The Chromebook
Why a Chromebook?
If we would have told you ten years ago that we would soon be discussing how to teach in a world where every student has a computer, you would have told us we were crazy! Now, with the advancement of educational technology, it is common for schools to have 30 - 500 Chromebooks in the building.
Watch this short introduction to the world of Chromebooks. What makes them so unique?
Why the Chrome Operating System?
This is by far the best description of WHY we are all switching to Chromebooks.
Well Done Google Chrome Channel
Chromebook Basics:
There are fundamental differences between your old laptop and the Chromebook.
The Keyboard
What's Missing?
Look closely at your keyboard. What is missing? On the Chromebook the DELETE and ALL CAPS buttons are missing as well as the PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN buttons. Also, the FUNCTION keys at the top are gone and have been replaced with what appears to be random symbols.
Special Keys:
Look at the top row of keys. Instead of the "F" keys, the Chromebook has a set of special keys.
Keyboard Shortcuts
There are MANY functions available on the keyboard if you just know where to look!
Click on CTRL, ALT, and ? at the same time and watch what appears!
<CTRL> + <ALT> + <?> will display the keyboard onto the Chromebook Screen. From here you can hit a few buttons and the shortcuts will appear.
The Chrome Browser
There are some really neat functions built into the Chrome Browser.
Did you lose your phone?
Did you close a window by accident?
Did you forget a password that was saved?
Do you need the task manager?
Steve Dotto with 8 Outstanding Chrome Tips
Thio Joe with 11 Hidden Chrome Features (You'll Wish You Knew About Sooner)
Quick Check:
See if you can answer the following questions now that you've completed some research about Chromebooks.
What keys are missing on the Chromebook Keyboard?
What keys are pressed in order to make the image of the shortcut keyboard appear on the Chromebook screen?
Oops! A student closed a window quickly as you walked into the classroom. How can you quickly re-open the window?
The Chrome Browser has saved your password for Twitter so long and you automatically are logged in. Specifically, where do you go inside of the Chrome Browser to find your password?
What is the difference between the Chromo OS and a Mac OS or a Windows OS?
What is the "Ashtray" on a Chromebook?
Where, on the desktop of a Chromebook, can you find all of the apps?
How can you add apps to the tray at the bottom of the desktop screen?
Apps VS. Extensions
Applications & Extensions add the "WOW" to your Chrome Browser. This applies to the use of the Chrome Browser in a Chromebook and on any other device.
What's the Difference?
Extensions are tools that run in the background and extend the function of your web browser. They work on all websites. An extension enhances the user experience and adds productivity to any website when using the Google Chrome browser. Extensions appear as little puzzle piece icons to the right of the address bar.
An Application (App) is similar to a link to a website. They open in a tab in your browser and are basically a link to an interactive application on the internet. Most of the apps require an internet connection.
Extensions
How do you get extensions?
You can go directly to the Chrome Web Store
or you can access extensions within your browser by clicking on the three lines to the top right of your browser (the "hamburger"). Scroll down to “More Tools” and choose “Extensions”. Your Extension page will open in a new tab. You can manage all extensions here. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "more extensions'. This will take you to the Chrome Web Store.
Why Extensions?
Remember when you had to buy the programs and install them from a disk? Now they are free!
One of the sad reactions when we find that Chromebooks only work with the internet is the feeling of loss that we have because we love the programs on our computers. We love Photoshop and all the other expensive programs that we used to purchase...
GOOD NEWS! Most of these programs have a FREE extension. The extension is a tiny add-on to Google Chrome that enhances your experience and greatly increases your productivity.
For example, the Read & Write Extension reads any text to you, gives definitions, and more! Do you ever have to read texts from your screen to your students? The Read & Write Extension will do this for you... FOR FREE!
Installing Extensions
Here's a video that will clearly explain the function of extensions. This video also includes safari and firefox. Thanks to Steve Dotto
Applications (Apps)
Applications are different from extensions. Applications are a programs that run in the Google Chrome browser that take you to another website. Apps require user interaction.
Apps are located on the Chrome desktop or through the "Apps" button on our browser. In the Web Store, Apps have full size icons.
Here are a few examples of Apps that are useful in education
3D Tin - 3D modeling right in your browser
Ajax Animator - web-based animation suite
Biodigital Human - 3D models of the human body
Connected Mind - create mind maps and store them to the cloud
Desmos Graphing Calculator - calculator for advanced math students
Go Animate - make creative videos
iStorybooks - free storybooks for young children
MindMup - collaborative mind mapping. Save to Google Drive or Dropbox
Murally - allows students to collaborate
Padlet - create a digital bulletin board with images, videos, documents, and text
Piktochart - create infographics
Pixlr - photo editor
QR Code Generator - create custom QR codes with colors, shapes and logos
Screenr - web-based screen recorder to create and share screencasts
Overview of Google Drive
Remember the days when the power would go out on your computer and you would lose EVERYTHING that you were working on?
Never again! Google Drive is cloud storage and automatically backs itself up as you work.
Google Drive lets you store your files on the cloud and access your files anywhere, anytime.
Documents
Presentations
Spreadsheets
Drawings
Form