Introducing Google Slides

Google Slides is a program included in G Suite and is used to create presentations. Presentations created with Google Slides are saved in the cloud on Google Drive and are linked to your Google account. This means that no matter what device you are on, you can access your presentation as long as you have an internet connection.

Accessing Google at IU

All students, faculty, and staff at Indiana University already have a Google account linked to their IU account. This account can be accessed through the Google at IU page.

NOTE: If you are not affiliated with IU, you can move ahead to Today's project.

To access the Google at IU page, in your browser's address bar, type:
google.iu.edu Enter key

To open the log in screen for Google at IU,
Click
If necessary, log in to Google at IU with your IU username and passphrase.
Use Duo to complete the two-factor authentication, if necessary.

Today’s project

In today’s scenario, we will take on the role of a college student who will be giving a presentation on G Suite to our classmates. We will start by opening Slides and exploring the themes and layouts. Next, we will work with text and images. We will look at accessibility features and prepare to deliver the presentation.

Before we start, you will have to log into your Google account and open Google Slides.

NOTE: If you do not have a Google account, and are not affiliated with IU, create an account here.

To open Google Slides, in your browser's address bar, type:
slides.google.com Enter key
Log in with your Google account, if necessary.

To create a blank presentation,
Click

Exploring the Google Slides interface

Now that Google Slides is open, take a moment to study the diagrams below to learn the vocabulary we will be using throughout this course.

Image of the blank presentation interface. The presentation name is in the upper left corner. The menu bar is beneath the presentation name and the toolbar is under the menu bar. The slide panel in on the left of the screen. Another panel is on the right. The speaker notes panel is at the bottom.

Features of the Google Slides interface
Feature	Description
Presentation name	When starting a new presentation, this says, "Untitled presentation." When text is added to the title slide, that text automatically becomes the presentation name. This can be changed by clicking the presentation name and typing the desired name.
Menu bar	The menu bar contains menu items such as File, Edit, and Insert. Each menu item has several tools under it.
Toolbar	The toolbar contains small buttons representing tools. The toolbar may change depending upon your current task.
Slide panel	This panel is on the left side of the workspace. It shows small thumbnail images of the slides.
Speaker notes panel	This panel is on the bottom of the workspace. Speaker notes can be added to this space.
Panel	On the right of the workspace is a third panel. When Slides is first opened, this is the Themes panel. Depending on the task, this panel will change to give appropriate options.

Introducing Google Slides

Accessing Google at IU

Step 1. Navigate to Google at IU.

Step 2. Log in to Google at IU.

Today’s project

Step 1. Open Google Slides and log in to Google.

Step 2. Create a blank presentation.

Exploring the Google Slides interface