The Chromebook Classroom Podcast 3n3v

As part of my daily routine, I scan dozens of blogs, visit a handful of Facebook groups, and skim through Twitter. The goal: find the most helpful resources, tools, and articles that I can share with my teacher friends (that’s you!). Here are my favorite links for April 2025 Custom Reading Content for Read Along - Teachers in EDU Plus domains can now custom content to Read Along. This means you can provide students with reading for your own stories, articles, and assignments. Google Vids Education Film Festival - teachers can submit their Google Vid creation to be featured in a Google For Education blog post. Submission deadline is May 15, 2025. Google Vids is available for EDU Plus and Teaching&Learning domains.  New sidebar menu for Google Slides - this handy menu provides quick access to templates, building blocks, and other features, based on your Google license.  Clone yourself in minutes - my latest YouTube video discusses three ways to use video in your classroom. It’s not as hard as you might think! 5 end of year project ideas - I know it's hard to believe, but the end of the school year is not far away. Take some time to plan an end-of-year project to help students reflect on their learning Audio Overview for Gemini (and docs!) - This popular feature first appeared in NotebookLM, but is now available in Gemini as well. It is especially useful when using the “deep research” model. Audio overviews for Google Docs is coming soon.  Canvas for Gemini - When working on longer, complex writing projects, “Canvas” makes it easier to use Gemini as a co-writer. This is a great tool to use when developing lesson plans or assignments.  5 advanced Gemini features - Google has added a LOT of impressive features to Gemini. If you aren’t using these, you are missing out!  A Classroom Teacher’s take on AI - Blake Harvard, HS social studies teacher from Madison Alabama, shares his honest thoughts on the incursion of AI in education.   uBlock Origin Lite - you may have noticed that some of your Chrome extensions are no longer available including some popular ad-blockers. uBlock Lite is an alternative that will work, although not quite as well as the original.  ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

This month, we're taking a look back at some of the big updates, developments, and edTech trends from 2024. We'll also peer into the crystal ball to consider what might be on the horizon for 2025. Episode Sponsor: Logitech for Education  Logitech Education is your partner in innovation for the classroom. Logitech designs high quality hardware including headsets, microphones and cameras that are used in classrooms around the world. You can view these best in class products including the Zone learn wired headset by visiting logitech.com/education.  Tend 1: classroom specific AI tools for teachers Trend 2: Improvements in AI image generation Trend 3: Google Gemini expands and improves Trend 4: NotebookLM blows us away!  Trend 5: AI detection debate Trend 6: Chromebook PLUS devices for teachers Trend 7: gets better Trend 8: Google Drive updates Trend 9: Google Classroom Updates Trend 10: Goodbye Jamboard, Hello Vids  Was education improved in 2024?  Final thoughts and resources Show notes for this episode: https://www.chrmbook.com/s9e5/ ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

Happy Thanksgiving friends! I'm grateful that you have chosen to journey through the world of edTech with me! As a small thank you, I am offering a special sale! Anyone who s for my winter Google Certification Academy between now and December 15 will get free access to my Wednesday Webinar program ($99 value). Click here to ! Episode Sponsor: Logitech for Education Logitech Education is your partner in innovation for the classroom. Logitech designs high quality hardware including headsets, microphones and cameras that are used in classrooms around the world. You can view these best in class products including the Zone learn wired headset by visiting logitech.com/education. Here are my favorite updates for November 2024: New templates for Google Slides Essay writing tips from OpenAI New buildikng block templates for Docs Google Vids for EDU Plus Gemini for iPhone Scholar & Arts & Culture celebrate milestones Machine learning crash course How to organize a complex document Figjam gratefulness wall Thankfulness turkey ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

