This document provides an overview of how educators can use Google Draw as a free online drawing tool. Google Draw allows users to draw and edit images online without downloads. It also allows storing and sharing creations online. The document outlines how to get started with Google Draw and insert various elements like shapes, text, charts and images. It also explains how educators can use Google Draw to create concept maps, timelines, Venn diagrams, polls and annotate/label images.

1. Drawings for Educators
Getting Started and Getting Inspired
Seth Allen, MLIS, MA
Instructional Technologist
South College

2. Google Draw is a free, cloud-based drawing app, similar to
Microsoft Paint. This free tool allows educators and students
to:
● Draw and edit images on online canvas (i.e. no downloads)
● Store creations online
● Allow multiple users to edit an image
What is Google Draw?

3. To create your first
drawing, go to
drive.google.com. Then
click on the ‘New’ icon
and ‘Google Drawings’.
Getting Started

4. Under the ‘Insert’ button,
you can add shapes, lines,
text, charts and/or tables.
Getting Started

5. Go to ‘Insert,’ ‘Chart,’ and then
add your desired chart type.
Adding Charts and Graphs

6. You will see a generic chart. To
edit the chart data, click on the
arrow button (highlighted in
yellow on the left). This will
open a Spreadsheet where you
can edit numbers.
Adding Charts and Graphs

7. You can edit the numbers
and labels in Google Sheets
- notice that this
automatically updates the
numbers in your Google
drawing.
Adding Charts and Graphs

8. You can edit the numbers
and labels in Google Sheets
- notice that this
automatically updates the
numbers in your Google
drawing.
Adding Charts and Graphs

9. Click on ‘Insert’ and ‘Insert
image’. Note that you can
upload images, take a
snapshot, or add images
from a Google image
search.
Adding Images

10. Notice the toolbar above the image. You can add borders
around images, crop them, and change the
brightness and contrast under ‘Image options.’
Editing Images

11. Go to ‘File,’ ‘Share,’ and then click on ‘Get
shareable link’. With this link, you can
allow others to edit, comment, or edit the
image themselves.
Sharing Images

12. You can download the
image as a standard file
format by going to ‘File,’
‘Download as,’ and
selecting the appropriate
file format. There is a print
button on the toolbar.
Look for this icon in the
top left-hand corner.
Sharing Images

13. Drawings for Educators
Ideas for Educators

14. Concept Maps
To make a copy, click on
the image and then click on
‘File’ and ‘Make a copy’.
You can make a copy of
this image for your own
uses.

15. Timeline

16. Venn Diagrams

17. Informal Polls

18. Annotating & Labeling Images