Google Gifts: OpenClipArt Add-on for Google Docs

During the weekdays of December, we're sharing one tool per day.  We're calling it our Google Gifts series.  Some of these come directly from Google, and others are tools that enhance Google Apps or Chrome.  Today, we're sharing the OpenClipArt add-on for Google Docs.

As an add-on for Google Docs, this is something you can install to add functionality into documents (see Google's help page if you're not sure what an add-on is).  Once you add it into one document, it will be available for others by using the "Add-ons" menu while in a Google Doc.

Why would I use it?  What does it do?
We posted earlier about using images for learning and how you can use the "Insert" menu to add images into a document.   

Another option (helpful if you are just looking for clip art) is to use this add-on, which works similarly to the Research Tool (see the previous blog post for more information).  When you use this add-on, it opens a window on the right side of your window where you can search for clipart by keyword. 

Like the Research Tool, any image that you want to use can be dragged into your document.  Once there, you can resize it as you would any other inserted object.  And, because these come from Openclipart, you don't need to worry about usage rights and copyright.  Currently, there are 50,000 images from which to choose.

Where can I learn more?
You can find this add-on in the Chrome web store, but, it's pretty simple and intuitive.  And it might be a good solution for kid-friendly images that can be easily inserted into a document.