Google Slides is a favorite teaching tool for many teachers, both in person and online. With a large selection of free features and options, this powerhouse allows teachers to create powerful, interactive presentations. But many slide decks fall flat, boring readers or, worse, frustrating and distracting them. Learn how to design clean, interactive Google Slides that supports deep-level learning with these simple tips.
1. Cut through the clutter to focus the reader’s thinking
Problem: Slides often try to do too much—they’re text-heavy and overcrowded with competing design elements like fonts, colors, and clip art. Slides are not intended to give students all the information they need, especially if you are using them to support a lecture or presentation.
Development: Think of a slide deck like an outline, highlighting important information. A clean design means your students spend less time reading and more time listening and thinking about visual content.
- Stick to one main idea or question for each slide.
- Switch the paragraphs and complete the sentences with key words or phrases.
- Use visuals that support learning instead of adding decoration.
- Eliminate elements that do not support your learning goals.
- Use a consistent font/color scheme throughout your site.
Try this:
- Take an existing heavy text slide and cut at least half of the text. Turn the remainder into a bulleted list of key words or phrases.
- Replace the block of text with a supporting visual such as a picture, diagram, chart, or video.
- Use our free Google Slides theme or templates for a cohesive look.
2. Turn slides into effective learning sessions
Problem: Many slide decks encourage passive viewing—children simply sit, listen, and watch instead of actively engaging in learning. One-way presentations of even the most interesting content tend to be boring, making readers more likely to tune out.
Development: Add slides that encourage active participation from students—get them thinking, writing, speaking, evaluating, and predicting.
- Include instructions for reflection and discussion.
- Add questions that require students to answer in writing or aloud.
- Create slides that ask students to predict what will come next.
- Build on formative assessment throughout.
Try this:
- Replace one explanation slide with a question or prompt that invites students to predict the information instead of waiting to hear it silently.
- Add a comprehension test slide after each major theme or concept (Find 25 unique formative test ideas here).
- Insert a discussion question or written answer after the information block.
3. Shift the work from you to your students
Problem: If Google Slides is a teacher-provided tool, they are missing an opportunity to engage students and give them ownership of learning. Viewing slides is a passive activity that may not promote critical thinking and understanding.
Development: Instead of providing ready-made presentations, turn the slides into a workspace where students demonstrate learning.
- Invite students to contribute slides to create a classroom environment.
- Ask students to create interactive slide decks to teach others what they have learned.
- Use slides as response spaces, not just a presentation tool.
Try this:
- Give each student a section of text to read and summarize on a Google Slide. Combine the slides to make an information deck for the whole class.
- Use slides as exit tickets: At the end of the lesson, ask each student to make a slide that shows something they know now that they didn’t know before. Use those slides as a review before taking on the next day. (Find more exit ticket ideas here.)
- Have students create visuals that help them better understand or explain a topic or concept, then add these to your existing slide deck.
4. They design slides that students can use without you
Problem: Most slide decks depend on the teacher to explain them, which means they can’t be used outside of the classroom. They leave out important resources, detailed instructions, or examples. Readers who view these decks independently (for cosmetic work, reviews, etc.) are not getting the full picture.
Development: Include more clarity of instructions on your slides. This may seem to contradict the recommendation of “less content” overall, but the two are not mutually exclusive. Less content doesn’t mean less clarity. Additional text is OK if it’s helpful—just make sure to keep it as clear and simple as possible.
- Use a consistent structure so students know where to look for important information.
- Write clear, simple task directions on your slides rather than simply explaining them verbally.
- Break complex tasks into smaller steps or use a scaffolded approach over multiple slides.
- Include models, examples, and other visuals that clarify or expand on the concept.
- Anticipate confusion or questions and answer them in the slide deck.
Try this:
- Take one instructional slide, and take yourself out of the equation. Will students know what to do if you are not there to explain?
- Identify the slide or set of slides that often leave students with the most questions. Add information or observations to help answer those questions if you are not there to answer them.
- Embed a video that explains a complex concept in more detail (this could be your video sharing information like you would in class).
Problem: It takes a lot of time and effort to create effective slide decks. Simplifying the text, writing guidelines, finding good visuals, building by dividing or communicating … these take up valuable time that busy teachers don’t always have.
Development: Use pre-built decks and AI tools to save time and effort. Find or buy an editable slide deck for your topic or topic that you can change or customize as needed. If you’re just starting out, use a template or theme so you can speed up the general design process.
AI tools can be very helpful when building Google Slides. Use them for:
- Produce a first draft of the slides that you can adjust for the finished content.
- Divide your text or lecture notes into slide frames.
- Split text quickly and easily.
- Create questions to check understanding.
- Find photos or videos to embed in your slides (always give credit where needed).
- Ask for suggestions or ideas to improve an existing slide deck.
Try this:
- Have an AI tool to review one of your lesson plans and turn it into a basic slide deck framework that you can build on and expand upon.
- Take a heavy slider and use an AI tool to simplify it into the most beautiful images that matter.
- Ask the AI tool for suggestions to turn a slide deck into a conversation that encourages deep thinking.
Bonus Tip: Activate Google Slides
Don’t just stop at presentations! With drag-and-drop elements or editable text blocks, you can turn Google Slides decks into interactive activities for students to use independently or as a group. Try some of these ideas for making Google Slides interactive:
- Sorting or matching: Students move words, pictures, or examples into categories (eg, living vs. non-living, fact vs. opinion, main idea vs. details).
- Construct an answer: Students arrange the words or pictures.
- Labeling: Students drag labels onto pictures, maps, or charts to demonstrate understanding.
- This or that: Students choose between options and justify their thinking on the same slide.
- Click and reveal: Students answer or predict first, then move on to reveal answers or explanations.
Be sure to download your free set of Google Slides templates and themes!
Our extensive set includes presentation themes, student activities, interactive slides, and much more. Download them all for free! Just click the link below and fill out the form to get yours.
