Chrome the Browser
Chrome is a fantastic web browser with many features and settings to personalise its functionality. This allows users to enhance their browser experience and improve their efficiency.
The below settings allow all users, and in particular teachers and students, to take advantage of features the Chrome browser offers.
Bookmarks
Bookmarking web pages on the bookmark bar allows users quick access to regularly visited sites.
To bookmark a webpage you have visited users just have to click the star on the right of the Omnibox. You have the option for the bookmark to sit on the bookmark bar or in a folder with other bookmarks.
*The bookmark bar can become crowded if each bookmark has a title. I recommend removing titles from each and just have the Favicon (website icon) showing. This way you can fit a more bookmarks on your bookmark bar.
Omnibox
Chrome’s Omnibox not only allows users to find URL’s and search Google, but can also perform other time saving tasks.
Add a Search Engine
Any webpage with a search bar can be added as a search engine. This enables the user to search the newly added search engine directly from the Omnibox from any webpage.
To add a search engine;
- Right click in the search bar on the webpage
- Select “Add As Search Engine”
- Choose a ‘Keyword’ (I suggest 1 or 2 letters)
Now when you want to search Google Drive, you can simply type into the Omnibox from any webpage, ‘d spacebar’ and search for the documents you want to find.
Alternatively you can manually add each new search engine in your settings;
- Settings
- Manage Search Engines
- Enter your search engine details
The URL’s of the search engines I use regularly are:
Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/my-drive?q=%s
Gmail: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?q=%s
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%s
Calculator
The Omnibox can be used as a calculator. Just type in the equation you would like answered. You can then continue to use this calculator feature.
Define
To understand the meaning or pronunciation of a word, type “define” followed by your word into the Omnibox.
Timer
A countdown timer can be set by typing “timer” and the time you would like in the Omnibox.
Pin Tabs
Pinning tabs to the browser is a great way to keep organised with your most visited webpages. These tabs will always appear on the left of the browser when it is opened. You will notice the tab is smaller, you will only see the Favicon for the Pinned tab.
Right click on a tab you would like to pin, and select ‘Pin Tab’.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Becoming familiar with keyboard shortcuts will allow you to work more efficiently. Some of my favourites are;
*These shortcuts are for Chromebooks and PC’s, for Mac users, replace ctrl with ‘command’.
Chrome Apps for Education
Chrome Web Apps are interactive webpages that run from within the Chrome Browser. Once added from the Web Store a shortcut is accessible from the New Tab Page and App Launcher. Many Apps link directly to Google Drive allowing users to upload to the App and save creations in their Drive account.
Here is a list of my favourite Chrome Apps for Education.
Teacher Chrome Extensions
Installing extensions to Chrome adds amazing functionality to the browser. This allows users to personalise Chrome to suit their needs.
The Chrome Web Store has thousands of extensions to customise and improve your browsing experience.
To assist teachers become familiar with extensions I have put together the below list as a starting point.
Student Chrome Extensions
Installing extensions to Chrome adds amazing functionality to the browser. This allows users to personalise Chrome to suit their needs.
The Chrome Web Store has thousands of extensions to customise the browser. To help students become familiar with extensions I ‘Force Install’ a small selection via their Organisational Unit in the Admin Console. This results in students logging into their account and automatically having access to these selected extensions.
Students have full access to the Chrome Web Store to add more extensions as they need. There is a setting in the Admin Console to Allow or Block Apps and Extensions. I choose to allow students access to all Apps and Extensions, using this as a teachable moment and educate them to only install extensions that will enhance their learning.
Below is the list of extensions all students have access to when they first sign into Chrome.