How to Create a Bitmoji Classroom in Google Slides: A Teacher’s Secret Weapon

Creating a Bitmoji classroom in Google Slides is a fantastic way to inject personality and engagement into your online teaching. It’s a virtual space where your students can interact with learning materials, get announcements, and feel more connected to you and their classmates, even from afar. Let’s dive into the how-to, shall we?

The core process involves building a virtual room using background images and furniture elements, then adding your personal Bitmoji avatar and linking various objects to external resources or other slides. The result is a visually appealing, interactive hub for your students.

Step-by-Step: Building Your Bitmoji Classroom

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to craft your very own Bitmoji classroom:

1. Open Google Slides: Start with a blank presentation in Google Slides. Delete the default title and subtitle text boxes.
2. Set Your Background: This is the foundation of your room. Go to Background > Choose Image.
   • You have several options here:
     • Search Google Images: Type in keywords like “wall and floor background,” “classroom background,” or “wood floor white wall.” Experiment with different search terms to find the perfect backdrop.
     • Upload Your Own: If you have a custom background image, you can upload it directly.
     • Choose a Color Gradient: For a simpler look, select a solid color or gradient.
3. Add Furniture and Decorations: This is where your creativity shines!
   • Go to Insert > Image > Search the Web.
   • Use search terms like “transparent chair,” “transparent desk,” “transparent whiteboard,” “transparent rug,” etc. The keyword “transparent” is crucial; it ensures the object doesn’t have a white background.
   • Insert, resize, and position the furniture to your liking. Remember layering! Use Arrange > Order to bring objects forward or send them backward.
4. Insert Your Bitmoji: Now for the star of the show!
   • You need the Bitmoji Chrome Extension installed. If you don’t have it, add it from the Chrome Web Store.
   • Click the Bitmoji extension icon in your Chrome toolbar.
   • Search for poses that fit your classroom scene (e.g., “sitting,” “pointing,” “standing”).
   • Right-click on the desired Bitmoji image and select “Copy Image.”
   • Paste the image into your Google Slides. Resize and position your Bitmoji.
5. Make it Interactive: Adding Links
   • Select an object you want to make interactive (e.g., a whiteboard, a book, a poster).
   • Click Insert > Link (or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K).
   • Paste the URL of the resource you want to link to (e.g., a YouTube video, a Google Doc, a website).
   • Alternatively, link to another slide in your presentation. This is great for creating different sections within your Bitmoji classroom.
6. Add Text and Instructions:
   • Use text boxes to add instructions, greetings, or important information for your students.
   • Choose fonts and colors that are easy to read and visually appealing.
7. Duplicate and Adapt:
   • Once you have a basic classroom layout, duplicate the slide (right-click on the slide in the sidebar and select “Duplicate slide”).
   • Adapt each slide for different lessons, themes, or announcements.

Advanced Tips for Bitmoji Classroom Masters

• Use GIFs: Animated GIFs can add movement and excitement to your classroom. Find transparent GIFs on websites like Giphy and insert them as you would any other image.
• Create a Library of Resources: Save furniture elements and Bitmoji poses in a separate Google Slides presentation for easy access when creating new classrooms.
• Collaborate with Colleagues: Share your Bitmoji classroom with other teachers and collaborate on designs and resources.
• Gather Student Input: Ask your students for suggestions on what they’d like to see in the classroom. This fosters a sense of ownership and investment.
• Accessibility: Consider students with visual impairments. Use alt text for images to describe the content and choose high-contrast color schemes.
• Regularly Update: Keep your Bitmoji classroom fresh by adding new content, changing the decorations, and updating the links.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bitmoji Classrooms

Here are some common questions and answers to help you on your Bitmoji classroom journey:

1. How do I get the Bitmoji Chrome Extension?

Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for “Bitmoji.” Click “Add to Chrome” to install the extension. You’ll need to log in to your Bitmoji account (or create one if you don’t already have one).

2. Why is my Bitmoji image blurry when I paste it into Google Slides?

This can happen if the original Bitmoji image is low resolution. Try searching for a larger Bitmoji pose or using a different pose. You can also try right-clicking the image in Google Slides and selecting “Replace Image” to see if a higher resolution version is available.

3. How do I make sure the furniture I insert is transparent?

Always include the word “transparent” in your search terms when looking for images in Google Images. For example, search for “transparent bookshelf” or “transparent rug.”

4. Can I use a Bitmoji classroom in other platforms besides Google Slides?

Yes, you can! You can export your Bitmoji classroom as a PDF or image and then embed it in other platforms like Canvas, Blackboard, or Microsoft Teams. However, the interactive links might not work depending on the platform.

5. How do I add a video to my Bitmoji classroom?

Insert a shape where you want the video to appear (e.g., a rectangle to represent a TV screen). Then, link the shape to the URL of the YouTube video. When students click on the shape, the video will open in a new tab.

6. What if I want to link to a specific slide within the same presentation?

When inserting a link, choose “Slides in this presentation” instead of pasting a URL. You can then select the specific slide you want to link to.

7. How do I create multiple rooms in my Bitmoji classroom?

Create multiple slides, each representing a different room. Link objects in each room to other rooms to allow students to navigate between them. You can create themes such as “Reading Nook”, “Math Center”, etc.

8. Can students edit my Bitmoji classroom?

By default, students can only view your Bitmoji classroom. If you want to allow students to edit, you can share the Google Slides presentation with “Edit” access. However, be very cautious about doing this, as students could accidentally (or intentionally) modify the content.

9. What are some creative ways to use a Bitmoji classroom?

Beyond basic announcements, you can use a Bitmoji classroom for:

• Virtual field trips: Link to virtual tours of museums or historical sites.
• Interactive games: Create a scavenger hunt or escape room within the classroom.
• Choice boards: Offer students different learning activities to choose from.
• Personalized feedback: Record audio or video feedback and link it to specific objects.

10. How can I make my Bitmoji classroom more accessible for students with disabilities?

• Use alt text for all images.
• Choose high-contrast color schemes.
• Provide text transcripts for any audio or video content.
• Use a clear and simple font.
• Avoid using too many animations or distracting elements.

11. Where can I find inspiration for my Bitmoji classroom design?

Search online for “Bitmoji classroom examples” or join online teacher communities where educators share their creations. Pinterest is a great resource for visual inspiration.

12. Is creating a Bitmoji classroom time-consuming?

Initially, it can take some time to find the right backgrounds, furniture, and Bitmoji poses. However, once you have a basic template, it becomes much faster to create new classrooms. Remember, you can reuse elements and collaborate with other teachers to save time.

Creating a Bitmoji classroom is an investment in your students’ engagement and connection. Embrace your creativity, experiment with different designs, and have fun building your virtual teaching space!