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Newsletters are a great way to communicate important information with students/staff/parents. On this page you will learn how you can move away from the traditional newsletter and create a Google Slide show that acts as a newsletter.
Newsletters are a great way to communicate important information with students/staff/parents. On this page you will learn how you can move away from the traditional newsletter and create a Google Slide show that acts as a newsletter.
Why You Should Use A Digital Newsletter
Why You Should Use A Digital Newsletter
1. Slides can include more than just text and pictures. You can include images, videos, links, and audio.
1. Slides can include more than just text and pictures. You can include images, videos, links, and audio.
2. Placing your new newsletter as the first slide ensures that your students/staff/parents always have the current issue.
2. Placing your new newsletter as the first slide ensures that your students/staff/parents always have the current issue.
3. Using a Google Slide show allows students/staff/parents to quickly access back issues of your newsletter. No more oops my student/teacher/child lost the paper!
3. Using a Google Slide show allows students/staff/parents to quickly access back issues of your newsletter. No more oops my student/teacher/child lost the paper!
4. Google Slides is mobile friendly. Most of us do not carry our laptops all day long. We do however have our phones.
4. Google Slides is mobile friendly. Most of us do not carry our laptops all day long. We do however have our phones.
Examples of Google Slides Newsletters
Examples of Google Slides Newsletters
How to make a Google Slide Newsletter
How to make a Google Slide Newsletter
Before You Start
Before You Start
1. Think of some of the main areas that you want to communicate. This can be school/class celebrations, data, upcoming events, announcements, reminders, etc. Try and stay at a 5000ft view and don't get to bogged down in the details.
1. Think of some of the main areas that you want to communicate. This can be school/class celebrations, data, upcoming events, announcements, reminders, etc. Try and stay at a 5000ft view and don't get to bogged down in the details.
Creating the Google Slide from Scratch
Creating the Google Slide from Scratch
1. Create a new Google Slide by clicking here.
1. Create a new Google Slide by clicking here.
2. Design your newsletter using shapes, tables, and text boxes.
2. Design your newsletter using shapes, tables, and text boxes.
3. Remember that multiple colors and layers are your friend! Your newsletter does not have to be visually stunning but it also should not be a white background with white text.
3. Remember that multiple colors and layers are your friend! Your newsletter does not have to be visually stunning but it also should not be a white background with white text.
Free Templates You Can Use
Free Templates You Can Use
If you do not want to start from scratch below are several templates that you can use.
If you do not want to start from scratch below are several templates that you can use.
To use a template click on the links below. You will then be forced to make a copy.
To use a template click on the links below. You will then be forced to make a copy.
Based on YPICS Tech Weekly
Based on LVUSD Tech Tips Weekly
Based on Rocklin High School Newsletter
Based on Weekly Dose of EdTech Awesomeness
Sharing your newsletter
Sharing your newsletter
1. Publish your slideshow to the web. If you need help publishing your slideshow click here.
1. Publish your slideshow to the web. If you need help publishing your slideshow click here.
2. Create a QR Code to quickly share your newsletter. You can share this code with parents at back to school night, via a paper handout, or post it somewhere in your school so it is easily accessible.
2. Create a QR Code to quickly share your newsletter. You can share this code with parents at back to school night, via a paper handout, or post it somewhere in your school so it is easily accessible.
3. Create a bit.ly short link. Bit.ly allows you to customize your URL so you can make it something easy to remember and unique. Keep in mind that if you use a free account you can not edit your short link.
3. Create a bit.ly short link. Bit.ly allows you to customize your URL so you can make it something easy to remember and unique. Keep in mind that if you use a free account you can not edit your short link.
10 Quick Suggestions
10 Quick Suggestions
1. Brand your newsletter! Come up with a fun name so people immediately know what you are talking about when you talk about it. This can be done by the person creating the newsletter or by polling the staff.
1. Brand your newsletter! Come up with a fun name so people immediately know what you are talking about when you talk about it. This can be done by the person creating the newsletter or by polling the staff.
2. Always be sharing that you have a newsletter. Only mentioning it once will not get people to view it. You have to remind them that it exists.
2. Always be sharing that you have a newsletter. Only mentioning it once will not get people to view it. You have to remind them that it exists.
3. Don't be afraid to say "That's on the newsletter" When you first implement this idea you need to give people a reason to check out the newsletter. Forcing them to go to the newsletter to retrieve information will expose them to the newsletter.
3. Don't be afraid to say "That's on the newsletter" When you first implement this idea you need to give people a reason to check out the newsletter. Forcing them to go to the newsletter to retrieve information will expose them to the newsletter.
4. Make sure that you make you share your published link and not the normal Google Slides link. The published link allows people to access the slideshow in presentation mode already.
4. Make sure that you make you share your published link and not the normal Google Slides link. The published link allows people to access the slideshow in presentation mode already.
5. Use Incognito or another account to test all of your links prior to sharing the newsletter.
5. Use Incognito or another account to test all of your links prior to sharing the newsletter.
6. Use a naming convention like Vol 1 Issue 2 or include the date so people can quickly find back issues.
6. Use a naming convention like Vol 1 Issue 2 or include the date so people can quickly find back issues.
7. Include a trivia question or some other item that requires people to interact with the newsletter. This will help you identify who is looking at the newsletter and also add an element of fun.
7. Include a trivia question or some other item that requires people to interact with the newsletter. This will help you identify who is looking at the newsletter and also add an element of fun.
8. If you are including student work/pictures make sure that follow all of your school's Acceptable Use Policy/Privacy Policy guidelines.
8. If you are including student work/pictures make sure that follow all of your school's Acceptable Use Policy/Privacy Policy guidelines.
9. I have a newsletter (draft) where I create the newsletter and a newsletter (published) where I place the final copies. This allows me to slowly work on the newsletter without causing any confusion for my viewers.
9. I have a newsletter (draft) where I create the newsletter and a newsletter (published) where I place the final copies. This allows me to slowly work on the newsletter without causing any confusion for my viewers.
10. Use the newsletter to help organize your own thoughts and narrow down what you need to focus on. This is the content that you should be sharing.
10. Use the newsletter to help organize your own thoughts and narrow down what you need to focus on. This is the content that you should be sharing.
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