Happy fall, friends! Sip on some cider or your favorite pumpkin flavored drink while we review Google updates, classroom ideas, and news stories for the month of October. 🍁🎃 ***Episode Sponsor: @vizor-cloud for Chromebooks*** Track your devices, repairs, loaners, and more with VIZOR's best-in-class asset management system. It's not too late to get started: http://vizor.cloud/cbc All of the resources mentioned in this episode are available here: https://www.chrmbook.com/s9e3/ Episode Topics: 0:00 Intro 2:00 Gemini for Teens  3:28 Star rating for Google Forms  4:55 Tabs for Google Docs  6:10 Cover image for Google Docs  8:00 Gemini for Google Classroom 11:26 Parents sue school over school discipline over AI usage  15:00 Pumpkin carving with Google Slides 17:10 The museum of frights featuring  @googleartsculture  18:30 Halloween Choice board  19:30 Figurative language + AI images ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

Every month I try to summarize a few important updates and share some new tools and resources you can use in your classroom. Let's see what's happening for the month of September! ***Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks*** Track your devices, repairs, loaners, and more with VIZOR's best-in-class asset management system. It's not too late to get started: http://vizor.cloud/cbc All of the resources mentioned in this episode are available here: https://www.chrmbook.com/s9e2/ Table of Contents: 0:00 Intro  2:15 Manage your Chromebooks with VIZOR 4:15 Data protections for Google Gemini 7:00 AI training for teachers & students 8:40 Enhance your Gemini experience with Gems 13:17 NotbookLM adds audio summaries 19:50 Google Docs has tabs  25:13 Google Classroom s student groups 28:40 First impressions of Google Vids 33:30 Jamboard is going away 35:50 GenType (via Jeremy Badiner) 38:40 Gear Sketch (via Brad Dale) Additional links and resources: Blog post with links to all of the above updates: https://www.chrmbook.com/s9e2/ Get the EDU update delivered to your inbox each month: chrm.tech/update  ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

The beginning of a new school year is both exciting and challenging. There is a lot to look forward to and a lot to get ready for! In my 17 years working in education, I’ve learned some things and created some classroom templates that help me get the year started. Today I’m sharing those resources with you. 👉 If you are feeling overwhelmed, I hope these classroom templates will bring you some peace and confidence. 👉 If you are excited about the possibilities of a new school year, I hope these classroom templates will inspire you with some new ideas. Google classroom checklist for teachers Student skills checklist Classroom resource template Chrome extensions for students Chrome extensions for teachers Google Classroom requirements Student Chromebook agreement AI and plagiarism policy Google Classroom checklist for teachers Classroom resource template Free time activity template Parent log Peer editing practice Google Classroom quiz Selfie card lesson All of the resources mentioned in this video are available here: https://www.chrmbook.com/back-to-school-survival-kit-13-classroom-templates-every-teacher-needs/  ***Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks*** Track your devices, repairs, loaners, and more with VIZOR's best-in-class asset management system. It's not too late to get started: http://vizor.cloud/cbc  ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

We're at the peak of summer, but the EDU updates don't stop! Here's a rundown on some important updates, changes, and ideas for you to consider as you sit poolside or enjoy friends and family. As part of my daily routine, I scan dozens of blogs, visit a handful of Facebook groups, and skim through Twitter. ***Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks*** Track your devices, repairs, loaners, and more with VIZOR's best-in-class asset management system. Schedule a demo TODAY and beat the summer rush! Use this exclusive link to save 20% off your first year: http://vizor.cloud/cbc Here are my favorite links for July 2024: Ask Gemini about documents and emails Google Vids in Beta Can you spot the AI image?  Wednesday Webinars are back for 2024-25 eSignatures in Google Docs Pre-configure Google Meet from Calendar LaCrOS is dead World Emoji day Great stuff from Figma The Art of Online Writing (book review) ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

June 24 marks the start of the 2024 ISTE conference, and Google is making a big splash by announcing lots of cool updates and new features for the 2024-25 school year! me on this episode to explore the latest updates to Google Classroom, Chromebooks, Gemini, Google Drive, and more! ***Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks*** Track your devices, repairs, loaners, and more with VIZOR's best-in-class asset management system. Schedule a demo TODAY and beat the summer rush! Use this exclusive link to save 20% off your first year: http://vizor.cloud/cbc ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

