Explore every episode of the podcast The Chromebook Classroom Podcast

** Episode Sponsor: Google Trainer Academy: GoogleTrainerAcademy.com **

Over the past month I’ve been able to visit a half-dozen different schools across the US sharing tips and ideas for using AI in the classroom. While there are a LOT of AI tools available, there’s one that I think is at the top of the list: Google Gemini.

Gemini has become my go-to AI tool. It’s fast, flexible, safe, and free! Using Gemini with your school account means you get advanced features AND data privacy that’s not included with a lot of other applications (looking at you ChatGPT!).

If you haven’t used Gemini recently, take another look...there have been a LOT of update and several new features specifically designed for the classroom. Here are some of my favorite features and ideas...

Show notes and links: https://www.chrmbook.com/s9e9/

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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 you set up your classroom and get ready for a new crew of students, you might be thinking, "What's something new I can try this year?" Each year I select five strategies, tools, or ideas you can use to engage your students and shake things up a bit. These five tools and strategies are all about making your life easier and your students' learning more engaging. Let's dive in!

👉 EPISODE SPONSOR: Google Trainer Academy

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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 Chromebook Classroom podcast is back with a special episode recorded live from Google's Chicago offices with special guest Liz Bocci. This episode dives deep into our experience at the recent Google Champions Symposium, an exclusive gathering of Google for Education's top educators.

Episode Sponsor

Interested in becoming a Google Champion? Join me and a small group of educators starting October 9 to become a Google Certified Trainer! This LIVE virtual experience will help you assemble your trainer application and portfolio. Learn more: GoogleTrainerAcademy.com.

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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 for April 2025

1. Custom Reading Content for Read Along - Teachers in EDU Plus domains can now upload custom content to Read Along. This means you can provide students with reading support for your own stories, articles, and assignments.
2. 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. 
3. New sidebar menu for Google Slides - this handy menu provides quick access to templates, building blocks, and other features, based on your Google license. 
4. 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. 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
6. 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. 
7. 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. 
8. 5 advanced Gemini features - Google has added a LOT of impressive features to Gemini. If you aren’t using these, you are missing out! 
9. 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.  
10. 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. 

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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: Premium 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/

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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 registers 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 register!

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:

1. New templates for Google Slides
2. Essay writing tips from OpenAI
3. New buildikng block templates for Docs
4. Google Vids for EDU Plus
5. Gemini for iPhone
6. Scholar & Arts & Culture celebrate milestones
7. Machine learning crash course
8. How to organize a complex document
9. Figjam gratefulness wall
10. Thankfulness turkey

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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

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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 supports 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 

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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.

1. Google classroom checklist for teachers
2. Student skills checklist
3. Classroom resource template
4. Chrome extensions for students
5. Chrome extensions for teachers
6. Google Classroom requirements
7. Student Chromebook agreement
8. AI and plagiarism policy
9. Google Classroom checklist for teachers
10. Classroom resource template
11. Free time activity template
12. Parent contact log
13. Peer editing practice
14. Google Classroom quiz
15. 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 

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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:

1. Ask Gemini about documents and emails
2. Google Vids in Beta
3. Can you spot the AI image? 
4. Wednesday Webinars are back for 2024-25
5. eSignatures in Google Docs
6. Pre-configure Google Meet from Calendar
7. LaCrOS is dead
8. World Emoji day
9. Great stuff from Figma
10. The Art of Online Writing (book review)

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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! Join 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

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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/

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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.

Joining 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/

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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

1. Congrats to the newest Google Innovators
2. Google Vids
3. Tabs for Google Docs
4. Figjam on Google Meet Screens
5. Dark mode for Google Drive
6. Find a Chromebook through the log event search
7. Multi-admin approvals
8. 5 ways to organize your digital life with AI
9. Do AI detectors work?
10. Not enough data for AI?

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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.

