In this episode, I’m chatting with Pam Hubler, a valued Shake Up Learning team member, about Chromebook accessibility tools for all learners.

Together, we dive into the remarkable accessibility features of Chromebooks that you absolutely must explore.

Discover the art of tailoring Chromebook accessibility tools to your needs, harness the power of text-to-speech functionality, master display settings, make the most of keyboard shortcuts, fine-tune cursor settings, explore the world of captions, dictation, and so much more!

Pam also shares her Chromebook Accessibility presentation (embedded below).

Listen to this podcast episode below.

Chromebook Accessibility Tools for ALL Learners

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, Chromebooks have become a popular choice for both students and educators.

Their affordability, ease of use, and portability make them a versatile tool for learning.

What’s more, Chromebooks offer a wide array of accessibility tools that cater to the diverse needs of students, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to excel in the digital age.


In this podcast episode and blog post, Pam Hubler will guide us through the Chromebook accessibility tools that can benefit all learners, regardless of their abilities or challenges.

Pam recently delivered a presentation on this topic! Her slides are available here (and embedded below).

Turn on Accessibility Features on Chromebooks

Step 1: Find accessibility features

1. At the bottom right, select the time. Or press Alt + Shift + s.
2. Select Settings    Accessibility.
   • Optional: To have quick access to accessibility features, turn on Always show accessibility options in the system menu.

Step 2: Turn on a feature

ChromeVox Screen Reader

ChromeVox is a built-in screen reader that transforms text into speech, allowing visually impaired students to navigate the web and access digital content. This tool is fully integrated into the Chrome operating system, providing text-to-speech capabilities that can be customized to suit individual preferences. By using ChromeVox, visually impaired learners can engage with online resources, read articles, and access textbooks with ease.

Press Ctrl+Alt+Z to toggle ChromeVox on or off.

Select-to-Speak

Select-to-Speak is an extension available for Chrome that can read selected text aloud. This feature is beneficial for learners who need assistance in comprehending written content. By highlighting the text they want to hear, students can improve their reading comprehension and auditory learning skills.

Magnification and Zoom

Chromebooks offer a built-in magnification tool that allows users to zoom in on the screen, making text and graphics more accessible for those with visual impairments. This feature helps students with low vision read content, view images, and interact with web applications comfortably.

Press Ctrl+ to zoom in and Ctrl- to zoom out.

High-Contrast Mode

A high-contrast mode is a valuable tool for students with visual impairments or color blindness. By adjusting the display to increase contrast, this feature enhances readability and helps users distinguish between text and background colors more effectively.

Chromebook Keyboard Shortcuts

Chromebooks come with a range of keyboard shortcuts that make navigating the interface easier for students with physical disabilities. These shortcuts can replace complex mouse operations and help learners with mobility challenges efficiently control their devices.

To find keyboard shortcuts in your Chromebook:

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings .
3. Scroll, then select Keyboard.
4. Select View keyboard shortcuts.

Popular shortcuts

Dictate

Anywhere you can type on screen you can now press the search key + d and the option to voice type will appear!

Voice Typing

Voice Typing is an integrated tool in the Google Docs application that allows students to dictate text instead of typing it manually. This feature benefits individuals with motor impairments or learning disabilities like dyslexia. Voice Typing can significantly reduce the barriers students face when trying to express their thoughts in writing.

Go to  Tools>Voice Typing to enable in your Docs and Slides.

*Related: How to Voice Type in Google Docs (Speech-to-Text Dictation)

*Related: 7 Reasons You Need to Try Voice Typing in Google Docs

Read&Write for Google Chrome

Read&Write is an extension available in the Chrome Web Store that provides comprehensive support for learners with diverse needs. It offers features like text-to-speech, word prediction, and language translation, which are helpful for students with reading difficulties, language barriers, or learning disabilities.

*Related: How to Create a Dynamic Reading Experience

Chrome Accessibility Tutorial Videos

Below is a YouTube playlist of 20 videos. (Most of these are old, but the features remain the same–only better.)

Chromebooks are not just a cost-effective option for educational institutions but also a powerful platform for accommodating the needs of all learners.

The accessibility tools built into the Chrome web browser and operating system, as well as extensions and applications available in the Chrome Web Store, empower students with various abilities and challenges to succeed in their educational journeys.

By leveraging these tools, educators can create inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive, regardless of their unique requirements.

