Confession #4 - Google Chrome Saved My Life

It's true...Google Chrome saved my life because it gave me back time and energy I was losing on other web browsers. We live in a fast-paced, busy world. So when I switch from Safari (on my home computer) and Firefox and Internet Explorer (on my work computer), I felt like life slowed down a bit for me. At home, we have only Apple computers. At work, I use a PC. Using the internet was so frustrating for me because I had to remember what bookmarks I had saved and where I saved them, etc. Then I switched to Google Chrome Browser and things began to change. Here are some key features that caused me to drop Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Syncs Across All Devices
There is a single login with Google Chrome. Once you are logged in all your bookmarks, extensions, apps, passwords (not that I save passwords automatically...I'd rather not do that on a computer) appear/save on all devices. No imports/exports of bookmarks is needed. If I bookmark a website at work it will also appear on my home computer. Let's be real. How many of us really finish our work at work? There is always that "one last thing" that I didn't get finished during the work hours and need to work on at home.

Chrome Extensions ROCK
I'm a huge fan of Chrome Extensions, those little extra features and functionality added to your web browser. I've said before that I'm a fan of the "one-click" button. If I have a task when using the internet and there is an extension that can let me perform that task in ONE click, then sign me up. Chrome Extensions serve many purposes like 1) making an article on the internet a PDF file without images or advertisements, 2) blocking inappropriate advertisements from websites, 3) splitting your screen into half, 4) shortening a long URL, or 5) summarizing an article for you. Here's a link to some of my favorite and most used Chrome Extensions.

Bookmark Naming with Icons
I have a million bookmarks. Well, maybe not a million, but I do have a ton websites that I bookmark. What I love about Google Chrome is that it allows you to skip "name the bookmark" and just use the icon that comes with the website. For instance, when I bookmarked Twitter, I did not have to keep the name "Twitter" on my bookmark bar. The Twitter bird icon appeared. By doing this I freed up room on my bookmark bar to add more bookmarks. Here's a sample of my bookmark bar. Maybe you recognize some of the icons.

Eduphoria, BlogLovin, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, MailChimp, ThingLink, etc

Chrome Extensions for Educators

Google Chrome is my favorite browser and once again I have found more Chrome Extensions that benefit the life of an educator. Just in case you are new to Chrome extensions let me clarify...Chrome extensions are small software programs that can modify and enhance the functionality of the Chrome browser. Once downloaded, extensions are added next to the URL window.  Below is an extensive list of my new favorites. For an ongoing list of Chrome Extensions, check out my Smore.

Turn Off the Lights
This extension allows to you blackout all information on a webpage except the video. This is a great extension when using YouTube in the classroom because the videos shown on the sidebar will be blacked out.

Magic Actions for YouTube
This extensions is great for YouTube videos. Features include videos played in HD, ads blocked, 1-click for cinema mode so the whole page is shaded. A great extension for educators using YouTube in the classroom.

Print Friendly
This extension takes any website and converts it to a PDF file. For educators this means you can take any article from the internet and convert it to a PDF in one click. Other features: change font size, delete text/unwanted ads/images.

Dot ePub
This extension takes any website and converts it an ePub book. Download webpages to any device: eReaders, tablets, smartphones, netbooks, desktop computers. Compatible with Kindle, iBooks, Nook, and many more.

ShortenMe
This extension instantly shortens links with goo.gl, copies them to your clipboard, and generates a QR code. By clicking on the QR code it will be copied to your clipboard. It's a great way to share websites with students via a shorten URL or a QR code.

Explain and Send Screenshots
This extension allows users to capture a webpage, write text on it, draw circles or arrows on it, and then share a direct link of the screenshot. Great for educators to use to annotate over websites that are used as tools in the classroom.

AdBlock Plus
This extension blocks annoying ads in YouTube, Facebook, banners, pop-ups and all obtrusive ads. Once enabled the user can see the number of ads blocked in the extension. Also the blocked ad leaves the screen white where an ad would normally be located.