add Chrome Apps & Extensions
When designing their web browser Chrome, Google included the ability for users to customize it in order to increase productivity. This can be done by adding Apps and Extensions to Chrome.
Chrome Apps are specific online web resources that can be found in the Apps link in Chrome's bookmark bar. Once Apps is clicked, the user is taken to a page that lays out all the apps installed with Chrome. Many will be recognizable (Docs, Slides, etc.), and this is another way of accessing commonly used Google programs. Users can find and add more from the Chrome Web Store.
Chrome Extensions are small programs that can also be found at the Chrome Web Store. The user can find Extensions that suit their needs and install them next to the URL address bar for easy access. There are even a set of extensions that are Integrated with Google Classroom. Below are some Extensions that we think would be beneficial to teachers and students in a math or science classroom.
Because of the long list of apps, extensions, and other add-ons, please use these anchor links to navigate through the page.
Chrome Apps are specific online web resources that can be found in the Apps link in Chrome's bookmark bar. Once Apps is clicked, the user is taken to a page that lays out all the apps installed with Chrome. Many will be recognizable (Docs, Slides, etc.), and this is another way of accessing commonly used Google programs. Users can find and add more from the Chrome Web Store.
Chrome Extensions are small programs that can also be found at the Chrome Web Store. The user can find Extensions that suit their needs and install them next to the URL address bar for easy access. There are even a set of extensions that are Integrated with Google Classroom. Below are some Extensions that we think would be beneficial to teachers and students in a math or science classroom.
Because of the long list of apps, extensions, and other add-ons, please use these anchor links to navigate through the page.
Chrome Apps
Human 3.0
Human 3.0 is a, "virtual body platform consisting of the most comprehensive set of true 3D anatomy and 3D health condition models ever assembled. Use our free or paid premium version and choose from 1000’s of interactive visualizations to build your own custom library of models." ("BioDigital: 3D Human Visualization Platform for Anatomy and Disease", 2016)
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Science in Context
"Gale’s Science In Context is the premier online resource providing contextual information on today’s most significant science topics. This cross curricular research tool helps users discover top science focused reference content with more than 200 experiments and projects that range from simple to complex, plus full-text books and magazine, academic journal, and news articles...Note: Access to this resource is provided through your school or local library. You may be prompted to login using your library credentials." ("Science in Context - Chrome Web Store", 2016)
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Nearpod
"The Nearpod platform enables teachers, schools and districts, to use their tablets/Google Chromebooks to manage content on students' mobile devices. It seamlessly combines interactive presentation, collaboration, and real-time assessment tools into one integrated solution." ("Nearpod - Chrome Web Store", 2016).
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Chrome Extensions
Read&Write For Google Chrome
Differentiating instruction for students' differing abilities can be quite difficult at times. With Read&Write for Google Chrome, teachers give their students the ability for all to be working with the same websites. To see how it can be used with Google Docs, please read the section below for other add-ons.
This is not a free service, but if used with GAFE, district pricing drops from $100 per user, to $10 per user! Back to top |
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Grammarly
Because Docs, Slides and other such tools rely only on the Chrome spelling checker, students can still fall victim to grammar and punctuation errors. Adding the Grammarly extension is essential for student success!
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AdBlock
One issue that educators may face when allowing their students to research freely on the Internet, is the inability to control what inappropriate images and links their students may see. With AdBlock, teachers do not have to worry about pop-up ads, or side bar ads that can distract the user. Adblock removes these intrusive ads. We recommend this extension even for your own personal use!
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Cite This For Me: Web Citer
Teaching students about plagiarism can be a difficult task - students find it so easy to copy/paste others' work into their Docs. Unfortunately, citing sources can take time, as well as time to teach students how to properly cite in the proper formats. Cite This For Me: Web Citer is an extension where students just need to click once and receive the proper citation in APA, Chicago, Harvard, and MLA.
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Distraction-Free YouTUbe
Your class is watching a YouTube video. The video finishes, and either another video plays (which might be inappropriate), or ads pop-up onscreen. Additionally, 'related videos' (which may or may not be appropriate for your class) are listed along the side of the page, further distracting your class. Distraction Free YouTube (DF YouTube) is an extension that gives YouTube a clean interface, without all the extra distractions.
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Goo.Gl URL Shortener
Once you use Google programs like Docs a lot, you will quite quickly begin using the share functions. However, you will begin to notice that the share URLs are quite lengthy and non-sensical. How can you share such a link with your class effectively? Goo.gl URL shortener works to create an unique URL that is short and can easily be copied.
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CraftyText
If you installed the Goo.gl URL Shortener in order to effectively share Doc URLs with your students, installing the CraftyText extension might be a good idea too! CraftyText allows the instructor to put URLs on the screen, or other instructions and/or terms, in large text to allow students to see better in order to type-in the URL desired.
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Readability
Many websites have information in different places on the screen - a very cluttered place sometimes! For example, your typical Wikipedia page has numerous links on both sides, as well as the bottom. This can be quite distracting for some students. Sometimes the font is very small, as there is a lot of information to sift through. Readability is an extension that takes the main information on the page and changes it into a distraction-free zone.
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ScreenCastify
ScreenCastify (Screen Video Recorder) is a simple screen recording tool that can be used by students to demonstrate their learning through video. The screen and audio can be saved in a video file - perhaps to record a video tutorial on how to use Google Apps for Education?
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Extensity
Now that you've added lots of extensions to your Chrome browser, you might have noticed how you have a very long line of extension icons that are eating away your screen real-estate. Extensity is an extension that allows you to turn extensions on or off. When you don't need a certain extension, Extensity tucks it away within its extension icon to allow you to gain your screen back. We find it a great way to organize your extensions and a must have!
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Other Google Add-ons
Read&Write For Google Docs
As discussed above, please watch the video to see how Read&Write can be used with Google Docs to help with differentiated instruction.
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Flubaroo
Flubaroo is an extension that can be added to Google Sheets to allow grading of Google Forms. Please see the Creating Self-Marking Quizzes tutorial in the Google Forms section.
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