Chrome is an incredibly useful browser. Make the most of it with these additions.
What are they?
Extensions are installed into your Chrome browser & appear at the top right next to the omnibox (where you type in the web address). Some, like AdBlock or Grammarly, work constantly in the background. Others, like goo.gl URL shortener, work when you click on them. They look like this:
Apps appear in the Apps page. They are programs you can access from the browser by clicking on the multicolored waffle in the top left of your browser.
My Favorites for Teachers & Students
Chrome Web Store: This is where you can find and download/install apps or extensions. I always set it to filter to only get free ones. AdBlock: This free extension helps block ads and malware - even those on YouTube. Definitely a good idea. CiteThisForMe: A nice little extension whenever you are doing research online. When you find a website you want to use as a source, click the extension & it pops up with the correct citation - APA, Chicago, Harvard or MLA. You can also attach quotes & have it add it all to an ongoing bibliography. SO EASY! Extensity: Once you start playing with extensions, you'll probably get carried away. The problem is, the extensions do make your browser slower. So, get Extensity to easily turn on and turn off your extensions, so you only have those you need and your browser works faster. (Ten is about the max you want running at a time.) You can also reach your Apps here, without going to the Apps page. Goo.gl URL Shortener: If you share websites a lot, use this to make the URL shorter (duh). It also creates a QR code if you want. When you are on the website you like, click this extension and it'll pop up the shortened URL. Google Dictionary: A free simple tool for finding the definition of a word without opening a new tab to do a Google search. Just click on the extension, then type in the word or highlight it on your screen. Hit 'search' to get the definition and hear it pronounced. Grammarly: If your spelling or grammar when you type isn't the greatest, install this free extension. It will check anything you type in Chrome (like emails and forms) for spelling and grammar. Nimbus Screenshot: This app lets you capture images from your screen easily. You can select from any of your open tabs, and select either the entire screen or whatever specific part you want, then save it to your computer. Screencastify: If you like the idea of making screencasts (videos of your screen with you talking over it with a microphone - as when people make screencasts of them playing a game online), this will do it simply. It is an extension, so just click on the logo when you want to make your recording. The downside with the free version is that you will have to use an online converter to change it into a file you can use with Media Player. Writing Navigator: If your students need help organizing their writing, this is a great program. They create a free account, then can access it online or as an app on iPad/Chromebook/Google. It guides you through four parts of writing: planning, drafting, revising and publishing. It even helps with citations! |