Let's learn about searching using Google Chrome

I am most definitely a Google Chrome fan! I have discovered that it is incredibly useful for students. 

At the recent Google in Education Summit in Cape Town there were a number of presentations outlining the usefulness of Google Chrome as a browser option (one of them was given by me!). Not only is it fast and reliable as a browser but it has a unique way of enabling almost everything that you want to do in your browsing session work right from the browser bar - by means of extensions.  This is what my browser bar looks like currently and the list is growing.



Another unique feature in Chrome is that the Omnibox can be used for so many different purposes in addition to being the place where the page URL is shown.  This is a great time-saving feature for students.

So I thought that it would be a good idea to introduce Chrome to my students showing in particular these two features to start off with. This presentation introduces six useful extensions for students as well as seven useful ways of searching from the Omnibox.



Note: One point to remember is that Google is always improving matters, so nothing remains static. Even extensions are improved and changed. This presentation might already be out of date!

The AMAZING Google Chrome (webinar presentation)

My experience of Google Chrome is that it is one of the fastest internet browsers available today. It also offers some great features, including synchronization across computers, multiple browsers, autofill, application and extensions for every browsing situation. The webinar last night mentioned some of these features. Thank you very much to all who attended the SchoolNet webinar last night entitled 'The AMAZING Google Chrome'. I hope you were inspired to try more of what this browser offers.

The presentation on SlideShare

If you would like access to the presentation used in the webinar it can be downloaded from Slideshare as a PDF. Here is the link:

The AMAZING Google Chrome from Fiona Beal


Recording

If you missed the webinar (18 minutes) and would like to list to what was said, here is the recording link: http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/p29kfsqcsu3/

Get to know the Chrome browser

Today I am starting a series of 30 posts about Google tools that I just love! Having recently returned from the Google Teacher Academy in New York and still basking in the memory of it all, I thought a 30 day series in conjunction with a short free online SchoolNet course on Google products would be very apt.  (Oh New York! I can hardly believe that thriving metropolis is being ravashed by Hurricane Sandy.)  To get back to Google products, for me there is no better place to start than the Chrome browser.  Have you tried Google Chrome? I have three browsers installed on my computer (Chrome, Internet Explorer and Firefox) but Google Chrome has fast become my firm favourite because it is so much more than a browser. Not only is it fast but all these amazing extensions make it a BRILLIANT surfing experience. 

How can I get started with Chrome?
I met so many technology legends at the Google Teacher Academy, one of whom is Amy Meyer of ‘Fried Technology’ fame. I learned so much from her – she was actually one of the Lead Learners as they were called in charge of a group of 6. I really couldn’t explain Chrome better than her. Just tune in to the screencast video below – you will be amazed at what this browser can achieve.  Amy (@friEdTechnology) calls her presentation ‘Google Chrome tips and tricks’.  This is a very good start to getting to know Chrome – but it also shows other aspects that I didn’t know about although I was a Chrome user. 



If you haven't tried Chrome, why not download it to your computer and explore a little? Try following all the steps in Amy's screencast. The great thing about Chrome is that when you sign in it syncs with all your devices and all the extensions are available on each one. 

In the next post I will show you some of the Google extensions that will make your life (and your students' lives) so much easier, right there in your browsing experience. I’ll start with my favourites!  The sign up form for SchoolNet’s short free online Google course for our South African teachers will also be posted tomorrow.