When guiding students to use Google Slides, what should you emphasize?

Emphasizing authentic purpose and collaboration when guiding students to use Google Slides is key for several reasons. Firstly, allowing students to chase authenticity encourages them to connect their presentations to real-world contexts, thereby enhancing their motivation and engagement. When students understand the purpose behind their work, they are more likely to invest time and creativity into their projects.

Encouraging collaboration is particularly beneficial in today’s educational landscape, as it mirrors the dynamics of teamwork found in many professional environments. Google Slides provides functionalities such as commenting, sharing, and co-editing, which facilitate collaborative learning experiences. Students can learn from each other, build upon peers’ ideas, and develop essential communication skills. Such collaborative efforts help foster a sense of community and shared responsibility for learning.

In contrast, emphasizing uniformity, minimal interaction, or strict adherence to templates may not serve the best interests of students. Focusing on uniformity could stifle creativity, and encouraging minimal interaction might lead to disengagement and lack of deeper learning opportunities. Strict templates can limit student expression and reduce the potential for innovative thinking. By prioritizing authentic purposes and collaboration, educators can support a more dynamic and enriched learning experience.