The future of education is digital, and Chromebook accessibility tools are helping ensure that this future is inclusive and accessible to all.

About Pam Hubler

Pam is an Innovative Learning Coordinator in Charleston, South Carolina, with 26 years in education.  She is passionate about professional development, technology integration, and building a strong culture in schools.

Follow Pam on Twitter: @specialtechie

Work with Pam or other Shake Up Learning team members: Work with Us

See Pam’s other guest blog posts and appearances on Shake Up Learning

• 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Google Meet
• Google Challenges for Teachers! (FREE Template by Pam Hubler)
• #PottyPD: How to Make the Most of a Captive Audience
• Student “Play of the Week” with Google Slides (FREE Template)
• Google Tips for Instructional Coaches and Tech Coaches
• Google Success Story: Pam Hubler, Google Certified Trainer

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post Chromebook Accessibility Tools for ALL Learners – SULS0204 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Welcome back, dedicated teachers!

As you gear up for another exciting academic year, we understand how valuable your time is.

To help you make the most out of Google’s suite of tools and save precious hours, we’ve compiled 17 quick tips that will streamline your workflow and enhance your back-to-school experience.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the key highlights from our YouTube video, providing you with a handy reference to these time-saving hacks.

17 Google Quick Tips for Back to School

00:11: Link Directly to a Google Classroom Assignment

Save your students from the hassle of navigating through multiple pages! Learn how to link them directly to a specific Google Classroom assignment efficiently. It’s a simple trick that can make a world of difference in easing the assignment access process.

01:04: Add Emojis to Topics and Assignments 

Who said assignments have to be boring? Discover how to inject some fun and creativity into your Google Classroom topics and assignments by adding emojis. Emojis can capture attention and make the learning experience more engaging.

Related: 100+ Google Quick Tips Video Library for Teachers

02:24: Use Google Templates and Assign in Google Classroom 

Tap into the power of Google Templates to save time on repetitive tasks. Find out how to use pre-designed templates and assign them directly through Google Classroom, streamlining your assignment distribution process.

11:48: Use Icons in the Google Chrome Bookmarks Bar 

Organize your bookmarks like a pro! Learn how to utilize icons in the Google Chrome bookmarks bar to create a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate setup, boosting your efficiency while browsing.

13:34: Google Chrome Tab Groups 

Tame the tab chaos with Google Chrome’s Tab Groups feature. Discover how to group related tabs together, keeping your browsing sessions organized and clutter-free.

Related: AI-Powered Google for Education Updates (Part 1)

16:07: Use the Citation Tool in Google Docs 

Say goodbye to manual citation headaches! Uncover the wonders of the citation tool in Google Docs, which can save you time and ensure accurate referencing in academic documents.

18:15: Create Interactive Google Slides 

Make your presentations stand out with interactivity! Learn how to create interactive Google Slides that captivate your audience and foster a more engaging learning environment.

21:07: Bookmark the Classwork Page in Google Classroom 

Get instant access to your classwork page with this nifty bookmarking tip. Save time and effort by quickly jumping to your Classwork tab in Google Classroom.

23:14: Tag Students in Class Comments in Google Classroom 

Personalize your feedback and communication with students! Find out how to tag individual students in class comments, making it easier for them to locate and respond to your messages.

Related: Custom Color Eyedropper in Google Slides!

25:00: Differentiate Assignments in Google Classroom 

Cater to diverse student needs by learning how to differentiate assignments in Google Classroom. Tailor tasks based on individual abilities and preferences, fostering a more inclusive learning environment.

26:17: Create a Reusable Google Classroom Class Template

Simplify class setup and save time on repetitive configurations. Discover how to create a reusable Google Classroom class template, perfect for new semesters or courses.

27:47: Use Private Comments for Reflection in Google Classroom

Promote meaningful dialogue with students using private comments. Learn how to leverage this feature in Google Classroom to provide personalized feedback and encourage student reflection.

31:32: Post Assignments to Multiple Classes in Google Classroom 

Efficiently manage multiple classes by posting assignments to multiple groups at once. Say farewell to redundant tasks and maximize your productivity.

32:36: How to Organize “Shared with Me” in Google Drive

Tidy up your Google Drive and regain control of your files! Explore techniques to efficiently organize the “Shared with Me” section, ensuring easy access to relevant documents.

We hope these 17 Google quick tips will be game-changers in optimizing your back-to-school season. Implement these time-saving hacks to streamline your tasks and devote more time to what matters most – educating and inspiring young minds!

