slide” and “new slide” or the plus symbol to insert a new slide. Then, you can use a blank slide to type, draw, add images, add shapes etc. This is helpful when you want to quickly elaborate upon a concept with your student without the added step of sharing the whiteboard on your platform.

Helpful TIPS: using GOOGLE™ slides in speech therapy!

teletherapy, Google apps, Google slides, speech therapy

Edit versus Present Modes. Knowing the difference between these modes can save you some headaches because there are things you can/can’t do in each mode. You can only type in text boxes and drag elements, in the edit mode. Animations will only work in present mode while links work in both edit and present modes.
To enjoy all the interactive elements of a GOOGLE™ slides product, you may need to go back and forth from edit to present modes.
When in present mode, you can click on the right or left side of the slide to move to previous or future slides. You can also navigate to prior or upcoming slides by using the page numbers in the lower left corner (when in present mode).
You can exit “present” mode by hitting your “escape” button on your computer.
Teach your students the “undo” button (under the edit tab) so they can easily delete changes or answers. You might find the “undo” button helpful to clear the screen between students.