Google Extensions for Distance Learning
Distance Learning is moving 100 miles an hour and it feels like everyday we are introduced to a new, amazing, glittery tech tool; so you might be wondering what are my tried and true, go-to Google extensions for distance learning? I’m here to share! These are simple, rarely-glitchy extensions that I use every.single.day in my COVID-19, remote teaching life.
Google Extensions For Distance Learning
Like any tool, I am choosing to invest my time and energy in tech tools that help facilitate learning. The art of backwards design matters.
- What is the standard or learning goal?
- How will we know when we are there?
- Which tasks will help us get there?
- What feedback will students need along the way?
- Which technology tools best support this sequence?
We are choosing technology tools not because they are the brightest, shiniest, or most popular, rather they help facilitate the learning and feedback. The four Google extensions can be downloaded for FREE and each one is versatile in its use – math, reading, science, social studies…it’s got you covered!
Screencastify
Looking a quick way to record yourself? In distance learning, we are prerecording a LOT of content. From mini-lessons to how-to videos, we need a reliable Google Extension. Using this free extension, you can record yourself alone or you + your computer. It allows you to show your screen and the, puts you in a square at the bottom of the screen. Last Friday and Saturday, I worked on 18 short phonics videos in less than 3 hours. Once made, the files upload to Drive – easy peasy. You can then share the videos via text, Docs, Classroom, or QR code.
Page Marker
A *simple* no-frills extension, Page Marker is one of my favorite glitch-free ways to annotate slides, webpages, text, or whatever your heart desires on the internet. Share your screen with students, they can watch you write on number talks, math games, and even model writing resources. Plus, with the option to download the screen, you can save and upload that image or work to Google Classroom, Google Slides, or send it to families.
Talk & Comment
Looking for a quick way to leave students feedback on their work? Talk and Comment (a Google extension) allows you to leave audio comments without a lot of hoops.
The comments are playable for students up to 90 days, even if they don’t have the extension! You can even add them in Google Classroom assignments to increase accessibility.
(Note: Mote is awesome too BUT is now a paid extension after 20 comments a day. Plus, you don’t get a web link than can be added to Classroom.)
Mute Tab
Although Google doesn’t make it easy to do breakout rooms, when working with students and teachers I will often create 4-15 different rooms where participants work. When I do this I always want the option of hopping between rooms and still want everyone to see my face. The Mute Tab extension allows me to mute and/or unmute specific tab/Google Meets, so I can check-in, contribute, and provide support as needed!
Any extensions you would add to this list??
For more information, reflections, and resources for distance learning…
- Distance Learning Resources from my Corner of Cyberspace
- Virtual Open House (Blog Post)
- All About Me – Introducing Google Slides (Blog Post)
- Math & Reading Take-Home Tool Kits (Blog Post)
- What Does Phonics Look like Digitally? (Blog Post)
- Digitizing Number Talks (Blog Post)
- Celebrating Students Remotely (Blog Post)
- Sign up for Sunday-night pep talks here.
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Due to this pandemic the way in which I teach now has become a rewarding but frustrating journey. I didn’t know all of these options and things were available on Google or any other platform on the internet. You never stop learning as a Teacher and I’m grateful that I can meet my students through any form of technology or communication.
Hey Catherine Reed
, great article! Thanks. That was interesting to read.
I’m a Chrome extension developer, and I’ve created a nice extension which is worth looking at as well. I called DailyFox.
DailyFox allows you to focus on your daily activities. It has a really eye-catching design with daily notes and pages, to-do’s, Google Calendar events, weather, and more.
I beleive, you will like it:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dailyfox/icokiikdmaaecdehkchflilmbmmedpga?utm_source=article_post
Please, let me know what you think.
Happy writing with DailyFox,
Ivan
Thank you! This is very helpful. For remote learning, I’m always looking for something succinct, simple but effective. So much time is spent on different resources and learning to use them that it tires me and the kids out. I think you understand that. I think google extensions offer good options.
Thank you for sharing these! Even though we are not all teaching virtually currently, these are helpful and useful for in the classroom as well. My district has 1:1 Chromebooks for all students K-12. As teachers of the younger students, we have been asked to continue to teach students how to use google classroom and google meets, etc. Thanks!
I am constantly on the lookout for condensed, straightforward, and efficient means of remote learning. We’re all worn out from trying out new tools and spending so much time learning how to utilize geometry dash lite.
I had no idea that so many resources could be found on Google or the web in general. As a teacher, you never stop learning, and I appreciate being able to connect phrazle with my students wherever they may be.