Create a FREE "Linktree"-Style Landing Page Using Google Slides!

I’ve noticed that several accounts I follow on Instagram use tools like Linktr.ee to create these mobile-friendly landing pages with links to other relevant personal sites, shops, social media profiles, and YouTube channels. Linktree solves the problem of having limited hyperlinks in a bio by having one link that takes a viewer to any/all other relevant links.

So, I was thinking about making a Linktree account of my own, and started researching what’s out there. Most of these tools are “freemium,” which means that you can use the service with limited functionality for free, but if you want to use certain features (like advanced customization and removing branding) you’ll have to pay. Monthly. If it was a one-time thing, I may have actually considered it, but I already have too many monthly subscriptions, with services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney +, Paramount +, WOW Network, HBO Max, and Google storage plans... Oof. 

I devised a way to create an incredibly similar type of page - fully customizable - but without some of the fancy analytics and tracking, which I honestly don’t need, using Google Slides! Here’s how I made it happen:

First, I opened a new Google Slides file, and set the “Page Setup” size to 9”x16” - this creates a vertical slide that is good for viewing on most mobile devices. 

I found an image that I liked to set as a background. You can use a number of free stock photo websites for this, like Pixabay, Unsplash, or Pexels. You can also use a tool like Canva to create an interesting background graphic or pattern yourself and then download it. 

Then, I used Flaticon (You can also use a site like the Noun Project) to find some social media icons that I can link out to my associated social media channels. 

I also inserted a profile pic and my name (I like to use “Insert-Word Art” to do this because I have greater control over the size and placement.)

I then used the “Insert Shape” tool and chose a rounded rectangle shape and filled it with a color that complimented my design. If you’re having trouble choosing colors, or want suggestions, try a site like Coolors to find some great color palette suggestions. 

The trick to getting your linked buttons all even and symmetrical is to create ONE button just how you like it, then copy/paste it to create additional buttons the same size. If you select all of your shapes at once, you can line them up perfectly by using “Arrange - Align - Center” command. “Arrange - Distribute - Vertically” will take your shapes and spread them out evenly with the same spacing! Try it out, it’s amazing! You can have as many or as few buttons as you want because it's YOUR custom page!

If you haven’t already, double-click on the button shapes to add text, indicating where the button will link out to. I have a number of different websites, so I had one that went to my professional development site, and one that went to the book I illustrated, among other things. Then, link the shapes to the corresponding sites. 

At the very bottom of my page, I added attribution for my icons via Flaticon. Be sure to do that if you use those sites! 

NOW… You will PUBLISH your slide to the web by going to “File - Publish to the Web” and click the yellow “Publish” button. I don't even mess with any of the other settings. Just copy the published URL!

Go to a URL shortener (I use bit.ly) and paste your URL to create a shortened/custom address. I chose bit.ly/LebanLinks for mine!

Your bit.ly URL can now be used in your bios on websites like Instagram and Twitter, so that if someone checks your bio, they’ll now have access to ALL of your relevant links! Be sure to test all of your links out first before sharing it with the world.

I’m so proud of my custom landing page! It cost me ZERO dollars to make, no recurring subscription fees, and it’s 100% my own custom design. And because it was made with Google Slides, I can go back in and change/update it at any time and it automatically syncs - no editing of links in bio necessary. #Winning! 

- Jen

I Like To Draw Stuff.

Creating things is what drives me in life. I figured out pretty early on that constantly creating is kind of like breathing to me. I work a lot, and I find it hard to say no to things, but I also LIKE to make things. 

Most people equate creating = ART, and for some of us, that's true, but honestly any kind of making is good with me. I waste a ridiculous amount of time finding the perfect image, graphic, font, color, etc. when I design slide decks for presentations, or I'm designing a lesson for class. It's all still creating, in my opinion. 

But, traditional art is also my jam. This past school year, I was dragged back into the art room to teach 8th grade art, and I was instantly reminded how much I love to draw. If we could just hang out for 45 minutes each day, free draw until the end of class, and go on our merry way, I'd be in heaven. But, you know, grades and such... hmph.

Ok, so I have a couple of drawing things going on at the moment. Like this Slidesmania template I got to collaborate on! I was so excited to come across a random tweet calling for some sketchnote-y drawings to be used on a slides theme! 

You can download this theme, called Doodles, for free (and read more of the story) here:
https://slidesmania.com/doodles-free-template-for-google-slides-or-powerpoint-presentations/

Shout-out to Omar Lopez for his sweet icon work in this slide deck, too!