Chris Painter is my guest for this episode of the podcast. Chris is the technology director for Blackford County Schools in Hartford City, Indiana which as a fleet of 1,800 devices. During our conversation Chris shares his best practices and tips for collecting, inventorying, and repairing a Chromebook fleet and getting them ready for the new school year. Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks VIZOR provides Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. Get 20% off your first year when you schedule a no-obligation demo. Show notes and links: chrmbook.com/s8e14/ ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

Today Google announced a new package of AI tools specifically designed teachers and school leader. These tools combine the power of Google Gemini with data privacy protections and unique features for teachers. ing me to discuss Gemini for Education is Vivek Chachcha, product manager for AI tools within Google Workspace for Education. Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks VIZOR provides Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. Get 20% off your first year when you schedule a no-obligation demo. Episode Shownotes and links: http://chrmbook.com/s8e13/ ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

As part of my daily routine, I scan dozens of blogs, visit a handful of Facebook groups and skim through Twitter. The goal: find the most helpful resources, tools, and articles that I can share with my teacher friends (that’s you!) Here are my favorite links and updates for April 2024: http://chrmbook.com/s8e12/ ***Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks*** Track your devices, repairs, loaners, and more with VIZOR's best-in-class asset management system. Schedule a demo TODAY and beat the summer rush! Use this exclusive link to save 20% off your first year: http://vizor.cloud/cbc Congrats to the newest Google Innovators Google Vids Tabs for Google Docs Figjam on Google Meet Screens Dark mode for Google Drive Find a Chromebook through the log event search Multi- approvals 5 ways to organize your digital life with AI Do AI detectors work? Not enough data for AI? ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

Sadly, Google Podcast has been discontinued by Google as of April 2, 2024. Google Podcast was a simple, clean podcast player that did exactly what it was designed to do: play podcasts. Let's see if we can find a suitable alternative. ----------------------------- EPISODE SPONSOR: VIZOR for Chromebooks VIZOR simplifies the task of managing Chromebooks by integrating the Google Console and your SIS so that you can instantly monitor the health and status of your fleet of devices. Visit http://vizor.cloud/cbc to learn more! ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning in to the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

As part of my daily routine, I scan dozens of blogs, visit a handful of Facebook groups and skim through Twitter. The goal: find the most helpful resources, tools, and articles that I can share with my teacher friends (that’s you!) ***EPISODE SPONSOR*** Are you interested in becoming a Google Certified Trainer? me for the very first "Google Trainer Academy" taking place April 16-May 14, 2024. This virtual event will guide you through the process of becoming a certified trainer AND exploring how you can earn a secondary income by leveraging your expertise. Visit GoogleTrainerAcademy.com to learn more.  Here are 10 updates for March 2024: Improved video playback in Google Drive Google is now offering a limited AI use plan Migrate Email between Google Domains Remove background from Slides AI image generation (with text!) Visit a class setup guide Tips for using AI responsibly Chromebook prank guide The explore tool is no more Chromebook features for teachers ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show! 

As part of my daily routine, I scan dozens of blogs, visit a handful of Facebook groups, and skim through Twitter. The goal: find the most helpful resources, tools, and articles that I can share with my teacher friends (that’s you!). ***Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks*** Track your devices, repairs, loaners, and more with VIZOR's best-in-class asset management system. Schedule a demo TODAY and beat the summer rush! Use this exclusive link to save 20% off your first year: http://vizor.cloud/cbc Here are my favorite links for February 2024:  Bard is now Gemini​ ​ Beta Test Google’s AI for Education tools ​ New features announced at BETT Sort, filter, and manage comments​ in Docs ​ New AI features for the Chrome browser Improvements to Appointment Schedules​ Updates for Google Meet Google Classroom Templates ​ New Book: EDU Protocols for Young Learners​ Art Remix powered by AI Subscribe to the Google EDU Update and get these monthly updates delivered right to your inbox: chrm.tech/update ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

