Roster to Slides

September 3, 2022
Roster Extras

My absolute favorite tool is Alice Keeler's Roster to Slides, which is a part of Roster Extras for Schoolytics. I can create a Google Sheets, add a class roster, and push those names to a Google Slides with a few clicks.

Students can view each other's work for inspiration and challenge. The teacher can view everyone's work and give feedback during class. Have I convinced you to install Roster Extras yet?

Note: I had to ask our school IT Department to allow Roster Extras to be installed. You can use the extension add-on with or without purchasing a Schoolytics license. Roster Extras is free.

One time directions

  1. Open the Sidebar.
  2. Select Format Sheet.
  3. Add the student roster to Column B starting in Row 2.

I teach junior high, which means I have multiple class rosters. I have all of my rosters on different tabs in the same spreadsheet. I used the Duplicate tab option to save time formatting each tab. I delete and add names as the class roster changes throughout the year.

Roster to Slides

How do you use the Roster to Slides option?

  1. With the sidebar open, select Sort Alpha if necessary.
  2. Click CREATE SLIDES.
  3. After each slide is complete, the newly created slide deck will open.
  4. Change the name of the slide deck and add it to Google Classroom as Students can edit file.

If the browser does not allow pop-ups, you can access the new slide deck with student names in Google Drive.

Malicious Behavior?

I use Roster to Slides with all of my classes on a weekly basis for all subject areas. This year I have had no issues with students deleting each other's work. That is not always true; maybe I am just lucky this year.

Even when I lay out the purpose and rules for whole-class Google Slides, I will have students delete a friend's work or write on their slide as a joke. These malicious incidents are teachable moments for collaboration and peer learning. Patience is necessary. The shortcut CTRL + Z to undo is our friend.

Benefits of Roster to Slides

View Student Work

One of the benefits of Roster to Slides is that the teacher can view work as students complete it. If a student is struggling, the teacher can adjust instruction and feedback. Feedback can be given during the process, which results in immediate improvement.

To see all slides at once, click on the Grid view icon in the lower left corner.

Student names are blurred in this example of Roster to Slides. For this assignment, students had to create one word quotes using Canva.com templates that they uploaded to their slide. Notice how I can see all student slides at once by clicking on Grid View in the bottom left corner.

Peer Feedback

I like to begin class with students giving feedback to their classmates. In the beginning, I only allow detailed compliments because students need to build trust before they can give critiques for improvement.

To make a comment on a student's slide, use the shortcut CTRL +  ALT + M.

Roster to Slides in Yearbook Class

Roster to Slides is especially helpful in yearbook class. We will create our yearbook in Google Slides. At the beginning of the year, students need to get to used to working in the same slide deck with their classmates.

To change the page size, go to File -> Page setup to 8.5 x 11 inches.

In the beginning of the year, I change the page setup for the students. As the year progress, I have student leaders change the Page setup for the class.

Conclusion

Learn more about Roster Extras Add-on at AliceKeeler.com. Thank you, Alice, for the SlidesYearbook shout in that post. Of all the tools I use, Roster to Slides is my favorite! If you have questions or want to share student, work, please contact me on Twitter or the email contact form. Click on the link below to add the hashtag #SlidesYearbook and tag me.