Watch the full video above, and head over to our YouTube channel to subscribe!

Happy teaching and best wishes for a successful academic year!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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Google Quick Tips Video Library for Teachers

Each week on the Shake Up Learning Show podcast, I share a quick tip. These tips are 2 minutes or less and are all about your favorite Google tools–Google Classroom, Google Chrome, Google Drive, and more!

You can catch the tip by listening to the podcast or watch the quick tip video on YouTube!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post 100+ Google Quick Tips Video Library for Teachers appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Google for Education just announced some AH-mazing updates!

In this podcast series, Kasey explains the important updates teachers need to know.

In this episode (Part 1), we explore Smart Canvas, Building Blocks, Chrome Reading Mode, Cast Moderator, Slides and Meet integrations, and more!

Teachers, there are some powerful tools coming your way this year.

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Everfi.

Everyone remembers THAT teacher. The study hall teacher who walked you through your first college application. The social studies teacher who taught you what taxes were AND how to file them. The math teacher who used student loans to show you how interest worked. YOU can be that teacher—and EVERFI wants to help you make that kind of impact with FREE digital lessons for K thru 12 students. From budgets and banking to credit and savings, you’ll find a financial literacy topic that’s right for your classroom. And especially during April, Financial Literacy Month, there’s no better time to equip students with smart decision-making around finances. Learn how you can share these FREE resources with students and give them a financial foundation that lasts a lifetime. Just go to everfi.com/shake. 

AI-Powered Google for Education Updates (Part 1)

Building for a More Collaborative, Accessible Classroom

Smart Canvas

Last year, Google announced the Smart Canvas which gives us time-saving tools like an AI-powered summary in a Doc, a smart formula suggestion in a Sheet, or using the @ symbol to access shortcuts.

Custom Building Blocks

Soon you will be able to use custom building blocks to create and insert lesson plan templates, curriculum guides, and more. Using the @ menu, you can use saved templates instead of starting from scratch. (Will be released in the coming months to Education Plus users.)

credit: Keyword blog

Voting Chips

Teachers and students can use voting chips to quickly gather feedback directly in a Google Doc. Voting chips, which you can access by typing @voting in Docs. (Will be released in the coming months to Education Plus users.)

Timer & Stopwatch

Teachers and students can use timer and stopwatch chips for class activities, keeping track of how much time is left or how long a certain exercise took. Timer and stopwatch chips are currently rolling out. (This one is only for Education Plus users as well.)

Google Chrome & Chrome OS Updates

Reading Mode in Chrome

Reading mode is a customizable reader view coming to the side panel in Chrome browser. Reading mode will clear the junk on the screen, like advertising, images, and videos, to help students focus on the text. You can also customize settings like the typeface, font size and spacing, and text and background color. (Reading mode will be available in Chrome browser in ChromeOS in M114.)

Cast Moderator

Cast Moderator has gotten some upgrades! If you aren’t familiar, Cast Moderator allows students and teachers to “cast” their screens to a central display using an access code. Soon any presenter will be able to freeze their screen and continue working. (Think of taking attendance while students work on the warm-up!)

They’ve also added more language support, including Dutch, Japanese and Spanish.

credit: Keyword blog

Google Slides & Google Meet

Google has also improved the way Slides and Meet work together. These updates are available for Teaching and Learning Upgrade and Education Plus users.

View Speaker Notes

Speakers in Google Meet can now view their Google Slides speaker notes while sharing in a Google Meet. (available now)

Co-Present

Two or more people can control the slides in a Google Meet so co-presenting just got a lot easier! (available in the coming months)

Closed Captions

You can now add captions in English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish to your Google Meet recordings, with more languages coming later this year.

Custom Meet Backgrounds

Admins with Education Plus can add custom background images for teachers and students to use. This is a great way to add some standardization and branding for your school.

AI-Powered Hand Raise Gesture Detection

Say that three times fast! LOL When someone in a Google Meet physically raises their hand, Meet will automagically recognize this and notify you. (Roll out in the coming months)

Google Updates Summary Video

TLDR; check out the video below for a quick overview of all the updates.

Part 2

Stay tuned for next week’s podcast episode and blog post where we will dig into the Google Classroom Updates and safety and security.

Learn more: BETT Google for Education Updates

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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Did you know you can open a side panel in Google Chrome?

