Chrome Apps and Extensions for Education
Chrome apps and extensions run in the Chrome browser, providing you and students many great tools. For anyone using Chromebooks on our domain, we can set it up so the apps and extensions install automatically as soon as users log in.
For this PD session, you'll have a chance to explore some apps or extensions related to the subjects you teach. This is a very open ended session. I figure if you worked through all the sessions up until this point, you are easily capable to learn what you need on your own!
Before jumping into examples, here are a few questions you might have.
What's the difference between an app and an extension?
How do I install the apps and extensions?
First you will find and install apps and extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Just click that link to visit that site.
As you can see in the picture below, you will search in the search bar on the left. Click on apps and extensions that show up to get more information.
If you click the + button on the right of an app or extension you can install it. Most apps are free. If it's not free, don't bother with it for now. The lakevillefalcons Google accounts are not set up for purchasing anything.
For this PD session, you'll have a chance to explore some apps or extensions related to the subjects you teach. This is a very open ended session. I figure if you worked through all the sessions up until this point, you are easily capable to learn what you need on your own!
Before jumping into examples, here are a few questions you might have.
What's the difference between an app and an extension?
- Apps are like programs that run in Chrome. Many times they are really just websites or online services, but they work with your Google account for quick, simple access.
- Extensions can be thought of as tools you'd use when browsing the web, but not something everyone would find useful. Instead of having all possible tools buried in menus when most people don't need all of them, you can add only the tools you like.
How do I install the apps and extensions?
First you will find and install apps and extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Just click that link to visit that site.
As you can see in the picture below, you will search in the search bar on the left. Click on apps and extensions that show up to get more information.
If you click the + button on the right of an app or extension you can install it. Most apps are free. If it's not free, don't bother with it for now. The lakevillefalcons Google accounts are not set up for purchasing anything.
How do I access or use the apps and extensions after I install them?
To locate any apps you have already installed, open a new tab in Chrome. You'll see the Apps icon in the upper left. Click that and it will open a page like the one below.
Click the arrows on the sides or the bars at the bottom of the page (shown in the picture below) to scroll through your pages of apps.
Notice that you have already looked at several apps, since Drive, Google Docs, and even YouTube are considered apps.
Just click on an app's icon to open it.
To locate any apps you have already installed, open a new tab in Chrome. You'll see the Apps icon in the upper left. Click that and it will open a page like the one below.
Click the arrows on the sides or the bars at the bottom of the page (shown in the picture below) to scroll through your pages of apps.
Notice that you have already looked at several apps, since Drive, Google Docs, and even YouTube are considered apps.
Just click on an app's icon to open it.
Extensions usually show up in the upper right of your browser window, next to the address bar. You can click them to use their functions. Many times settings for extensions can be changed by right-clicking on them.
Which apps or extensions should I start with?
It will depend on your class and the projects you want to do. For now, read the information below for a subject you will be teaching. Search for the apps and extensions in the Chrome Web Store, install them and explore the features. Also be sure to look over the list under Any Subject.
If you see something you would like students to use, remember that we can have it automatically install on the Chromebooks when the students sign in on them.
Note: This list is a work in progress. I'll add to it as I get recommendations. Also, I am not linking directly to the apps and extensions because I want you to practice searching the Chrome Web Store.
Math
Start by installing Geogebra. It is a great app for making constructions or models to explore concepts. The wiki has a lot of resources to help you get started. Search YouTube for tutorials or examples as well.
And one person suggested the Desmos Graphing Calculator to me. I haven't used it myself, but the reviews look very positive.
ELA
We have already looked at the most useful app for ELA - Google Docs! The sharing, research and comment tools are great for working through the writing process. Before searching the Chrome Web Store, see these blog posts about using these tools in the ELA classroom.
Here are three extensions you might want to evaluate:
Science
Biodigital Human is an excellent virtual model of a human body. Biology Pop, 3D Solar System Simulator and Useful Periodic Table have some good reviews from users.
Social Studies
See Time Maps: World History Atlas as one starting point to explore.
You will probably have the best luck by searching for specific topics in your classes. Some study apps with good reviews came up when I searched for specific topics like World War I or Civil War.
Art
Any serious image creation and editing will probably be best on a computer with a dedicated graphics program, but Pixlr Editor and Pixlr Express are my favorites for quick online editing. Based on some reviews, deviantART and Inkscape (which handles vector graphics) look like they're worth checking out too.
Any Subject
Which apps or extensions should I start with?
It will depend on your class and the projects you want to do. For now, read the information below for a subject you will be teaching. Search for the apps and extensions in the Chrome Web Store, install them and explore the features. Also be sure to look over the list under Any Subject.
If you see something you would like students to use, remember that we can have it automatically install on the Chromebooks when the students sign in on them.
Note: This list is a work in progress. I'll add to it as I get recommendations. Also, I am not linking directly to the apps and extensions because I want you to practice searching the Chrome Web Store.
Math
Start by installing Geogebra. It is a great app for making constructions or models to explore concepts. The wiki has a lot of resources to help you get started. Search YouTube for tutorials or examples as well.
And one person suggested the Desmos Graphing Calculator to me. I haven't used it myself, but the reviews look very positive.
ELA
We have already looked at the most useful app for ELA - Google Docs! The sharing, research and comment tools are great for working through the writing process. Before searching the Chrome Web Store, see these blog posts about using these tools in the ELA classroom.
- Tips for drafts and peer editing using Google Docs
- More tips and a video
- Using the new editing tools for peer comments in the New Google Drive
- Six features in Google Docs to support collaborative writing
Here are three extensions you might want to evaluate:
- Google Dictionary - When browsing a webpage, double click a word and the definition will appear. Many words include a text-to-speech function too, so students can hear how the word sounds.
- Copy All URLs - This handy tool will copy the URL of all open tabs. It's great for recording useful sites when researching. Just click the extension and pick copy. You can paste all the URLs into a document so you can return to them later. If you select paste instead, it opens all tabs that you have copied.
- Diigo Web - This tool for recording URLs and highlighting and recording parts of webpages has good reviews.
Science
Biodigital Human is an excellent virtual model of a human body. Biology Pop, 3D Solar System Simulator and Useful Periodic Table have some good reviews from users.
Social Studies
See Time Maps: World History Atlas as one starting point to explore.
You will probably have the best luck by searching for specific topics in your classes. Some study apps with good reviews came up when I searched for specific topics like World War I or Civil War.
Art
Any serious image creation and editing will probably be best on a computer with a dedicated graphics program, but Pixlr Editor and Pixlr Express are my favorites for quick online editing. Based on some reviews, deviantART and Inkscape (which handles vector graphics) look like they're worth checking out too.
Any Subject
- Quizlet and StudyStack- Highly recommended tools for creating or finding sets of virtual flashcards.
- WeVideo - My go-to app for free, online video creation. I haven't had a lot of luck with editing full video on the Chromebooks, but for simple photo slideshows it is great.
- Cite This For Me - Creates a citation for any webpage that you can paste into a document.