Am I out of a job as a podcast host? (April 2025 EDU Updates)
The Chromebook Classroom Podcast
Release Date: 04/14/2025
The Chromebook Classroom Podcast
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 for April 2025 - Teachers in EDU Plus domains can now upload custom content to Read Along. This means you can provide students with reading support for your own stories, articles, and assignments. - teachers can submit their Google Vid creation to be featured in a Google For Education blog post. Submission deadline is May 15,...
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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 . Tend 1: classroom specific AI tools for teachers Trend 2:...
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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 between now and December 15 will get free access to my ($99 value). ! 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 ....
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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: All of the resources mentioned in this episode are available here: 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 ...
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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: All of the resources mentioned in this episode are available here: 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...
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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. Google classroom checklist for...
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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: Here are my favorite links for July...
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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: ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into...
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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 . Get 20% off your first year when you schedule a no-obligation demo. Show notes and links: ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the ! If you enjoyed today's...
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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 . Get 20% off your first year when you schedule a no-obligation demo. Episode Shownotes and links: ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the ! If you enjoyed today's episode, I...
info_outlineAs 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 for April 2025
- Custom Reading Content for Read Along - Teachers in EDU Plus domains can now upload custom content to Read Along. This means you can provide students with reading support for your own stories, articles, and assignments.
- Google Vids Education Film Festival - teachers can submit their Google Vid creation to be featured in a Google For Education blog post. Submission deadline is May 15, 2025. Google Vids is available for EDU Plus and Teaching&Learning domains.
- New sidebar menu for Google Slides - this handy menu provides quick access to templates, building blocks, and other features, based on your Google license.
- Clone yourself in minutes - my latest YouTube video discusses three ways to use video in your classroom. It’s not as hard as you might think!
- 5 end of year project ideas - I know it's hard to believe, but the end of the school year is not far away. Take some time to plan an end-of-year project to help students reflect on their learning
- Audio Overview for Gemini (and docs!) - This popular feature first appeared in NotebookLM, but is now available in Gemini as well. It is especially useful when using the “deep research” model. Audio overviews for Google Docs is coming soon.
- Canvas for Gemini - When working on longer, complex writing projects, “Canvas” makes it easier to use Gemini as a co-writer. This is a great tool to use when developing lesson plans or assignments.
- 5 advanced Gemini features - Google has added a LOT of impressive features to Gemini. If you aren’t using these, you are missing out!
- A Classroom Teacher’s take on AI - Blake Harvard, HS social studies teacher from Madison Alabama, shares his honest thoughts on the incursion of AI in education.
- uBlock Origin Lite - you may have noticed that some of your Chrome extensions are no longer available including some popular ad-blockers. uBlock Lite is an alternative that will work, although not quite as well as the original.
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You can connect with me, John Sowash, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!