1. Getting Started

• Getting started with Google Docs presentations is really similar to using Microsoft Office.  Create a new presentation by choosing "New" menu then "Presentation."

  

2. Immediately rename your presentation. 

• You can do this by clicking on "Untitled Presentation" in the upper right.
• Then save your file.

3. You're ready to insert your content.

• Just like in Powerpoint, click on the placeholder texts and type your own.
• Insert new slides with Insert -> New slide.

4. You can change the template, too.

• Choose "Edit" then "Change theme."
• The offerings are pretty slim. But for teachers and students, I think this is a great thing.  Because if you have too many choices, you and your students will waste time focusing on the layout and design and less time worrying about the content.

5. Ready to add an image or two?

6. Need to add some Web links?  Here's a quick video to show you how.

7. Tips and tricks

• Google Docs presentations can also insert video directly from YouTube.  Just go to the "Insert" menu to "Video." Or here's a link to the video.
• You can also embed your presentation when it's completed right into a Web page, like I did below. Choose "Share" in the upper right, then "Publish/embed."  Follow the directions to make the file public (this means anybody in the world can see and Google can search it).  Then copy the embed code to paste into your Web page.

• You can also download your presentations as a Powerpoint (PPT) file from under the "File" menu.

• From the Google Docs home screen, you can upload a Powerpoint presentation (both .ppt and .pps).  These will be converted to Google Docs presentations and become editable.  There are no guarantees with the fonts and template backgrounds.  But I've had good success.