For those wondering, I draw primarily on my iPad using an Apple Pencil and the Procreate app. My friends Manuel and Sadie first turned me on to these tools and I've never looked back - they're hands-down my favorites!

If you like these little sketches, I've got more exciting drawing plans in the future, so stay tuned!


- Mrs L.

LEGO-Inspired Minifig Portraits Using Google Draw Tools

I like to teach my students about Google Drawing tools because it's an often overlooked app in the suite of Google tools that I think has so many great uses! You've probably seen my Google Draw "Doodle Yourself" blog post in the past. That lesson is by far my favorite, but I have another lesson that I use with 6th grade students - not quite as advanced - but just as fun! We explore and practice using Google Draw tools to create custom LEGO-inspired minifig portraits.

It's a fun way to get to know a class, because they can customize their clothing and accessories to reflect their personal interests. These digital artworks look really cool printed out, and grouped together on a board, like these:

The minifig shape is iconic, easily recognizable, and universally loved. I have yet to come across a student who wasn't excited to create a project that involved LEGO in some way. I love that students can build their figures in a variety of ways, and get as detailed as they want. You can see the wide range of ideas in the photo above.

The way I teach this project is to use a Google Slides file that is shared by the entire class. Then, each student gets one slide with a minifig template as a background image. They can then build their figure by "coloring in" via layering shapes on top of the template. I like to use a Slides file because I can "lock" the background image down, and students can see what their classmates are doing and collaborate and share as needed. But you could also make these exclusively in Draw, too. Draw and Slides have the same tools, so by using the drawing tools on one, you are also learning the other.

Do you want to do this project with your class, too? Well, I'm sharing my Slides template with you today so that you can make your own copy and try it out in class!

Get your own copy of my minifig template HERE!

I've also made a YouTube video that introduces the project and goes over basic Google Draw functions and tools for getting started. You can check that out here:

If you do this lesson with your class (or even just on your own for fun), I'd love to see the results! Consider sharing with me or tagging me on Instagram or Twitter so I can check them out! 

- Mrs L.

Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Elective Teachers

My husband and I are both teachers. We did a presentation at the IAEA (Illinois Art Education Association) conference in 2015 all about social media for art teachers. I revised our presentation for Fall 2016, with a focus on ANY elective area teacher, because I strongly believe that social media is a great way to:

• Advocate for your program 
• Stay connected to parents, students, and the community
• Connect with fellow teachers in your subject area - discover your personal professional PLN!

I've embedded our (revised) presentation below:

 

In my opinion, one of the most important aspects of using social media as an educator is to consider your audience. Depending on what level you teach, you will have a different audience of parents vs students. Once you've determined who your audience is, choose your social media services accordingly. For example, my middle-schoolers are so "over" Facebook and Twitter... but they're pretty into Instagram and Snapchat. Ask yourself, "Is there a way to use these services to help enhance learning for my students?"

Of course, regardless of your student/parent audience make up, every level will also have an audience of fellow teachers to communicate with, too. I cannot put into words how important my "internet" colleagues are to me, and how grateful I am for all of the help and inspiration that I've gotten from them!

I am a firm believer of the "Think Big, Start Small" philosophy - if social media is new and scary and you don't know where to start, I always recommend Twitter as a launching point. Start there, and hopefully you can slowly build upon that later!

-Mrs. L

What, Exactly, Is Technology Integration Anyway?

Occasionally I'm tasked with projects that I put a lot of effort into for only a very small audience. Take grad class, for example. I spend a whole lot of time writing a paper or creating a presentation that gets seen by only a small number of people only one time. 

So I've decided to start sharing my efforts out on the blog to a wider audience. Here's one example: a short 5-minute presentation on technology integration. In this presentation, I aim to answer the following questions: what is technology integration, why is it important, and how can we use technology with students to enhance communication skills? 

Sometimes when I make presentations like these, I feel like I'm "preaching to the choir," but I am always surprised to encounter teachers who aren't automatically super jazzed by tech the way that I am. This presentation is for them. Feel free to use this for your own purposes, as long as you credit back to me, please. 

- Mrs. L.

Let's Talk About Graphic Design

I made this slide show on graphic design concepts for student presentations (a presentation about presentations, mind you!) and I showed it to my 6th grade students today as part of our Google Slides project. I think that this information would be helpful for all students (and teachers, and administrators) in all kinds of subject areas!

So I'm embedding it here for others to see and potentially use. Just credit back to me, please. I assembled it pretty much from past student work - both successful and not-so-successful. And my past visual arts teaching and expertise helped quite a bit, too. :)

- Mrs. L.