App Review: 'Google Slides'

App Name: Google Slides

Cost: Free

What does it promise? Google Slides promises a way for teachers to create and store all of their presentations for their classes. It promises a way for you to keep all of your mobile devices synced so no matter what device you’re using, you can find all of your material as long as you have a Gmail account.

Features:

Create new presentations or edit any that were created on the web or on another device 
Share presentations and work together with others in the same presentation at the same time
Open, edit, and save Microsoft PowerPoint files

Get stuff done anytime -- even without an internet connection
Add and rearrange slides, format text and shapes, and more
Present right from your device
Never worry about losing your work -- everything is automatically saved as you type

- iTunes

Does it deliver? Yes. If you’ve ever used Google Slides before you know how useful of a tool it is. It’s one of the easiest ways to create slideshows that are perfect for in classroom use. With the Google Slides application it brings all of the tools right to your mobile device. What’s even better is that instead of hooking up a bigger laptop or Chromebook, you can quickly hook your phone up to your class’s projector or Smart Board system for projection.

Can I use it in the classroom? Yes. It is geared for in-class use. While the app itself may not present an educational benefit, it is definitely a benefit to teachers. It helps with organization and can be linked to your Gmail account making things much easier in terms of accessing the information. Recently we wrote an article that pointed out all of the ways in which Google is winning in the EdTech race and apps like these are certainly a part of that.

App review by Navindra Persaud, Education World Contributor