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EPISODE SPONSOR: VIZOR for Chromebooks

VIZOR simplifies the task of managing Chromebooks by integrating the Google Admin 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!

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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? Join 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:

1. Improved video playback in Google Drive
2. Google is now offering a limited AI use plan
3. Migrate Email between Google Domains
4. Remove background from Slides
5. AI image generation (with text!)
6. Visit a class setup guide
7. Tips for using AI responsibly
8. Chromebook prank guide
9. The explore tool is no more
10. Chromebook features for teachers

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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:

1.  Bard is now Gemini​ ​
2. Beta Test Google’s AI for Education tools ​
3. New features announced at BETT
4. Sort, filter, and manage comments​ in Docs ​
5. New AI features for the Chrome browser
6. Improvements to Appointment Schedules​
7. Updates for Google Meet
8. Google Classroom Templates ​
9. New Book: EDU Protocols for Young Learners​
10. Art Remix powered by AI

Subscribe to the Google EDU Update and get these monthly updates delivered right to your inbox: chrm.tech/update

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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 moderator when you schedule a demo before the end of January, 2024: http://vizor.cloud/cbc

January 2024 Updates:

1. Sowash family Euro venture!
2. Change your extension policy
3. Convert your form into a practice set
4. 2024 Google Innovator Academy dates
5. ChromeOS certification exam (still free!)
6. Tech management for teachers
7. Right click QR code reader (extension)
8. Inspect writing with Brisk teaching
9. 5 AI extensions for teachers 10.
10. 10 data privacy lessons

Visit the show notes to get all of the links and resources that were mentioned: http://chrmbook.com/s8e8

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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 moderator when you schedule a demo before the end of January, 2024: http://vizor.cloud/cbc

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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 moderator when you schedule a demo before the end of January, 2024: http://vizor.cloud/cbc

December 2023 Updates:

1. Excuse assignments in Google Classroom
2. Add questions to YouTube Videos
3. Google Vault adds support for Calendar
4. Record using Google Slides
5. Convert your Jamboard files to Figjam
6. Get Google Certified in 2024!
7. NotebookLM by Google
8. Sample AI policies
9. Holiday choice board for elementary students
10. Lock up the presents!

Visit the show notes to get all of the links and resources that were mentioned: http://chrmbook.com/s8e6

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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. Join the waitlist so you don't miss out: gEducator.com ***

10 links for November 2023: 

1. Book an appointment from Gmail
2. Add GIFs and stickers to Google Slides
3. Google Classroom analytics
4. YouTube for Education is broken
5. New ratings smartchip for Google Sheets
6. Is this image real?
7. Pocket Chrome extension
8. Langage is the new paintbrush
9. Create your personal AI teacher's assistant
10. AI playbook for Google Sheets

Visit the show notes to get all of the links and resources that were mentioned: http://chrmbook.com/s8e5

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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 Admin console and your student information system. 👉 http://vizor.cloud/cbc

Here are my favorite links for October 2023: 

1. Google Champions Symposium recap
2. "Plus" Chromebooks for teachers?
3. So long, Jamboard
4. "Activity" panel for Google Drive
5. Building blocks on top in Docs
6. Improved appointment scheduling
7. Schedule a meeting with Gmail
8. Google Slides pumpkin carving
9. Live pointers in Google Slides
10. MagicSchool.ai

Visit the show notes to get all of the links and resources that were mentioned: http://chrmbook.com/s8e4

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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.

