The Chromebook Classroom Podcast

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 

-----------------------------

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

-----------------------------

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!

-----------------------------

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

-----------------------------

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!