Breaking the Ice with Google Slides

ProfessorBeyrer
Community Coach
Community Coach
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1521

Sonia Parada from Pasadena City College shared an awesome icebreaker she uses in a face-to-face class and wondered if it could be done online. In person, each student draws an image or series of images that correspond to the syllables in their name. The class then does a gallery walk where everyone tries to guess the names represented, ending with a reveal. Genius!

This is not possible using the Canvas tools since there is not an option to do anonymous discussion replies. I did some testing and using a Google Presentation might work for this activity. Here are the steps:

  1. Create a Google Presentation and share it so anyone with the link can edit it
  2. Share the link along with the activity instructions to students (including admonishing them not to edit their classmates' slides)
  3. At the end of the activity encourage each student adds their name to their slide

The embedded video shows the results of my testing:

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