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Use Chrome overview
Use Chrome overview
Source: Android Central
There is a built-in overview mode on your Chromebook that lets you see every open window at a glance. If you've ever used a Mac, this is just like Expose. It's also just as useful!
On the top row of the keyboard, just press the []]] button (above the 6 key) or swipe down from the top with three fingers on your trackpad or touchscreen to go into the overview. Clicking any of the thumbnails will open that window, and clicking in a blank space will return you to the last window you were viewing. If you find yourself with a lot of windowed apps running all the time, this is a great time-saver.
As a bonus, while in overview mode you can type to filter what you're seeing. For example, typing "Google" will only show windows with the word Google in the title.
See all of your keyboard shortcuts
See all of your keyboard shortcuts
Source: Android Central
By now you know that Chrome OS is full of handy keyboard shortcuts for things like reloading a page or going to your home page in the browser. In fact, there are so many it's almost impossible to keep track of them all. Finding out just what you can do so you know which ones to remember is easy.
Press Ctrl + Alt + ? and you'll see an overlay of the keyboard with all the key functions and shortcuts. Soon you'll be a pro and Shift + Alt + L-ing and Alt + Shift + B-ing all over the place.
See a list of more short cuts Click Here
Use an SD card for extra storage
Use an SD card for extra storage
Source: Android Central
Most Chromebooks offer an SD card slot of some kind — be it MicroSD or standard. While the SD card slot is useful for transferring pictures off of your camera and getting them up to Google Drive or moving files between computers, for many people it may be most useful as semi-permanent external storage.
Because you'll often have no more than 32GB of internal storage (unless you feel like upgrading that yourself) on your Chromebook, you may find yourself wanting more. Pop a 64GB SD card into your Chromebook and use it just like you would the local or Google Drive storage. The SD card shows up in the Files app just like another folder, where you can use it any way you'd like.
Share your Chromebook — safely
Share your Chromebook — safely
Source: Android Central
When you first set up your Chromebook it feels like it's just locked to your own personal Google account, but one of the perks of Chrome OS is the ability for any machine to work with any Google account. When you're on the lock screen of your Chromebook, you can click "Sign out" in the bottom left corner and let someone else sign in with their own Google account. They won't have access to your main account, and all of their previous activity on any other Chrome device will be set up on this new machine in its own profile.
If you just want to hand your Chromebook to someone else for a quick bit of research or something simple, use the guest mode from the lock screen. Nothing done in the guest mode will be tied to your Google account, and everything will be completely erased as soon as the guest account signs out.
If you'd prefer to lock down your Chromebook so only specific people (or just you) can sign in, head into the settings menu, and under the Users area, you can restrict sign-in on the device to only specific accounts.
Do a barrel roll
Do a barrel roll
Source: Android Central
This one serves no purpose except to have fun. Open a window or two on your Chromebook and press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Reload.
All work and no play something something.
Take a screenshot
Take a screenshot
Source: Android Central
You can take a screenshot on a Chromebook just as easily as you can on any other computer. Whether you need to save a piece of information for reference or just need to help someone out by showing something visually, it's extremely simple. Hold the control key and hit the task switching key []]] to capture the screen.
You'll get a desktop notification to click and view the screenshot, or you can always find it later by opening the Files app.
See all of your nerdy system info
See all of your nerdy system info
Source: Android Central
In the Omnibox, type chrome://system to see a GUI filled with system information. You'll find everything there is to know about your CPU, your memory, your current X-session and more here. It's all laid out in an easy-to-read fashion, and you'll know everything there is to know about your Chromebook's insides.
We can't promise you'll understand everything you see in there, but whatever you need (or want) to know is given to you. Since it opens in a browser tab, searching Google for the parts you don't understand is easy!
If you'd rather see things in a graphical interface, you can install the Cog System Info Viewer Chrome app by François Beaufort
Use the Tools
Use the Tools
Chromebooks are designed for Google, so it is wise to use the company’s applications to their fullest. Docs is great for word processing, but it also allows users to share and collaborate on their files for group work. New applications this year give students the ability to search the web without leaving their current file. The Draw application allows students to add graphics to their work, increasing engagement for visual learners. Add important reminders and assignment due dates to Calendar so everyone gets reminders and notifications for all of their classes. Let your students share their work on a large scale using Blogger or Google Sites.
Also look at the apps available on Google Play for Education. These apps provide engaging educational experiences and enhance the capabilities of Chromebooks.
Set Students up for Success
Set Students up for Success
Scaffolding is important when implementing any new technology, and providing age-appropriate instructions will ensure that every student is able to perform the work teachers are asking them to do. When giving Chromebooks to elementary students, use color-coding and visuals to help them remember login procedures. You can also adapt and color-code the keyboard shortcut resource to help students remember which shortcuts work for each tool.
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