Some Very Good Chrome Tools to Annotate and Edit PDFs

March 4, 2015
PDFs (portable document formats) are probably the most popular document format we use in our daily work as teachers and educators. As such, we deemed it important that we share with you this list of  some interesting tools to help you  do more with your PDF files.  These Chrome apps will allow you to edit, annotate, convert, view, fill forms and share PDFs. Some of these add-ons (such as the first two in this list) are also integrated with Google Drive.

1- DocHub

DocHub is a tool that you can use to perform a variety of tasks on your PDFs and documents. It lets you sign, edit and share your PDFs and docs. You can also use it to fill forms, merge documents and create templates.

2- Notable PDF

This is another popular app that allows you to both view and annotate your PDFs. Annotating features offered by this add-on include:  highlighting, underlining, strikethrough, posting comments and notes, add text and many more.It can also help you collaborate, gather feedback, and work with other people in real-time.

3- PDF Compressor

PDF Compressor is a very handy tool when it comes to reducing the size of your large PDF files.�The files you upload and generate on the site are deleted permanently from the server within one hour after the upload. �

4- Merge PDF

This is a very good app to use for combining multiple PDFs. The process is pretty simple, you either upload or drag and drop your files to the app�s interface and the upload will start right away. Once uploaded you then preview your pages, change their order or even delete whole pages. When done click generate and the app will automatically download the merged files to your Drive.

5- Image to PDF Converter

As its name indicate, this add-on lets you easily convert your images into PDFs. It works with different image formats and you can upload either a single image or multiple images.

6- Word to PDF

Word to PDF is another app by the same developer as the previous one. This add-on enables you to easily convert your document files into PDFs.

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A Handful of Good Chrome Tips for Teachers

March 3, 2015
Chrome is a powerful web browser to use for navigating the net. It is also popular among the education community as is evident from the huge interaction we receive each time we write about it. Chrome has a wide range of interesting features that make it ideal for educational uses. One of these features is third party extensions.There are some really useful educational extensions you and your students can use on Chrome to perform a number of things from saving numerous tabs in a single page to annotating and editing screenshots. Check out this page for some of our recommendations for Chrome educational extensions. You can also check Chrome Help section for more resources and guides on everything related to Chrome.

We are also sharing with you this list of video tutorials covering some handy tips on how to use different features on Chrome. Check them out below:

1- Translating web pages in Chrome

2- Using Chrome's Incognito mode

3- Using Chrome on different devices

4-Three tips for spotting malware

5- Chrome's settings, your way

6- Keeping Chrome updated

7- Clear cache and cookies in Google Chrome

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7 Great Chrome Apps to Help Students Become Better Googlers

March 2, 2015
Here is what we have been working on over the last weekend. This is a list of some excellent Chrome tools to enhance your 'Googling' experience. From extensions allowing you to conduct a quick Google image search to add-ons that help you find what you are searching for in a  faster and easier way, the list comprises some of the best tools recommended by Google and other Third party developers. The purpose is to empower students with the necessary know-how to take their Google experience to the next level and also to enable them to become  digital savvy netizens.

1- Search by Image

This is a really wonderful tool that you can use to quickly find information about any image you come across online. Once the add-on is installed, you simply right click on any image and select �Search Google with this image� and you will be able to access results about  �that image, and similar images, appear on the web. You can see webpages that contain that image, or find the same image in different sizes or resolutions.�

2- Highlight to Search

This is an add-on that makes it super easy to search for information using any keyword in a web page. You simply highlight the word and a magnifying glass will be displayed under it. Clicking on it will enable you to search Google for that word.

3- Google Similar Pages

Students can use this tool to search for pages that talk about similar topics.When you click the Similar Pages button, your browser will send a search query to Google to see if there are any similar pages for the page you are viewing.

4- Google Quick Scroll

Google Quick Scroll is a browser extension that helps you find what you are searching for faster.After you click on a Google search result, Quick Scroll may appear on the bottom-right corner of the page, showing one or more bits of text from the page that are relevant to your query. Clicking on the text will take you to that part of the page.