You can use the side panel to display your search results on the right side of the window while viewing pages from your search on the left.

This is much easier than going back and forth between tabs when searching.

It’s also great for student research!

(OH! and the side panel also allows you to save reading lists, view bookmarks, and your Google Search journeys.)

Watch the video below to learn how.

The Google Chrome Side Panel Search

If you are having trouble, you most likely need to search for something first and open one of your results. Then you should see Google in your dropdown.

Google support directions can be found here.

*Related: Name and Color Code Chrome Tab Groups

*Related: How to Search ALL of Your Open Chrome Tabs

Access ALL the Google Quick Tips Here!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post The Google Chrome Side Panel Search appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this episode, Kasey shares a new tool from Screencast-O-Matic: ScreenPal! This Chrome extension is a very robust screen recording tool. You can quickly add a video anywhere you type.

This is a great tool for teachers to communicate, leave feedback, record lessons, and more. AND it integrates with many of your favorite tools!

Meet ScreenPal–Your New BFF!

A few episodes back, in 186, Susan Vincentz, shared her takeaways from the FETC conference. Susan mentioned the Chrome extension ScreenPal. The more Kasey learned all this extension could do, the more she considered the possibilities for teachers. To find this Chrome extension visit the Chrome web store and search for ScreenPal. 

Listen to this article.

What Does ScreenPal Do?

“Easily record videos from any text box or comment field in your favorite browser-based apps, then share. Less typing, fewer meetings, better communication. Say it with ScreenPal!”

This powerful tool allows comments to come alive.

Once it’s added to Chrome, you will find the ScreenPal icon just about everywhere you have a textbox, as well as an icon near the bottom left of your browser.

You can record your screen, add an embedded video of the speaker, and even markup the screen with the drawing tool.

There are also a few special effects to really jazz up your videos! Add fireworks or confetti to emphasize what you’re sharing. It also provides fun heart effect icons floating through your video. The best way to see how this can help is to try it! 

The extension works in any place your web browser takes you. Of course, it works with most Google apps, including Google Classroom, but Kasey shares that sometimes an overload of extensions can cause them to be glitchy. All extensions don’t play well together, so there might be some issues. Mote and ScreenPal may not play well together, so it may be necessary to uninstall Mote before using it. 

ScreenPal and Google Classroom

This may be a match made in heaven! Now it’s possible to make video announcements using ScreenPal. You can share specific information or point out important links all within your announcement. Don’t forget there’s the drawing tool to add emphasis or write in extra information to the video. 

Typically in other applications or extensions videos like this will post as a link. Not with ScreenPal! This extension actually posts a thumbnail of the video. When students or your audience hovers over the video it plays in that same browser window. There’s no opening a new page or taking you somewhere new. It’s ready to go right there! 

*Related: How to Leave Video Feedback in Google Classroom

Communication Options

ScreenPal videos are a great way to give your emails that personal touch. Think of how personal a video reminder for parent-teacher conferences could be, or a back-to-school welcome video. Imagine how much more comfortable parents might feel having seen your face prior to meeting you in person. 

In today’s world of social videos, our students are so used to communicating in this mode. This can become a very personal option to reach your students. Video allows for your tone and personality to be unambiguous. 

Blended Learning

Whether you record your lessons for distance learning or like to have a recording for absent students, ScreenPal can help make that happen. Feedback is also an important aspect to have captured on video. Whether it’s teacher or peer feedback, a video recording would take up less time and allow students to share greater detail if they don’t need to write. 

The drawing tool can also be incredibly helpful for pointing out specific areas or working through a problem. It may be awkward with a mouse, but many devices allow for a stylus or even a touch screen. 

20 Ways to Use Screencasting in the Classroom

Using a recording tool such as ScreenPal has been a topic here on Shake Up Learning in episode 162, so here are a few of the ideas revisited: 

1. Recording a lesson
2. Reflection
3. Voiceover a presentation
4. Explaining a problem, solution, etc.
5. Voiceover an ePortfolio
6. Teach others a skill
7. End-of-year memories
8. SEL check-ins
9. Goal Setting
10. Planning or Collaborating
11. Tech Tips
12. Parent Newsletters or Announcements
13. Class Announcements
14. Fluency Practice
15. Absent Work
16. Feedback: Teacher and Peer
17. Comment Bank Videos
18. Collaboration
19. Welcome and Good Morning videos
20. Classroom Systems

What do you think? Will you try ScreenPal? Let us know in the comments.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post ScreenPal–Your New BFF! – SULS0189 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Did you know that you can type actions and phrases into the Chrome search bar and access “chips” to help you complete those tasks?

It’s super easy!

And there’s a huge list of action chips here.

Try “customize chrome” or “manage downloads” to check it out.

Check out the list and see what actions can save you time.

Watch the video below to learn how.

Chrome Action Chips to Save Time!

*Related: Name and Color Code Chrome Tab Groups

*Related: How to Search ALL of Your Open Chrome Tabs

Access ALL the Google Quick Tips Here!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post Chrome Action Chips to Save You Time! appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

The new Chrome OS application by Google is called Screencast (Available for all Chromebooks running ChromeOS v. 103+ and scheduled for release in late June 2022).

The layout is very simple and clean. The features are also simple; no major bells and whistles to use.

This app allows you to record the computer screen and utilize the camera to record your face in a small square at the bottom of the screen.

It’s possible to record the full screen, part of the screen, or a specific window. You can also annotate with a pen tool while recording!

The audio and camera can be customized in case it’s necessary to use an external microphone or webcam.

Each recording also downloads automatically to your Google Drive.

The simplicity of this app allows teachers and students to quickly learn the tool’s features and use it immediately.

One of the drawbacks I found while using this tool was how long the processing took to download the video.

I also discovered that with each new recording the settings default back to the original. For example, if recording just the screen rather than having the camera turned on that setting will default to the camera being on.

Of course, this is a brand new tool and it’s likely that Google will continue to provide updates and improvements.

More information about this app can be found in the support center here.

New! Screencast App for Chromebooks from Google

@shakeuplearning New! Screencast App for #Chromebooks! #GoogleDrive #MakeNightsEpic #teachersoftiktok #tiktokteacher #teacherlife #tiktokteachertips #teachertiktok #googletricks #foryou #teachersbelike #teachertok #education #learnontiktok ♬ original sound – Kasey Bell

*Related: New Drop-Down Menus in Google Docs

*Related: Emojis in Google Docs 

Access ALL the Google Quick Tips Here!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post New! Screencast App for Chromebooks from Google appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

There’s no place like Chrome for teachers and students!

In this episode, we are jumping into some Google Chrome updates, features, and tips for teachers and students.

Let’s learn how to make the most of the Chrome browser, save time and clicks, and get organized. 

If you are using Google, you should be using Google Chrome.

Google works best with Google, y’all!

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Schoolytics.

This episode of the Shake Up Learning Show is brought to you by Schoolytics. Thousands of teachers use Schoolytics every day to help them take data-driven instruction to the next level and reclaim their time for what matters most: helping students reach their full potential. Google Classroom users can start tracking student progress and spotting performance trends in minutes – for free! Join today at Schoolytics.com.

10+ Chrome Tips and Tricks for Teachers and Students

You are going to love using these Chrome tips to save you time and stay organized in the classroom!

1. Switch Between Google Accounts Using Chrome Profiles

If you have more than one Google account, you should be using Chrome profiles to seamlessly toggle between your accounts. Watch the video below to learn how to “clean up” the wrong way, and set up your new profiles.

2. Search Open Tabs

Do you have a lot of tabs open in Chrome? I do! I am a self-proclaimed tab hoarder and I often forget what I have opened. You can easily search all your open tabs to jump to it!

Related: 5 Awesome Chrome Extensions that Make Google Classroom Even More Awesome!

3. Name and Color Code Tab Groups

Another great way to manage your tabs in Google Chrome is to name groups of tabs and color-code them. It’s easy to group tabs together for certain tasks like lesson planning, research, personal, etc.

4. Share a Link to Highlighted Text on a Webpage

Have you ever wanted to share one specific part of an article on a webpage? But the page is so long that sometimes students (and adults) cannot find that special part. Share a link that highlights and sends them directly to that section.

5. Create a Custom QR Code

QR codes are a great way to share links with mobile devices. Chrome has a super easy shortcut that will let you create and save a QR code in seconds.

Related: Chrome Squad: Student Tech Teams to Support 1-1 Schools

6. Google Search Easter Eggs

Google Search is more than just a list of relevant websites. You can use Google Search to access interactive tools for your classroom. (We call these hidden gems Easter Eggs!)

7. Closed Captions for Videos in Chrome

Closed captions are great for helping students understand the information in videos. CC is available in Google Meet, YouTube, and more, but did you know that Chrome will generate captions for other videos on the web? Check out this video to learn how.

8. Mute a Tab

Ever been annoyed by the noise on a website? Or automatically playing background music? Maybe you just need to stream something, but not listen to the sound. You can easily keep playing but mute the tab.

Related: How to Add a Folder to the Chrome Bookmarks Bar

9. Continue Where You Left Off

As someone who uses tabs to help me remember where I left off from one day to the next, I love this feature. Set Google Chrome to reopen the tabs you had open when you closed it so you can pick up where you left off.

10. Pinned Tabs

I have some tabs that are more important than others, and some that I ALWAYS leave open–like Gmail and Google Drive. I keep these “pinned” which means that are always open and always at the front of my tabs.

Related: 13 Tools to Record Audio on Chromebooks and Other Devices

Did you like these tips? What would you add to this list. Please leave a comment below to let us know!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post 10+ Chrome Tips and Tricks for Teachers and Students – SULS0165 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Kasey has been keeping a secret!

She’s had early access to Google’s brand new Screencast app for Chromebooks.

In this episode, Kasey is giving you all the details and her thoughts on this new tool for the classroom.

Plus, she’ll be sharing 20 Ways to Use Screencasting in the Classroom!

Screencasting is a powerful tool in the teacher’s pocket. There are so many ways to use it in the classroom and to improve learning.

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Lumio.

Lumio is a digital learning tool that will transform your lessons into active, collaborative learning experiences. Every day more schools and districts are switching to Lumio – it’s truly a flexible, time-saving tool that makes it easy to turn your PDFs, Google Slides, PowerPoint, and Notebook files into engaging lessons with interactive activities, games, group workspaces, and formative assessment ALL built right in. Boost your student engagement on any devices wherever learning needs to happen. To get Lumio for FREE, head to Lum.io today.

What is screencasting?

It’s recording the computer screen. If you’ve ever watched any of the quick tip videos these are all made through screencasting tools.

There are several great tools available!

Screencastify is one of the more simple screencasting tools that Kasey has shared. For a more robust video editing tool, ScreenFlow is the tool Kasey uses for her own YouTube channel videos.

Screencast for Chromebooks (New App from Google)

The new Chrome OS application by Google is called Screencast (Available for all Chromebooks running ChromeOS v. 103+ and scheduled for release in late June 2022).

The layout is very simple and clean. The features are also simple; no major bells and whistles to use.

This app allows you to record the computer screen and utilize the camera to record your face in a small square at the bottom of the screen.

It’s possible to record the full screen, part of the screen, or a specific window. You can also annotate with a pen tool while recording!

The audio and camera can be customized in case it’s necessary to use an external microphone or webcam. 

Each recording also downloads automatically to your Google Drive.

The simplicity of this app allows teachers and students to quickly learn the tool’s features and use it immediately. 

Screencast App

One of the drawbacks that Kasey found while using this tool was how long the processing took to download the video.

Kasey also discovered that with each new recording the settings default back to the original. For example, if recording just the screen rather than having the camera turned on that setting will default to the camera being on. 

Inside the Screencast app choose Projector Recordings to begin a new recording session. Like most recording tools you’ll get a three-second countdown and an indicator will appear in the bottom right corner. There is also a pen tool to annotate the recording.

Of course, this is a brand new tool and it’s likely that Google will continue to provide updates and improvements. 

20 Ways to Use Screencasting in the Classroom

1. Record a Lesson

Students can always benefit from asynchronous learning; it’s not just a remote teaching strategy. When students have a video recording of a lesson they can pause, rewind, and rewatch for clarification as often as necessary. Recording a lesson essentially clones you to free yourself up for other instructional needs. It’s also reusable! 

2. Reflection

Asking students to reflect on their learning is a great way to gain insight into how well students understood the material. As students reflect on their work they can also share improvements and self-evaluation for future assignments. 

3. Voiceover Presentation

While it’s possible to add audio to a presentation, that audio will only record within each slide. Using the Screencasting tool will allow the presenter to speak through the entire slide presentation. Allowing students to present through recording can help free up classroom time rather than having each student share. 

4. Explain a Process/Learning/Problem and Solution

Math teachers may find this helpful for going over difficult concepts. This could also work well for students sharing how they solved a problem. Of course, other subjects may also find sharing processes relate to their material as well. Science experiments and the results, especially when students may need to explain collected data. 

