Day 128 - Chrome Extensions – Getting More Out of Chrome - Diana Marcus - BPS Mobile Learning Coach

This post originally appeared on the blog of Ms. Marcus

Chrome extensions can make your browsing and use of Google Apps easier and more productive.  Some extensions appear in the toolbar to the right of the address bar, waiting for you to select them.  Others work in the background and are activated when you need them or are working in a particular application such as Google Docs.

The toolbar for my school account includes a quick view of my calendar (I have 37 minutes until my next appointment!), Clearly and Readability for web reading that’s easier on my eyes, Evernote and Google Drive web clippers, Snaggit and “Explain and Send Screenshots” for grabbing and annotating quick screenshots, Google Cast for when I want to send my screen or YouTube videos to the TV, and URL shorteners from Google and bit.ly.

See below for instructions on how to add Chrome extensions on a Chromebook.  For a one-page reference sheet, go to http://goo.gl/qA2IfO or click here.  On Macs and PC’s, skip to the link for the Chrome web store or use the triple-bar drop-down menu at the upper right corner of your Chrome browser window, select More Tools / Extensions and scroll to the bottom for a link to the Chrome store.

As always, you can set up a time for me to work with you on Google Apps for Education, integrating the use of technology into your classroom teaching and learning, workflow/productivity solutions, and more.  Just drop me a line at marcus@bpsk12.org or book an appointment using the Book Now link in the sidebar.

If you are working on a Chromebook, select the App Launcher (lower left tool bar)

Look for and click the Chrome Web Store icon.

Or, go to https://chrome.google.com/webstore

Search for the name or type of extension or app you need.  To edit MS Office files in their native format on a Mac or PC, try adding Office Editing for Docs, Sheets, and Slides which is pre-installed for those elementary teachers using the new Chromebooks.

Select the extension or app you want by clicking the blue button and follow the directions to approve installation.  Your extension should be enabled automatically and available when you reopen Chrome.

You can manage your extensions by clicking the menu  at the top right of your Chrome screen, selecting “More Tools” and then “Extensions.”