Tech Tools for Teachers PODCAST

Google Vids: Fast, Polished Videos for Student Projects 

December 22, 2025

Promotional graphic for Episode 224 of the Tech Tools for Teachers podcast titled “Google Vids.” Host Shanna Martin is smiling in front of a purple plaid background. Text on the graphic reads “Tech Tools for Teachers Podcast,” “Episode 224,” and “Google Vids.”

This week on Episode 224 of the Tech Tools for Teachers Podcast, we talk about a tool that I don’t talk about often—because Google tools get plenty of attention—but this one has earned a spotlight: Google Vids.

If you’ve been hunting for a simple way for students to make videos (especially since so many “free” video tools have become paid), Google Vids is a super practical option—especially if your school is already in the Google ecosystem.

What is Google Vids?

Google Vids is part of Google Workspace and lets you create videos that look surprisingly professional with minimal effort. It saves directly to Google Drive, works smoothly with existing Google tools, and is easy to edit—so it’s approachable for teachers and students.

Screenshot of the Google Vids homepage with the greeting “Hello, Shanna. Let’s start creating.” Options for video formats (landscape, portrait, square) appear at the top. Tools shown include AI avatar, Convert Slides, Record, Upload, Templates, Storyboard, and Blank Vid.Google Vids editor interface showing a classroom video titled “Thank You Teachers.” A teacher is engaging with a group of elementary students around a table. The right sidebar includes tools like Avatar, Voiceover, Image, and Templates.Google Vids project interface with a slide that displays the word “Aquaculture” and its definition. The bottom shows the video timeline, with voiceover segments and multiple slides arranged for editing.Blank video project interface in Google Vids. A white canvas is displayed with no content added yet. The right sidebar includes tools for adding avatars, images, recordings, and other media. The timeline is empty at the bottom.

Why I’m Using It So Much Right Now

Here are my biggest wins with Google Vids in class lately:

  • Professional-looking results, fast
  • Built-in AI features (depending on your account type)
  • Great practice for AI prompting and ethical use (students learning how to cite AI and refine prompts)
  • Easy workflow because everything lives in Google Drive
  • A faster presentation format (videos can keep presentations short and engaging)

The “Convert Slides to Video” Magic

One of the easiest entry points is Convert Slides:

  1. Open Google Vids from the Google app waffle
  2. Choose Convert Slides
  3. Select a Google Slides presentation
  4. Toggle options like:
    • AI voiceover script
    • Background music
  5. Import…and Google turns your slide deck into a video-style storyboard

My students are using this for research projects (like National Parks). Even when student accounts don’t allow AI voiceover/music, they can still convert slides into a video and record their own voiceover.

Other Ways to Use Google Vids

Start from Scratch

Students (or teachers) can create a blank video and build it scene-by-scene—perfect for:

  • explainer videos
  • mini-documentaries
  • stop motion projects
  • quick presentations with visuals + narration

Record Yourself / Screen / Both

Google Vids also supports recording:

  • camera only
  • screen only
  • camera + screen
  • audio only

Some other great use cases:

  • sub plans
  • virtual instruction
  • student demonstrations
  • accessibility support (ex: student signing on camera while content plays)

Templates + Familiar Tools

Google Vids includes a big library of templates so students aren’t starting from nothing. Editing tools feel familiar—like other Google apps—with options for text, images, layout, and scene structure.

There’s also the option to choose portrait or landscape video size, depending on how you’re sharing it.

Account Differences Matter

A key note from the episode: some features vary depending on your account type:

  • Paid Google Workspace accounts may include extras (like AI avatar features)
  • Student accounts may have restrictions (common in districts)

Even without the “fancy” AI features, students can still create strong videos by converting slides and recording their own narration.

TECH MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • Google Vids (in Google Workspace): Find it in the Google app waffle (grid menu) as Vids

← Back to All Episodes