5- Personal Blocklist

This add-on allows you to blocks domains/hosts from appearing in your Google search results.The personal blocklist extension will transmit to Google the patterns that you choose to block. When you choose to block or unblock a pattern, the extension will also transmit to Google the URL of the web page on which the blocked or unblocked search results are displayed.

6- Maps Galaxy

With MapsGalaxy, you can access FREE maps, quick directions, traffic reports and more -- all with one click.  Go anywhere with FREE maps and directions.

7- Google Dictionary

Google Dictionary is a must have app for all language learners. This app makes it super easy to view word definitions as you browse the web. Simply highlight or double click the word you want to define, and a pop-up bubble will be displayed with the complete definition of that term. I also allows you to store the history of words you have looked up so you can practice them later.

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10 of The Best Chrome Apps for Math Teachers

February 23, 2015
Here is what we have been working on over the last weekend. This is a list that comprises some of the best math apps and extensions in Chrome store. We have literally gone through hundreds of apps to finally decide on the apps that would make the cut.These extensions are meant to help kids develop math skills through a wide variety of exercises, activities, games, interactive simulations and many more. Some of these apps are integrated with Google Drive and are also available for  iPad, Android, and Chromebooks.

1- GeoGebra

GeoGebra (www.geogebra.org) is free dynamic mathematics software for all levels of education that brings together geometry, algebra, spreadsheets, graphing, statistics and calculus in one easy-to-use package. Interactive learning, teaching and evaluation resources created with GeoGebra can be shared and used by everyone at tube.geogebra.org.

2- Desmos Graphing Calculator

Explore math with Desmos! Plot functions, create tables, add sliders, animate your graphs, and more -- all for free.

3- Math Arcade Games

Improve your math skills and have arcade style fun at the same time.  Blast your way through wave after wave of attacking alien space ships.

4- Graph.tk

Graph.tk is an online and open-source graphing utility.It's very easy to use. Use the "+" button to create a new equation. Use "/" for fractions, "^" for exponentials, and "*" for multiplication.

5- Buzz Math

Buzz Math is a great app for personalized middle school math practice. it�s engaging thousands of students , teachers and families by empowering and challenging them.

6- MathBoard Addition

 MathBoard Addition is appropriate for all ages from kindergarten to elementary school where learning math can be a challenge. You can control the range of numbers you want to work with, the number of questions you want to answer and even assign a time limit per quiz.

7- Math Mahjong

Begin with Mathjong Basic and learn the fundamentals, and then there are four more levels after that, each more challenging than the last.

8- Monster Math Flash Card

Monster Math Flash Cards for kids is a fun way for kids to learn addition, subtraction, multiplication with an array of cute animated monsters. With the Monster Math Flash Cards app, you can choose from a range of numbers, which is great for kids who are having trouble with certain math facts. Each card contains an animated monster that will entertain kids while they practice their math facts

9- Popular math

Mathground is a web site like a math library including everything about mathematics. Kids to university students, even teachers find useful and supplementary articles, math videos and other educational materials.

10- ADDieMath Math

ADDieMath is a simple and fun tool that kids can use to learn and master ADDition, subtraction, multiplication and division fact tables. ADDieMath provides the challenge of timed problem solving, the tracking of learning progress, and the flexibility of various levels and operations!

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7 Terrific Chrome Apps for Science Teachers

February 19, 2015
Today we spent sometime in Chrome web store sifting through the different educational extensions they have there and we ended up with the list below. These are some very good tools for Science teachers to use with their students to teach them about different scientific phenomena.We used user-reviews and download number  as selective criteria for out list. Have a look and share with us what you think of it. Enjoy

1- 3D Solar System

This is a 3D solar system simulation application, which gives you the approximate location of the planets in the solar system at different time, and some information about each one of them.

2- Anatomy 3d

Anatomy 3D provides you with a bunch of interactive tools to use to dissect, explore and learn about the human body in 3D. The tool is also available for Android and iOS users.