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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!) Visit the show notes to get all of the links and resources that were mentioned: http://chrmbook.com/s8e2

** Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks ** VIZOR simplifies the process of asset management, device repairs, and financial reporting from a single system the integrates with the Google Admin console and your student information system. 👉 http://vizor.cloud/cbc

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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 has added more than 60 new features to help you manage your technology hardware. Learn more and save 20% off your first year by visiting Vizor.cloud/cbc

Here are my favorite links for August 2023:

1. Lock assignment in Google Classroom
2. Access a classroom as a visitor
3. NotebookLM
4. Inside a Geinus Mind (Lenoardo Da Vinci)
5. Is LaCrOS finally ready? 
6. Essential student technology skills
7. Selfie card activity
8. Be careful of back to school Chromebook "deals"
9. Alie Keeler's recommend tech tools for 2023
10. Jamboard vs. Figjam

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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 school year has ended which means it's time to collect, repair, and inventory your fleet of devices. Dean Bates and Jef Lalonde from Vizor join me to share best practices for keeping an accurate device inventory.

Learn more about VIZOR for chromebooks: HTTP://vizor.cloud/cbc

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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!

NEW: watch this episode on YouTube!

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!)

These are my favorite links and updates for May, 2023!

Episode Sponsor: The Google Admin Bootcamp

Join me this summer and master the Google Admin console through a convenient LIVE virtual training. Learn tips and strategies for managing district data and improving security. 

Learn more: GoogleAdminBootcamp.com 

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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!). These are my top 10 links and updates for April 2023. 

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Episode Sponsor: Vizor for Chromebooks

If you have been struggling to track and inventory the technology being used in your district, you need VIZOR! To find out more and get up to 20% off go to vizor.cloud/cbc

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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!

Morgan Weisman joins me to review some cool new updates announced at the BETT conference in London in March of 2023. Morgan is the product marketing manager for Google for Education and a former Dallas Texas kindergarten teacher.

Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks

Manage your district technology with ease with VIZOR. Save 20% off your first year!

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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 & resources for March 2023. 

Episode Sponsor: Vizor for Chromebooks

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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!

Printing from a Chromebook hasn't been easy either. First, there was no printing support, then there was cloud print, then Google took it away....and the story continues. Joining me on the podcast today is Willem Groenwald from Papercut, a leader in print management software.

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Episode Sponsor: Vizor for Chromebooks

Vizor helps schools and business organize their technology assets (including printers!). Visit vizor.cloud/cbc for a no obligation demo and save 20% off your first year. 

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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 test and use a LOT of Chrome extensions, but there are only five that I consider essential...

Episode sponsor: Vizor for Chromebooks

VIZOR provides Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. You can schedule a no-obligation demo of VIZOR and receive 20% off your first year!  

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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 for February 2023!

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Episode Sponsor: Vizor for Chromebooks

If you are in charge of managing your Chromebook fleet, you have probably realized that the admin console doesn’t provide all of the features you need to manage, inventory, and organize your devices. That’s why you need Vizor! Vizor fills in the gaps between the admin console, your SIS, and inventory systems, giving you a single location to track devices, repairs, and reports. Schedule a no-obligation demo for Vizor to learn more: Vizor.cloud/CBC

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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!

Last week I was in New Orleans for the 2023 FETC conference, the first big EdTech event of the new year. This is a quick summary of the vibe, my connections, and the vendor experience.

Episode Sponsor: Vizor for Chromebooks

VIZOR provides Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. You can schedule a no-obligation demo of VIZOR and receive 20% off your first year!  

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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!

In this episode you will hear my thoughts and advice on taking (and passing) the level 1 and level 2 Google educator exams in 2023.

I take these exams at least once a year and I'm always happy to share my experience to help you pass these exams.

I know that many of you are instructional coaches who are helping other teachers earn their certification. I hope this episode will provide useful information for you as well.

Episode Sponsor: VIZOR provides Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. You can schedule a no-obligation demo of VIZOR and receive 20% off your first year!  

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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!).

These are my favorite links for January 2023. 

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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

Here are my favorite links for December 2022: 

1. Code blocks in Google Docs
2. Follow a collaborator in Google Slides
3. How one digital book led to an important COVID-19 discovery
4. Responding to plagiarism
5. Chat GPT
6. I took the ChromeOS administrator exm
7. New course for Chromebook Admins
8. Top Chrome extension of 2022
9. Year in search 2022
10. Lock up the gifts!

