Blog Post #1

     This blog entry is about a tool in Dr. Wang's PPT slide 1. The tool I have chosen to write about is Google Slides, which is a web-based presentation tool made by Google that I plan to use in my future classroom as an educator.

What is Google Slides?

    Google Slides is an online presentation app by Google that teachers can use to create lessons, activities, and class presentations simply and flexibly. As a future teacher, it’s helpful because you can design slides with pictures, videos, and short text to explain ideas clearly and keep students engaged. It also makes collaboration easy, whether you’re planning lessons with other teachers or having students work together on projects. Since everything saves automatically and can be opened on any device, it’s easy to stay organized and prepared. 

    https://workspace.google.com/products/slides/  

Ease of Use: 

    One of the biggest advantages of Google Slides is its ease of use. The layout is simple and easy to understand, even for beginners, so teachers can start creating presentations without a steep learning curve. I have personally used google slides since middle school and have had no problems while using it. Tools for adding text, images, videos, and links are clearly labeled, making lesson design quick and stress-free. Because it runs in a web browser and saves work automatically, teachers don’t have to worry about downloads or losing progress. This simplicity allows future teachers to focus more on teaching and engaging students rather than struggling with technology.

Here is a video explaining how to use Google Slides: 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A1-71UHBpc 

Versatility: 

    Another strength of Google Slides is its versatility in the classroom. It can be used for everything from daily lesson presentations and visual explanations to student projects, group work, and review activities. Teachers can adapt slides for different subjects, grade levels, and learning styles by combining text, images, videos, and interactive links. Google Slides also works well for in-person, remote, or hybrid learning, making it a flexible tool in many teaching situations. 

Overall Likelihood of Using It: 

    Overall, the likelihood of using Google Slides as a future teacher in my classroom is very high because of how practical and reliable it is. Its ease of use and flexibility make it a natural choice for everyday teaching, from introducing lessons to supporting student projects and collaboration. Since it works smoothly with other Google tools and is accessible on almost any device, it fits well into modern classrooms and school systems. For a future teacher, Google Slides is likely to become a go-to tool for me.

How Google Slides Connects to EDUC 462:

TLC Framework (Teaching–Learning–Content)

    Google Slides supports the balance between content, teaching strategies, and student learning. This is something we were focused on at the beginning of the quarter. Teachers can organize content clearly using visuals, headings, and sequences that make information easier to understand. From a teaching perspective, Slides allows you to plan lessons, guide discussions, and structure activities. On the learning side, students can actively engage with the material through collaborative slides, discussions, and presentations rather than just passively listening.

Learning Theories

    Google Slides connects well to learning theories such as cognitivism, constructivism, and connectivism. From a cognitivist perspective, it helps students process and remember information by presenting content in clear, organized chunks with visuals and step-by-step explanations. Through a constructivist lens, Google Slides encourages active learning by allowing students to create presentations, work collaboratively, and explain ideas in their own words. From a connectivism viewpoint, it supports learning through digital connections by enabling real-time collaboration, sharing online resources, and accessing shared knowledge across devices, reflecting how learning happens in today’s connected world.

    At the beginning of the quarter we also did an assignment on our Life Report, in which I used Google Slides to produce it. Here is a sample of it: