Using Google Cast for Education

Join us to learn how easy it is to setup and use Google Cast for Education in your classroom. Your students will be able to present from their desk to the rest of the class!

What is Google Cast for Education?

Google Cast for Education is a free Chrome extension that allows students and teachers to share their screens wirelessly from anywhere in the classroom. Cast for Education carries video and audio across Wi-Fi school networks, has access controls for teachers, and works seamlessly with Google Classroom. You need to make sure your Chrome browser is at version 53 or higher.

Setting Up Google Cast for Education

Administrators: Enable Cast (Cast should be enabled by default)
Administrators: Pre-install the Google Cast for Education extension for teachers
Teachers: Set up Cast for Education on her laptop/Chromebook
Students: Cast to teacher’s screen from their laptop/Chromebook

Uses for Google Cast in Your Classroom

English Language Arts

Students recreate a story to identify the main characters and important events. They present to the class as they cast their story.
Students work in pairs or small groups to complete an appropriate graphic organizer for a story they are reading. When complete, they cast and have a whole group discussion comparing their information with what other groups have.
Students work in small groups, each rewriting a portion of a particular story. This could be done as a narrative or written as a script. Groups then take turns casting their portion and performing it for the whole class.

Science/Math

Students take photos while they are conducting an experiment. Afterwards, they compile their photos in a Google Slide presentation and cast to present to the class.
Students video each other solving various math problems. Afterwards, they save the videos to Google Drive or share via Google Classroom. Students can cast video to the class demonstrating how a problem is solved.
Students take photos and videos outside of school to collect evidence of science content being studied. After creating a Google Slide, students cast and share their work as they present to the whole class.

Social Studies

Students work in groups to analyze the causes, major events, and effects of the Texas Revolution. Along with their narratives, students create drawings and/or add photos to support their information. Once done, they cast and share to the whole group.
Students draw/illustrate maps of their community, city, or state using appropriate symbols. When completed, students take turns casting their work for the class and discussing their maps.
Cast a video for the class to watch explaining the layers of the earth. Afterwards, have them use Google Drawings to illustrate their understanding. When done, students take turns casting their work to the class and explaining the layers of the earth.

What if Google Cast doesn't work for me?

Google Cast for Education does not require any hardware but does require you to use your Google Suite for Education account and a laptop/Chromebook. If you want students to be able to share from their devices (phones, tablets, etc.), then consider using a Chromecast device.

The Chromecast connects to the projector or TV via the HDMI. You will need to connect the micro USB to a USB outlet in the device or a wall outlet to power the Chromecast. To set up your Chromecast, do the following:

Plug in Chromecast and visit chromecast.com/setup.
Connect Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network.
Tap the Cast button in a Cast-enabled app.

The Chromecast device costs $35 and can be purchased online or at any local electronics store such as Best Buy or Walmart.

Getting Started with Chromecast

If you are new to using Chromecast, consider reviewing the following links:

Using Chromecast at School

On Field Trips

Have students use their devices to take photos of objects/concepts that you are studying. Once back in the classroom they can take turns casting photos of the information they learned as they discuss the content. Great when visiting zoos, museums, and art galleries.

Student Sharing

For math, have students take pictures of objects or actions at home and/or outside of school that illustrate mathematical concepts being studied. Back in class, they can share their examples - kind of like a 21st century Show-n-Tell.
To reinforce vocabulary, have students pull up an app that allows them to draw. On their devices, they each draw the Frayer model framework and choose a word to show. Take turns having each student cast their work and sharing about it. As they cast, allow others to comment on what else could be added or enhanced to deepen the concept.
During science lab, have students take videos of their science experiment. Back in the classroom, ask a few to cast their video and tell about their hypothesis, the experiment, results, and conclusions.
In physical education (or extra curricular sports), have students work in pairs to video each other using their devices as they demonstrate proper technique of an exercise or specific skill. Then, in a whole group setting, ask for various students to cast their video as they explain their technique. You can also have the whole group join along in the exercise as the cast video is playing.
In speech class, students can record themselves which they can later share casting to the whole group.
Social studies students can interview people (video or audio) about concepts being students which can later be cast in the classroom to share with the whole group.
Science classes can utilize Chromecast as a mobile document camera when paired with an Android phone. (Google Home → Cast Screen/Audio → Select Chromecast Receiver → Open Camera app)

Faculty Meetings

Ask teachers to look for examples of work that demonstrate a particular concept being discussed/studied by the teachers. During the week, teachers take photos to document where they saw examples in their classroom with their students. During the faculty meeting, each teacher is given the opportunity to cast a photo and share about it.
Have teachers take short videos of students implementing a particular skill that the campus is focusing on (such as questioning strategies, project-based learning, etc.). Once at the faculty meeting, teachers can cast their video to show the example of how students are doing the skill in their classroom. This allows other teachers to view good teaching without interrupting classrooms and visiting during the day.

Additional Resources

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