Teaching Tip: Expand your Google tools
May 12, 2015
Thanks to Google, we have access to a plethora of tools to help us get stuff done.
This week’s Teaching Tip focuses on a few ways to extend the functionality of the
Google products we already know and love — Chrome and Google.
Extensions for Google Chrome:
Extensions are bits of software that are installed inside your web browser that add
functionality and help you connect to other services you may use. Browse and install
a wide variety of Extensions through the Chrome Web Store (http://chrome.google.com/webstore). After installing an extension, you may see a small icon appear in your browser
toolbar. Click on the icon to enable and manage the services provided. Some helpful
extensions are:
• Adblock Plus — Blocks all annoying ads and malware.
• goo.gl URL Shortener — Offers sharing options.
• Grammarly — Checks spelling and grammar.
• Readability — Removes all formatting for easy reading.
Apps for Google Chrome:
When visiting the Chrome Web Store, you’ll see that there are a number of apps that
you can install as well. These are applications that are hosted on the website of
a particular service but may work in a particular way in the Chrome browser. After
installation, a shortlink icon will appear on your application screen within Chrome.
Apps for Google Drive:
Google Applications, like Docs, Sheets and Slides, are part of the UA Google Apps
for Education package. Like Chrome Apps, they are online software, but they can be
found inside Google Drive.
Add-ons for Google Drive Apps:
Add-ons are third-party applications that add more functionality and features to your
Google Drive Apps, such as Docs, Sheets and Forms. Install them while inside a specific
Google App. For instance, within a Google Doc you can add:
• Flubaroo — Automatically grades tests through Google Forms.
• EasyBib — Searches for publications from within Google Docs and automatically creates
citation lists.
• Kaizena — Tracks and rates feedback with voice commenting.
• Google Docs to Wordpress — Allows easy web publishing.
Read more and see examples about extensions, add-ons and apps for Google at http://elearning.uaf.edu/go/tt-expanding-google on iTeachU.
— Teaching Tip by Jennifer Moss, https://iteachu.uaf.edu/author/jlmoss/, UAF eLearning instructional designer