Using Google Chrome Extensions and Apps

February 14 th, 2018 by Shannon Proulx NLSEC Technology Coordinator

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Objectives▪Learn the difference between a Google Extension and Google App

▪Learn how to log into the Chrome web browser and how this differs from logging into your school email or Google Drive

▪Learn how to download an extension from the Chrome Store

▪Learn about several useful chrome extensions available

▪Learn how to unlink your Google account from the Chrome browser

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What is an extension?▪Extension are tools in the Chrome browser that add functionality to the web experience

▪They can be a simple function like highlighting text on the webpage with one click or more advanced like screencasting

▪They are found to the right on the Chrome browser toolbar

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What is a Google App?

▪Google Apps are links to Google products through a website

▪Found in the “waffle” by your picture

▪Google App examples: ▪ Calendar - https://www.google.com/calendar

▪ Drive - https://www.google.com/drive

▪ Contacts - https://www.google.com/contacts

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Logging into gmail vs Chrome browser▪Linking your Google Account to the Chrome browser is different than logging into your gmail or Google Drive

▪Here is have logged into my school google account

▪This is different than signing into Chrome browser (see next slide)

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Log into Chrome browser▪Settings (3 dots in upper right corner)

▪Sign In

▪Enter your school Google account

▪Select “link data”

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Linking Google Account to Chrome browser (con’t)

▪Message appears:

▪When correctly linked to the Chrome browser, will look like this in settings:

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Download an extension from Chrome Web Store

▪ To find the Chrome Web Store▪ Look for 9 colored squares in upper left corner

▪ Or google “Chrome Store”

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Managing Extensions

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To turn extensions on/off:▪ Settings (three dots

upper right corner)▪ More tools▪ Extensions

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Example Extensions

Reading Extensions

▪Mercury Reader (formerly Readability)

o Simplifies webpage, no ads

Writing Extensions

▪Tools – Voice Typing (in Google Docs)o Built in voice recognition into Google

Docs

▪Google Dictionary o Click on any word to see definition

▪Kami o Add text to PDF, can save into your

Google drive

Organization/Utility Extensions

▪Clock for Google Chrome o Visual clock with chimes

▪Super Simple Highlighter o Highlight text any page, open in a new tab to print

▪Tab Scissors/Tab Glue o Divides browser in half based on what tab open

▪Save to Google Drive o Save website text to your Drive

▪AdBlock Pluso Removes unwanted ads

▪Google Keepo Save URL to a note in Keep

▪Screencastifyo Record screencasts under 10 minutes, includes

logo, max 50 videos a month for free version

▪Google Calendar (by Google)o Quickly add events to your calendar from any

webpage

Unlink Google account from Chrome browser

▪Back in the Settings under People, select “Sign Out”

▪Only necessary if on a lab or public computer

▪Keep in mind there is no need to “link/disconnect” your Google Account to the Chrome browser if you are using a Chromebook

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For more information▪Click here for a complete handout with more Google extensions examples

▪Or Or go to www.nlsec.org under Resources – AT Resources – Google Resources

▪Shannon Proulx, NLSEC Technology Coordinatorsproulx@nlsec.k12.mn.us218-879-1283

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