As part of my daily routine, I scan dozens of blogs, visit a handful of Facebook groups and skim through Twitter. The goal: find the most helpful resources, tools, and articles that I can share with my teacher friends (that’s you!) ***Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks*** Save 20% off your first year with VIZOR and get a FREE Chromecast with Cast when you schedule a demo before the end of January, 2024: http://vizor.cloud/cbc January 2024 Updates: Sowash family Euro venture! Change your extension policy Convert your form into a practice set 2024 Google Innovator Academy dates ChromeOS certification exam (still free!) Tech management for teachers Right click QR code reader (extension) Inspect writing with Brisk teaching 5 AI extensions for teachers 10. 10 data privacy lessons Visit the show notes to get all of the links and resources that were mentioned: http://chrmbook.com/s8e8 ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

I read 21 books this last year. Most were pretty good, a few were pretty bad!  I enjoy hearing what others are reading and frequently add their recommendations to my list, so I thought I would share some of my favorites with you to help jump start your 2024 reading list. Additional Resources:  All 21 books on Amazon My blog post with a short summary of all 21 books WATCH this episode on YouTube Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks: save 20% off your first year and get a FREE Chromecast with Cast when you schedule a demo before the end of January, 2024: http://vizor.cloud/cbc ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

As part of my daily routine, I scan dozens of blogs, visit a handful of Facebook groups and skim through Twitter. The goal: find the most helpful resources, tools, and articles that I can share with my teacher friends (that’s you!) ***Episode Sponsor*** VIZOR for Chromebooks: save 20% off your first year and get a FREE Chromecast with Cast when you schedule a demo before the end of January, 2024: http://vizor.cloud/cbc December 2023 Updates: Excuse assignments in Google Classroom Add questions to YouTube Videos Google Vault adds for Calendar Record using Google Slides Convert your Jamboard files to Figjam Get Google Certified in 2024! NotebookLM by Google Sample AI policies Holiday choice board for elementary students Lock up the presents! Visit the show notes to get all of the links and resources that were mentioned: http://chrmbook.com/s8e6 ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

As part of my daily routine, I scan dozens of blogs, visit a handful of Facebook groups, and skim through Twitter. The goal: find the most helpful resources, tools, and articles that I can share with my teacher friends (that’s you!). *** Episode Sponsor: The Google Certification Academy. Become a Google Certified Educator in 2024. the waitlist so you don't miss out: gEducator.com *** 10 links for November 2023:  Book an appointment from Gmail Add GIFs and stickers to Google Slides Google Classroom analytics YouTube for Education is broken New ratings smartchip for Google Sheets Is this image real? Pocket Chrome extension Langage is the new paintbrush Create your personal AI teacher's assistant AI playbook for Google Sheets Visit the show notes to get all of the links and resources that were mentioned: http://chrmbook.com/s8e5 -----------------------------  Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!  

As part of my daily routine, I scan dozens of blogs, visit a handful of Facebook groups, and skim through Twitter. The goal: find the most helpful resources, tools, and articles that I can share with my teacher friends (that’s you!). ** Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks ** VIZOR simplifies the process of asset management, device repairs, and financial reporting from a single system that integrates with the Google console and your student information system. 👉 http://vizor.cloud/cbc Here are my favorite links for October 2023:  Google Champions Symposium recap "Plus" Chromebooks for teachers? So long, Jamboard "Activity" for Google Drive Building blocks on top in Docs Improved appointment scheduling Schedule a meeting with Gmail Google Slides pumpkin carving Live pointers in Google Slides MagicSchool.ai Visit the show notes to get all of the links and resources that were mentioned: http://chrmbook.com/s8e4 ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!    

Today Google made a shocking announcement related to Google Jamboard. Listen to learn more and get my reaction to this surprising announcement. Episode Sponsor: VIZOR Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. Get 20% off your first year when you schedule a no-obligation demo. ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the Chromebook Classroom Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!