3- Anatomy Games

This extension offers users a variety of anatomy games and atlases to help them learn about human anatomy

4- Planetarium

Planetarium is a beautiful interactive sky map that students can use to explore the stars and learn about planets. The tool shows over 1500 stars with a magnitude of up to �+5�.

5- Useful Periodic Table

This is a periodic table of the elements that has all the elements and most of their respective properties collected and stored in one easy to use and simple to find location.  Contained within this periodic table is a unit converter that will convert some of the scientific dimensions.  Also, containing links to wikipedia for further literature on that element that you wish to know.  Great for students because of the elements quiz contained within.

6- BioDigital Human

The BioDigital Human is a 3D platform that simplifies the understanding of anatomy, disease and treatments. Explore the body in 3D!

7- Anatomy Skills : Bones

Learn all of the major bones in the human body using three different modes: Learn, Game and Quiz. The app covers all of the major bones in the body from the phalanges to the femurs. Carefully selected graphics make the features easy to identify.

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EasyBib Tool- An Incredibly Helpful App for Citing Websites

February 13, 2015
EasyBib Tools is definitely a must have app for college and research students. With one click you can generate citations for websites and create bibliographies. It is a time saving tool for sure but I would not trust it one hundred per cent, always go through the citations and make sure they are properly formatted.

EasyBib tools also provides you with a bunch of other nifty features such as credibility ratings of the website you are visiting. You can also build a fully-formatted, alphabetized, and Word-processor-ready bibliography of all the sources you have cited.

Generating citations is free for only MLA style other styles such as APA and Chicago are for premium users.Also, to save and access your citations and bibliographies you create you will have to register with EasyBib Tools. Registration is free.

Watch this video to learn more about EasyBib Tools

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This Is How to Search Chrome Web Store for Educational Apps and Extensions

January 24, 2015
Chrome web store is the go-to platform when looking for educational Chrome apps and extensions. The store features a wide variety of apps covering different categories from productivity to entertainment. We have already featured several of these apps in previous posts and we have also a separate section in this blog where teachers can have access  to the best educational Chrome apps out there. Today, however, we are sharing with you this excellent video from Google to walk you through the process of looking for apps and extensions in Chrome web store. You will get to learn how to search for extensions using different criteria including popularity and categories. Have a look and share with your colleagues.

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Print Friendly: A Handy Chrome Extension for Teachers

November, 2014
Print Friendly is a handy Chrome extension that allows you to print your webpages in a print-friendly format. It also removes all the distractive elements in the page including ads and navigation so the page is optimized for the ultimate reading experience. I have been using this extension on my browser for awhile and I am really content with how it works.

The "edit before printing" is one of the best features I like the most about this extension. Before you print any webpage, you can delete any content you don't want and remove images from it. You can even change the text size and make it smaller or bigger as needs be. Besides printing pages in an optimized format, Print Friendly enables you to generate PDFs for archiving, sharing or saving. PDFs you create embed clickable links and source URL so you can always keep track of your web sources.

Watch the video below to learn more about Print Friendly & PDF

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Powerful Chromebook Apps for Teachers

November, 2014
Google's Chromebooks are growing in popularity, especially since teachers and students can use their Google accounts like a single sign-on. Here are some notable Chromebook apps to check out. They all have a website as well, so anyone can use these resources.

123ContactForm

Create quizzes, polls, and forms using this app's visual drag-and-drop editor.

Cacoo 

 Work on the same diagrams and mind maps with colleagues in real-time with this app.

Citelighter 

 Annotate, record, and track various sentences and passages from multiple websites into one place.

Online Voice Recorder 

 Record any sound from your laptop's microphone with this very simple app.


Want more? Check out these collections .

Teacher Chrome Extensions 

This is curated by library media specialist Krista Welz.

Chrome Apps for Digital Storytelling 

This one is curated by instructional technology specialist Rafranz Davis.

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