FTT - Google Slides and Canva

Google Slides AND Canva

Two Great Tools That Go Great Together 

@LisaBerghoff/@MrKimDHS

There used to be these commercials for Reese's peanut butter cups where someone would be walking down the street eating a chocolate bar and someone else would be walking towards them holding a jar of peanut butter. Inevitably, they would crash into each other, get upset, then they would realize that the chocolate/peanut butter combo is actually delicious and then the Reeses logo would appear. I don't know why but whenever I see two things that work well together it makes me think of that commercial. Also, Halloween candy is prominent in the stores right now so that probably has something to do with it.

Anyway, here are two other things that go great together! Google Slides and Canva seem to be competing but actually, if you know what you're doing you can reap the benefits of both. Here is what you need to know.

Why not just use Canva? Why not continue to just use Google slides?

These are valid questions. Canva's presentations are great and you can certainly present right in Canva. This is a valid option for sure. However, Google slides presentations have some features that Canva does not, and vice versa. I'm here to help you decide what tool is the right one for your particular needs and also to show you how they can work together. 

New-ish features in Google slides.

You may have noticed that when you are presenting with slides you have some options. One in particular was just rolled out. The new feature is that there is now a pen tool that you can use so you can underline, circle, or draw directly onto your slides while you are presenting. There is also a laser pointer as well as the ability to auto-generate closed captions while you are speaking. These tools can be really helpful when you are working with students who struggle to pay attention, have limited hearing, or could use some extra visuals. I really appreciate that you can adjust where the captions appear and also the size of the font. Remember that in Google slides you also have the Q&A feature that allows students to ask questions without interrupting the presentation, as well as the ability to present using a remote or another device like your phone. 

Here is what the menu of options looks like:

Features You Might Not Know About In Canva:

When you are presenting with Canva, there are some Magic Shortcuts that are super
fun and can help students attend, but they are not accessibility tools. Want to blur the screen before a big reveal? Shoot confetti to celebrate a great accomplishment? How about a mic drop? These are all available in Canva's Magic Shortcuts. Canva presentations also has a built-in timer and you can select the music that it makes while it counts down and then comes to an end. You can also present using another device by scanning the qr code when you click "share remote control".

Here are the menus in Canva:

How Do I Put These Together?

You can create in Canva, save to your Google Drive, and then open in Google Slides. You can also start in Google Slides and bring your presentation into Canva. I have short videos showing both ways. Feel free to share these with your students. I find myself most often creating in Canva and then presenting in Google Slides.

Starting in Canva:

1. Create your presentation.

2. Click the share button and choose Google Drive then choose a folder. I have one that I call Canva Presentations.

3. Make sure the file type is PPTX and make sure all pages have been selected.

4. Click save.

It is now saved in your Google Drive! Now all you need to do is go to your drive and right-click and choose "open with" Google Slides.

Starting in Google Slides:

1. Create your Google Slides presentation and make sure to name it.

2. Go to Canva and click "Projects" then click "Add New".

3. Choose "Import From App" and choose Google Drive.

4. Locate your slides presentation file. It will say it's a document, that's ok.

5. Click "Upload" and you will see it listed under "Designs".

I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing more about how you and your students are using both Canva and Google Slides together! Want to know more? Feel free to reach out with your questions, ideas, and thoughts.