Episode 206: Google Vids vs Canva Video and WeVideo

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is episode 206 called “Google Vids vs Canva Video and WeVideo” In this episode, we’ll talk about a new-ish Google app called Google Vids and how it stacks up against other popular classroom video creation tools. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.

Narrative: Have we ever solved the problem of fast and easy screencasts? A teacher asked me that this week and I realized I didn’t have a great answer.

ScreenPal has an extension, but the increased tools make it slower

WeVideo has an extension, but it is clunky and not free

Screencastify still exists, but have to pay after 10 videos

Released: Google Vids was first announced and released in preview during Google Cloud Next in April 2024, with a wider rollout to all Google Workspace users starting in November 2024 as an AI-powered video creation tool for work.

What is it? It is a video editing platform that feels more like creating a Google Slide than a video editing platform. Is this a positive thing … not sure yet.

Free Basic Version: All users get access to the web-based editor, allowing recording, importing clips, using templates, and basic editing.

AI Extras (Paid): Advanced AI tools, such as AI-generated clips from prompts, AI avatars, and enhanced script/outline generation, require paid Google Workspace or AI plan subscriptions.

What can it do?

• Screen records with or without webcam
• Converts slides to video
• Upload your own photos and videos for editing
• Has video templates with title slides, animations, etc.
• Multiple layouts: landscape, portrait, square
• Has stock audio from Youtube audio library - good music!
• Has most, if not all, typical video editing tools: playhead, video preview, splitting, multiple track editing, etc.

Benefits:

• Integration: Works directly within...

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is episode 205 called “Edtech Resolutions for 2026” In this episode, we’ll talk about our edtech tips and edtech tools that we are excited to explore in the new year. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.

Segment 1: Goodbye 2025 and Hello 2026

Narrative: Life was challenging in 2025… Welcome 2026!

Segment 2: Tips, Tools, and Resources

Nick’s

An Edtech Tip for 2026

• Building Blocks in Google Docs to templat-ize my doc writing

An Edtech Tool for 2026

• Noteobook LM - so many new tools, I have a feeling there is more to come

An Edtech Resource for 2026

• Canva Cheat sheets

Guises:

An Edtech Tip for 2026

• Simplify Tasks
• Group tasks to maximize saving time
• Boost Engagement
• Reflect on what your students like and make changes to your teaching
• Streamline Workflow
• Make templates based on your core teaching philosophy

An Edtech Tool for 2026

• Canva Code for gamification

An Edtech Resource for 2026

• Guise’s Guide to Gemini Gems

Make a PACT with your Gem:

• Persona: Give it a job title.
• Action: Give it a verb (create, grade, simplify).
• Context: Give it the boundaries (grade level, standards).
• Template: Give it a structure (table, list, email format).

Edtech Throwdown:

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Segment 3: Where to Find EdTech Throwdown

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is episode 204 called “Edtech Wrapped” In this episode, we’ll talk about our version of spotify wrapped to take a look back at our edtech year in review. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.

Narrative: Guise, do you know what Spotify Wrapped is?

We assembled our own edtech version of Spotify Wrapped as a way to talk about trends over the past year.

By the way, Ditch That Textbook has some really cool Wrapped Templates that you can use in your classroom. Check out the link here.

Instead of most played song, artist and genre, we will do most used edtech tool, most used tip or trick, most used strategy/lesson/activity

Most played song ( edtech tool )

• Gemini Gems - game changing for AI in education
• Check out Eric CurtsEdugems

Most played artist ( edtech tip or trick )

• Canva Emails

Most played genre ( strategy/lesson/activity )

• Flipped classroom, incorporating edpuzzle
• Can Edpuzzle remain competitive as edtech tools grow in scope? They are trying!

Most played song ( edtech tool )

• Canva Magic- 3d models, roller style, design and elements
• *** Bonus*** The update to video editor

Most played artist ( edtech tip or trick )

• If you have gorilla paws like me… stop using a keyboard… trywisprflow.ai

Most played genre ( strategy/lesson type )

• Flipped App Smash
• Diffit → Notebook LM

Edtech Throwdown:

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.