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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 school has a population of sneaky students who seem to always find a way to bypass district web filters and security settings. Today I'm joined by experienced tech director Eric Griffith to discuss these sneaky tactics and prepare a response.

Episode Sponsor: Vizor for Chromebooks

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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 for November 2022:

1. Timeline view for Sheets
2. Expiring access for Drive
3. Manage shared drive storage
4. Auto transcription for Google Meet
5. Session Buddy Chrome extension
6. How to handle student discord online
7. Black Friday Chromebook deals
8. How to spot a bad Chromebook deal
9. Gratefulness with Jamboard
10. Give thanks with Slides

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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

Here are my favorite links for October 2022:

1. Four updates from the Cloud Next conference
2. Deploy Chrome apps by group
3. Certified ChromeOS administrator
4. Editing audio from your Chromebook
5. Easy accent marks (chrome extension)
6. Google Classroom discussion questions
7. Google Trends Halloween predictions
8. Carve a digital pumpkin
9. Halloween Choiceboard
10. Trick-or-treat fitness challenge

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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!

Each year I add a few new tools and strategies to my teaching toolbox to keep my classroom from feeling stale. Here are five things I'm adding to my teaching toolbox for 2022-23.

Episode Sponsor: Vizor for Chromebooks

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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!

After more than 25 years working in the field of computer science, including working for NASA, Marianne founded Code Girls United, a free after-school coding program for Montana girls.

If you are looking at incorporating computer science into your school curriculum, Marianne is a wealth of knowledge!

Episode sponsor: Vizor for Chromebooks

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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!).

These are my favorite links for September, 2022. 

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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 summer winds down, it's time to get ready for the new school year by preparing your Google Classroom courses. In this episode I'm sharing the four-step process that I use to build my courses along with some advanced tips and new features you can use this year.  

Episode Sponsor: Classroom Kickstart, a self-paced course to help you maximize your use of Google Classroom this year. 

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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!

Noah Levin joins me to introduce the education community to Figma, a web-based design tool that works beautifully with Chromebooks.  

Episode Sponsor: Teach with Chrome virtual course: chrmbook.com/courses

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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!)

Check out these 10 interesting, useful, and fun links for the month of August 2022:

1. Trust rules for Google Drive
2. Google Doc edit notifications
3. Add-ons for Google Classroom
4. Quick actions for Adobe Express
5. 21 typing resources
6. Calendar cleanup
7. Digital pen + eraser
8. Essential technology skills checklist
9. Back to school tech quiz
10. Google Classroom for parents

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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!

If you are in charge of managing a fleet of Chromebooks, your work starts now, before students and teachers return to the building.

Today on the podcast I would like to share two suggestions to help IT administrators clean up and refresh their Chromebook fleet before students and teachers return to the classroom.

Episode Sponsor: Penoval USI702 digital stylus

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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 episode kicks off my 2022 "toolbox" series of episodes where I will be sharing my favorite classroom tools to help you prepare for the 2022-23 school year. 

The first toolbox episode is all about drawing, sketching, and doodling! More schools are purchasing touch-screen Chromebooks which means you need to know the best apps for taking notes, annotating videos, and being creative. 

Episode sponsor: Penoval, creator of the USI702 digital stylus with built-in eraser. 

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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!)

Check out these 10 interesting, useful, and fun links for the month of July 2022:

1. New font options for Google Forms
2. PIP for Google Meet
3. Google Task updates
4. Request a “transformation report”
5. Kick start coding competition 
6. Beta test the latest EDU updates
7. VA district missing 1,800 Chromebooks
8. Summer read: singularity series
9. Barcodes in Google Sheets
10. “Paint Online” Chrome extension

Episode sponsor: Vizor for Chromebooks

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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!

Thanks to VIZOR for Chromebooks for sponsoring this episode!

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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!