The Top 5 Chrome Extensions for Educators and Students

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1 Learning Objectives: The Top 5 Chrome Extensions for Educators and Students After reviewing this resource, you will be able to: Introduction: understand what a Chrome extension is identify and describe the top five extensions for educators and learners find and install the extensions enable/disable and manage extensions implement the identified extensions into your practice to support the diverse needs of all students The Google Platform is widely used for educational purposes, including instruction and learning. This resource has been created to identify the top five Chrome Extensions that both educators and learners may use to modify and enhance their experience. Chrome extensions are programs installed in the Chrome browser to give the user additional features and abilities. The extensions are available on the Chrome Web Store. These extensions may be used in an educational context to support the diverse needs of all students. Requirements to Use Extensions: access to the internet access to the Google Chrome web browser on a computer/laptop (visit to download the Chrome web browser) creation of a Google account (visit to create a Google account; *note: if you have a Gmail address, you already have a Google account created) Page 1 of 5 April 2018

2 The Top 5 Chrome Extensions for Educators and Students: The Chrome extensions identified in this resource have been selected for the use of both educators and students to support the diverse needs of all learners. Each extension provides support to modify and enhance the educational experience. Although there is a plethora of extensions available, the extensions in this resource have been selected based on their usefulness and reliance. All of the extensions identified are free to download (with the option to upgrade for more options within the extensions). The following table identifies and describes each of the top five extensions selected. View the tutorial videos included in this resource for demonstrations on how to use each extension. Also, refer to the task cards for guides, integration strategies, and additional information. Read&Write literacy toolbar includes the following features: - word prediction - text-to-speech - hover speech - talking dictionary and picture dictionary - audio maker - fact finder - web search - screen mask - Talk&Type - translator - highlighters - vocabulary list builder - simplify *note: for use of all of these features, the premium version must be installed (refer to the task card for instructions on how to access a free subscription for educators) EasyBib referencing toolbar quickly generates a citation (available in multiple citation formats) examines the credibility of the website you are citing provides resources for citation formats Page 2 of 5 April 2018

3 BeeLine Reader reading support colour gradient makes reading faster and easier readers are able to focus on decoding and comprehension Announcify text-to-speech (converts text into a synthesized voice) blurs out the texts that is not being read, which allows the user to focus on the pertinent text Screencastify records the screen and audio easily and quickly capture, edit, and share videos Extension Organizer: An extension organizer allows a user to organize, enable and disable extensions. Having a large number of extensions active on your toolbar can be confusing, and they will also slow down your web browser. Therefore, an extension organizer may be used to enable the extension(s) you are using and disable the extension(s) not in use. Again, there are many extension organizers available for download from the Chrome Web Store. The identified extension organizer in this resource has been selected based on its usefulness and reliance. SimpleExtManager simple and easy to use menu to enable, disable, and access options of extensions Page 3 of 5 April 2018

4 Classroom Implementation Strategies for the Selected Extensions: Read&Write allows for inclusion of all learners with literacy tools to support personalized learning may be used for ELL, Language Arts, and English with the typing and word prediction, vocabulary builder, talking and picture dictionary, and translator features may use the Talk&Type feature with Google Docs for speech-to text function for research assignments or written work use for decoding with highlighters (who = blue, what = yellow, etc) declutter distractions (ie. ads) with the screen mask and simplify features assistive technology to build the capacity for independent learning EasyBib create citations and a bibliography for research assignments multiple citation formats available (ie. APA, MLA, Chicago, etc) may be used for collaborating on research assignments and sharing resources (ie. citations, bibliography) educators and students can examine websites for credibility BeeLine Reader improve reading level and skills for all learners colour gradient allows students to focus on decoding and comprehension of text limit distractions on webpages and increase focus on reading allows students with dyslexia an option to change the text font to make it easier to read use for web-based reading and research assignments Page 4 of 5 April 2018

5 Announcify quickly and easily have text read aloud blurs out non-selected text to increase focus of reader helpful for students who have reading difficulty (ie. with decoding) or may be too tired to read a screen extension can be used for (e-text) reading assignments for any subject and grade students can use this extension as a studying tool by having the information read aloud customizable reading speeds and pitch allow for differentiated support for students Screencastify students are able to demonstrate their learning in a multi-modal manner users are able to capture, edit, and share videos (screen capture and/or webcam use) student videos can be included as artifacts in an e-portfolio for formative and/or summative assessment educators may use this extension to record lessons (ie. for flipped classroom) and share them with students and colleagues educators may also use this extension to provide verbal feedback to students Tutorial Videos and Task Cards: a tutorial video has been created to demonstrate how to find and install extensions, as well as for each of the selected extensions to demonstrate how they function and what they may be used for a task card has also been created to demonstrate how to find and install extensions, as well as for each of the selected extensions as step-by-step guides and containing additional information, such as an introduction, integration ideas, task challenge/activity, and where to find additional information/resources note: before proceeding to the tutorial videos and task cards, install each identified extension (refer to the How to Find and Install Extensions section of this resource) Page 5 of 5 April 2018