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.

Tuesday Tidbits: Chrome Extensions

Google Chrome Extensions are a great way to utilize the web and save time based on what task you are trying to complete. Extensions are browser extensions that modify the Google Chrome browser. These extensions are written using web technologies like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. Google Chrome Extensions are downloadable through the Chrome Web Store. These extensions allow for users to get information quickly, be notified in a timely manner, and do things with fewer clicks.

Below you will find a list of extensions I learned about from the TCEA TechNotes along with some of my favorite extensions.

Announcify: Text to speech is easy with Announcify. It converts web articles into speech, opens them in a new tab, and reads without having to select any text. The key feature is that it blurs out the text that is not being read, making it easy to track while listening. Options for the extension include adjusting speech volume, pitch, and rate.

Clearly:  Clearly eliminates all distractions from your online reading experience, and even allows you to browse multi-page articles in one, seamless view. Connect Clearly to your Evernote account to clip and sync articles, automatically tag articles sent to Evernote, text to speech, add annotations, or highlight text and it updates in Evernote.

Google Voice Search: Search the web hands free when using Google Chrome by saying "OK, Google" and then ask your question. This is a great feature for elementary students who may not be able to spell at this time. The microphone appears in the search box when you have Google Search open; computer must have microphone to work.

OneTab:  Whenever you find yourself with too many tabs, click the OneTab icon to convert all of your tabs into a list. When you need to access the tabs again, you can either restore them individually or all at once. When tabs are in the OneTab list, you save up to 95% of memory because reduced the number of tabs open.

Pocket:  When you find something on the web that you want to view later, put it in Pocket. It automatically syncs to your phone, tablet or computer so you can view it at any time. Features: one-click saving of any page, right-click menu item to save any link, quickly add tags, and syncs across all devices.

Save to Google Drive: Save web content or browser screenshots directly to your Google Drive. The extensions give users the right-click feature/save to Google Drive. You can automatically convert Microsoft Office files or comma separated files to Google Docs format.

Screen Capture (by Google): Use this extension to capture visible content of a tab, a region of a web page, or the whole page as a PNG image. You can also edit your captured image before saving it as a PNG image. Highlighting, redacting and adding text are supported.

JUST FOR FUN:

Santa Tracker:  Before Santa takes off on Christmas Eve, his elves have cooked up a countdown timer to keep precise track of his departure. You can play around with his blimp, elf bus, and write messages on a frosty browser window.

Chrome Extensions and Apps Just for Educators

Having a job that requires many hours online, I've been reluctant to switch from Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox to Chrome browser. However, I've come across enough extensions and apps to make switch. The additions really make the use of the internet faster and more efficient. I will share a list of extensions and apps that have made a difference in my work day. First, let me describe the difference between a Google Extension and a Google App.

Google Extensions are extra features and functionality that you can easily add to Google Chrome. By using extensions, you can customize Google Chrome with features you like, while keeping your browser free of things that you don't use. Extensions are added to the upper right side of your URL bar. See example below:

 

Google Apps are web apps that are designed to be entirely used within the browser located on your Chrome dashboard. The great part of installing applications is that when you sign into Google on any computer your applications will follow. See picture example below:

My Favorite Google Chrome Extensions and Applications:

Google Apps and Extensions from Kristie Johnson