Extensions, Add-Ons and Apps, Oh My! How to Utilize Google
in Your Classroom
Google Apps for Education has transformed the way we teach and communicate inside and outside of the classroom. Through tools like Google Drive,Google Hangouts, Google Earth and Blogger, we can create authentic learning experiences for our students more than ever by promoting collaboration and helping them access their work anywhere and anytime.
Google Chrome also has a library of special tools you can access through the browser called Apps, Extensions and Add-ons that can make your life in the classroom easier. Plus, when you use Chrome, all of the apps, extensions and web history are stored in the cloud, so wherever you login, they are literally at your fingertips.
Google Extensions are mini programs that modify and enhance the functionality of the the Google Chrome browser. They extend Google Chrome's abilities by adding a button next to the address bar, which applies to the current website.
Add-ons are extra features within Google Drive that enhance its functions. For example, teachers can give ongoing and simultaneous feedback by using a spreadsheet add-on like Doctopus, a task-saving add-on that creates folders for students’ work and sends an email directly to students with their grade.Kaizena for Google Docs allows you to track and rate feedback and add voice comments, while Flubaroo works great with Google Sheets to automatically grade quizzes and tests through forms.
Google Chrome Apps are like desktop software programs you install on your computer, except that you use them directly within your browser.