Google MixBoard is an online tool that lets you generate and organize pictures around a theme. In this activity, students will generate several images on a given topic and combine them into a mood board to express ideas visually.
The lesson focuses on the theme of “Traveling”, where students will learn and practice vocabulary related to global destinations and travel-related activities. After being introduced to key vocabulary and language structures, students will apply their knowledge by creating a Moodboard using Google Mixboard and taking on the role of a tour guide, describing various places and experiences in an engaging and informative way.
Target Age: 12-14
Target Language Level (based on CEFR): A2-B1
Location (indoors, outdoors, gym, classroom, etc.): Classroom
The aim of this lesson is to help students explore and communicate abstract ideas or vocabulary thematically through AI-generated visuals, enhancing their descriptive language and conceptual understanding.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to...
Generate visual content using Google MixBoard to represent a given theme or topic creatively.
Select and organize images that accurately express specific ideas, emotions, or concepts related to the topic.
Use descriptive and thematic vocabulary to explain the meaning and connections between the chosen images.
Collaborate with peers to design a cohesive visual mood board that communicates shared ideas effectively.
Present and justify their visual choices using appropriate language for describing and interpreting images.
Teacher’s preparation:
Prepare instructions to use Google Mixboard. (before class - 20 minutes)
Prepares the prompt for the activity. (before class - 5 minutes)
Give instructions to students (in class - 3 minutes)
Student’s preparation:
Listen to the instructions and make sure they can access Google Mixboard. (in class - 3 minutes)
1. Instructions & Setup (3 minutes)
The teacher introduces the activity and demonstrates how to use Google Mixboard, showing examples of mood boards and how to add and modify images.
Students access Google Mixboard on their devices.
The teacher divides the class into groups of 3–4 students.
Each group selects a country they would like to explore and present.
2. Group Work – Around the World in a Moodboard (7 minutes)
Each group creates a visual moodboard on Google Mixboard featuring images that represent their chosen country (e.g., landmarks, food, festivals, nature, etc.). Prompt: a trip to [a country].
Each moodboard should contain no more than 5 images.
Students can customize their moodboards creatively by modifying images, adding text, or using design features.
Optional: Using the suggestive mode, students can generate short descriptions for each image to help them prepare their presentation. Suggested prompts: “Write a description about this image.”, “Can you explain this image?”
Groups work together to plan a 1-minute mini-presentation as if they were tour guides introducing their country to tourists.
3. Group Presentations (5 minutes)
Each group presents their moodboard to the class.
Each group has 1 minute to present their country and highlight key attractions or cultural features.
Get started by picking an example prompt or writing your own. Mixboard will always generate ~15 blocks on your first prompt.
Prompt: a trip to [a country].
Get started by picking an example prompt or writing your own. Mixboard will always generate ~15 blocks on your first prompt.
Batch create blocks: Ask Mixboard to create additional blocks and it will create them in the same style of the blocks on your board.
Try selecting multiple blocks and asking for edits.
Ask Mixboard to combine blocks like adding one object from one image to another or transfer styles.
Mixboard understands all the context on the board. You can just describe the blocks that you want to change.
Ask Mixboard to generate text using context on the board. Suggested prompts: “Write a description about this image.”, “Can you explain this image?”
When you are ready, create & share a view only board! Make sure to make your link public!