We all know about Google's core suite of productivity tools - Docs, Slides, Sheets, etc. For the first time in a long time, they have added a new tool to the list - Google Vids! If you create files from the "New" menu in Drive, you should now see "Google Vids" as an option.
You can also access the tool from vids.google.com where you can click on the "+" icon in the bottom right to create a new video.
Google Vids is a simple video recording/editing tool that can be used for recording screencasts, webcams, or audio only or it can be used to create larger projects that include outside video/photos, music, text, and graphics.
To record a simple screencast or webcam recording, just access the tool through one of the methods above (or an even quicker option...use vids.new to immediately start a new video project!) In the window that opens, click the "Record" button on the left side.
Press the "Record Now" button and then give permission for the tool to access your camera/microphone if necessary. Then choose from the top of the window whether you want to record your webcam, your webcam and your screen, just your screen, or just audio.
Then you can hit the big red record button to start! Click the same button to stop/pause the recording. You can then preview your recording to ensure that you are happy with it. If not, click the Restart button to try again. If you're happy, click the "Insert" button. That will put your recording into the Google Vids editor. From there, it can be shared, downloaded, or you can use the tools in Google Vids to add more content or edit it!
If you would rather start with a more robust video template, you choose Templates instead of Record when you create a new Vid. Hovering over each template will show you a preview. When you select one of the templates, it will show you all the "scenes" (similar to slides in a slideshow) available - you can choose to import one or all of them (you can always delete some later).
Once the template is open, you can start editing text and pictures and adding your own content. As an added bonus, you will also be able to access stock images, photos, music, sound effects, and more! Explore the tool on your own to see how it works or if you would like a more structured/detailed explanation, consider taking this brief online course that dives into all the features.
No matter what type of video you create or work on, you will find it in the same location as all of your other Google files - right in your Drive! And just like all other Google files, they can be organized or shared in any way you see fit. And of course - they save automatically.
Google Vids is available to all staff right now and should be available to students within the next week or two. It is a great way to make quick videos in a tool that feels very similar to Google Slides. In many situations, it may be a better option for you or your students than tools like WeVideo or Canva Video, so give it a try!
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