3 Tricks in Google Slides to Try

3 tips for Google Slides

Here are 3 tips for Google Slides you may not know.

1. Delete Layouts

By default, there are 11 different layouts for students to choose from.
11 layouts

When doing a collaborative activity you probably only need one or two templates for students to use.

Use the “View” menu and choose “Master.”
View Master

Delete the 10 extra layouts by selecting them and pressing the delete key. You can then edit the remaining layout to represent the template you want students to utilize.
Delete layout slides

2. Insert Clipart

Using the “Insert” menu, choose “Image.”
Insert Image

The last image option is to “Search.” This will do a Google Image search for images to insert into the presentation. After searching for something, change the filter from “All types” to “Clipart.”
Clip Art

3. Change Background

Click on “Background” in the toolbar to upload a background image. This image is locked into the background, and thus can not be accidentally edited by students. Create a graphic organizer for the background to allow students to demonstrate their learning by inserting text boxes, shapes and pictures onto the slides in the correct spots.
Choose Image

19 thoughts on “3 Tricks in Google Slides to Try”

  1. Alice, When you have students all collaborate on one slide show and each add a slide – Do you have the entire class do this all at once? Or is this used for online courses where students would be adding slides at different times?

Leave a Comment

© 2026 All Rights Reserved.

💥 FREE OTIS WORKSHOP

Join Alice Keeler, Thursday April 15th or register to gain access to the recording.
Create a free OTIS account.

Join Alice Keeler for this session for teaching with AI

Unlock a smarter way to manage your curriculum by turning your own teaching materials into a personalized AI assistant with NotebookLM. This session explores how to transform static documents into interactive study guides and audio overviews that are tailored strictly to your specific content. You will discover how this versatile note-taking tool can streamline your prep time and help you organize complex resources with ease. Join us to see how NotebookLM can act as a powerful, free partner in your K-12 classroom.

Exit this pop up by pressing escape or clicking anywhere off the pop up.