No
trade is without proper tools the same is said of a successful teaching. For
those using Chrome as their preferred browser, you will find that there are
some great Google Chrome extension to enhance your teaching efforts.
What exactly is an extension?
An
extension is a tool runs within your Chrome browser. They are amazing little programs that add
functionality to the Chrome browser and enhance your browsing experience. Many
of the Google Chrome extensions can be very handy for teachers.
Why are extensions good for teachers?
Chrome
extensions make you a better teacher.
Anytime you can be more efficient; it makes you better at your job.
There are 100’s of extensions added to the Web Store every day. It’s advisable to install anything that
sounds useful. Once a month, look
through the ones on your toolbar, if you haven’t used it or don’t know what it
is, delete it. It’s that simple!
Following
are 5 Chrome extensions that will save teachers time and improve your teaching
experience. To add them to your browser, visit the Chrome Web Store.
1. Readability
This
extension makes any website or article instantly readable by stripping all the
things you don’t want to see, plainly and simply. You can copy the text, share
it, and resize to meet your needs with the comfy red couch icon of Readability.
2.
Screencastify Screen Recorder
Screencastify
is an extension that provides an easy way for users to record their computer
screen. You can record with or without audio and save the files directly to
your Google Drive. Not sure why or how you might use a screen recorder? Think
about how many times you’ve repeated the same directions over and over again.
Next time, simply record your computer screen and share the video with your students
via Drive or Classroom.
3. Grammarly
Spruce
up the written language with this awesome Chrome extension! Grammarly employs a
contextual spell checker that can detect incorrect use of commonly confused
words such as choose/chose, affect/effect, there/their/they’re, and many more.
It will also scan your text for proper use of more than 250 advanced grammar
rules, spanning everything from subject-verb agreement to dangling participles.
Grammarly even goes a step above by offering word choice suggestions to
strengthen your sentences. It is a must-have extension for teachers.
4.
Save to Google Drive
Use
this extension to save web content directly to Google Drive, which is sure to
be a time saver for teachers and students using Google Classroom.
5.
1-Click-Timer
What
teacher doesn’t need to set a timer for tasks?
This quick and easy timer is perfect for telling students they have 5
minutes to finish up the project they are working on. Click on the icon to the
right of the Omnibox and move the dial to the desired time.
BONUS EXTENSION
6. Save As PDF
This
extension allows to easily convert web pages to pdf so you can share with the
class or save for reference purpose. The toolbar button is updated after each
conversion. The available options include page size, page orientation, margins,
password protection, initial view, etc.
No
matter what you are looking for to extend Chromes functionality, you will be
sure to find an extension to do just that. Now, understand that there are still
many extensions be created and above is just a list of some of the excellent
Google Chrome Extensions for teaching.
