Creating Movies in Google photos, A Teaching Must

    Google Photos is so incredibly easy to use for capturing videos and images in my classroom. The tool crosses platforms, being user friendly with iPad, Android tablet or an old burner phone no longer used. Just download the Google Photos app, link to my school GAFE account and you are ready to record the magic of learning.
    The feature I just love is creating short movie highlights using photos or videos that I have in my photo library. The only downside is this feature doesn’t work on the Chrome browser for a Mac, PC or Chromebook. I have used both iPad and Nexus 7 Android tablets.
Here how I create and use this amazing tool.

• Open the Google Photos App
• Tap “Assistant”, from the menu icons on the bottom
• Tap “Movie” at the top of the new screen
• A new “Create movie” screen will appear
• Tap the Photos or Videos you want in your movie, with a limit of 50
• When finished selecting, tap “Create” and the magic begins
• A new screen will appear with your movie
• On an iPad, you have some editing options on the right
  • Arrange images/videos as you desire
  • The time view length for each image/video
  • Even music or theme options at the bottom
• Tap “Save” with finished editing
• Your new movie will appear in your Google Photos library in a few minutes.

    Once the movie appears, I give it one final view to meet my preference. Your movie will now be available on your tablet you created on or from your laptop. I select this new movie and tap the “Share” icon, which is a little different with Mac, PC and Chrome operating systems. I now tap the “Create link” icon, which instantly makes a copy. I now can send this link to students, parents and family in whatever digital means I use, from a newsletter to simple email.
    Parents tell me they appreciate the movies I share. Many say it's a nice classroom conversation starter with their child. In addition, Google Photos Movies give parent(s), guardian(s) and important adults in a child’s life, a window into the classroom. Yes, this tool is a must for any teacher!

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