The Chromebook Classroom Podcast

John R. Sowash

The podcast that explore how Chromebooks are impacting the K-12 classroom. Hosted by author and Google Certified Trainer John Sowash who interviews a variety of guests who share their Chromebook Classroom experience.

  • 44 minutes 21 seconds
    10 updates and edTech trends from 2024

    This month, we're taking a look back at some of the big updates, developments, and edTech trends from 2024. We'll also peer into the crystal ball to consider what might be on the horizon for 2025.

    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

    • Tend 1: classroom specific AI tools for teachers
    • Trend 2: Improvements in AI image generation
    • Trend 3: Google Gemini expands and improves
    • Trend 4: NotebookLM blows us away! 
    • Trend 5: AI detection debate
    • Trend 6: Chromebook PLUS devices for teachers
    • Trend 7: Premium gets better
    • Trend 8: Google Drive updates
    • Trend 9: Google Classroom Updates
    • Trend 10: Goodbye Jamboard, Hello Vids 
    • Was education improved in 2024? 
    • Final thoughts and resources

    Show notes for this episode: https://www.chrmbook.com/s9e5/

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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 FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

     

    12 December 2024, 11:11 am
  • 25 minutes 3 seconds
    New Google Slides Templates, AI Essays + 8 more November updates!

    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 FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

     

    22 November 2024, 11:00 am
  • 27 minutes 20 seconds
    🎃 October updates: New Gemini features, AI lawsuits and more!

    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 FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

    23 October 2024, 10:00 am
  • 43 minutes 2 seconds
    Your September Google Updates: AI updates, Classroom Groups, cool websites and more!

    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:

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

    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 FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

    19 September 2024, 10:00 am
  • 34 minutes 4 seconds
    Back to school survival kit (15 resources for teachers and administrators)

    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 FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

     

    12 August 2024, 10:00 am
  • 31 minutes 1 second
    10 Must-Know EDU Updates for July: Google, Figma, book recommendations & more!

    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 FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

    22 July 2024, 7:13 pm
  • 40 minutes 37 seconds
    NEW features for Google Classroom, Chromebooks, Drive and MORE! (ISTE24 Update)

    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 FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

     

    24 June 2024, 1:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 7 seconds
    Collecting and repairing Chromebooks (Chris Painter, Blackford County Schools)

    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 FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

     

    4 June 2024, 6:45 pm
  • 33 minutes 13 seconds
    Introducing Gemini for Education (AI tools for teachers and leaders)

    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 FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

     

    16 May 2024, 1:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 9 seconds
    Surprise updates from Cloud Next

    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 FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

     

    18 April 2024, 10:00 am
  • 14 minutes 32 seconds
    So long Google Podcast...let's explore some alternatives.

    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 FacebookTwitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

     

    10 April 2024, 1:41 pm
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