5. Voiceover Portfolios

Portfolios are a digital collection of student work throughout a period of time. Mike Mohammad shared on episode 91 how he uses Google Sites for this assignment. Combining the portfolio and screencasting would allow students to give an audio commentary on their work. They could share where they see growth in their work and discuss future improvements. A wonderful tool to reflect on the work they have compiled. Kasey points out that reflection can be done at multiple milestones throughout the school year rather than making it an end-of-the-year only opportunity. 

6. Teach Others

A dynamic teaching strategy to help students break down complex concepts is to have them teach them to younger students. When students are able to teach the concept to others they have a firm grasp of the skill. This was an idea shared by Mike Mohammed who asked his physics students to teach kindergarteners physics at their level. The high school students created storybooks to do this which could be read through the Screencasting app. 

Another way for students to teach or share with other students is to have students create videos to help future students. The teacher doesn’t need to be the one creating every tutorial. Allow students to create tutorial videos as well. 

7. End of the Year Memories

Many teachers choose to compile a slideshow of photos to share with students at th end of the school year. Screencasting would allow teachers and students to include a special story or memory to go along with the photos. 

8. SEL Check-ins

One way for students to share how their feeling could be to record themselves sharing more about an answered SEL check-in question. Younger students might enjoy making their own faces to describe how they are feeling rather than choosing an emoji. Another option is to change how teachers check in with their students. 

9. Goal Setting

Kasey is a firm believer in students setting goals. She shares a few different ways to do this in her Shake Up Learning books. One idea shared is to have students create a vision board. Take this a step further by having students Screencast their board and explain each of the items they included on their board. Even if students write a list of goals or fill out a teacher-created document about goals, Screencasting their explanation can help students make connections about how they will accomplish these goals. Having these goals recorded allows students to revisit that recording for inspiration or motivation. 

10. Planning: Teachers and Students

When plans need to be shared with others using Screencasting can be a great option. In creating lessons for the team, teachers might find Screencasting helpful while designing lessons. Students may need to plan an extended project and share several pieces as they work through the project. Students may also be in charge of planning an event like a school dance. Sharing through screencasting can help keep the group organized. 

11. Tech Tips

Just as Kasey shares quick tips using screencasting, teachers may need to create tech tutorials for students or colleagues. Any of the tools or systems used in the classroom can be turned into a tutorial. Explaining how to find and turn in assignments on the LMS being used. How to check books in and out of the classroom library. An overview of the teacher’s website and how to use it. These videos are super helpful when new students arrive or even for sharing with parents. 

12. Parent Newsletters & Announcements

Sometimes it’s just easier to talk it through. People often appreciate an audio version to listen to rather than reading. 

13. Class Announcements

Certain times during the school year can be very busy, making screencasting those announcements quicker to inform everyone. The recordings can be posted to Google Classroom or emailed. 

14. Fluency Practice

English and Foreign Language teachers may find this idea for screencasting incredibly helpful. Provide students with a digital text and have them record themselves reading that text. 

15. Absent Work

Recording videos for absent students may be the simplest way to keep those students on track. Whether it’s a lesson or important class information, a screencast video could allow teachers to keep those absent students in the loop. 

16. Feedback (Peer & Teacher)

This can be used for teacher feedback or peer feedback. Whether students are sharing writing drafts or projects, sharing the feedback through screencasting can give that student much more insight for edits. It’s also more likely for students to listen to a video rather than reading through each comment. The same goes for teachers, it’s much quicker to record a video than to type out each idea for improvement. 

17. Comment Bank Videos

While grading through Google Classroom it’s possible to create a bank of common comments for student feedback. Sometimes the comment needs to be a longer explanation and it may be something several students struggle with. Creating a bank of videos can save a lot of time. 

18. Collaborate

When working with another student or teacher, writing back and forth can often not be the best form of communication. Recording a video can help communicate more effectively. 

19. Welcome & Good Morning Videos

While this might be more appropriate for those teaching online, it could still be helpful for connecting with students. Again, students who are out of the classroom for extended periods may also need these messages where they can see your face. 

20. Classroom Rules, Expectations, Processes, & Systems

Rather than taking weeks of class time to share all your process and systems create videos to share these with your new class. These videos can also be used for new students arriving in the middle of the school year. Or those very forgetful students that are in need of many refreshers. 

The list of ideas could go on for much longer! What ideas do you have?

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