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

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

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 

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

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)

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

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/

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

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/

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

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?

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

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! 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

----------------------------- 

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!