10 Game-Changing Google Updates from ISTE 2026! 🚀
The Chromebook Classroom Podcast
I’ve been holding off on sending out the June EDU update because I knew there were some BIG updates taking place during the ISTE conference. Today in Orlando, Google is announcing 40+ updates for the 2026-27 school year! That’s a LOT of news…but I’ve got you covered. I spent an entire week reviewing, reading, and considering these new features to determine which ones will have the biggest impact on your classroom. Today’s podcast isn’t just a list of links, it’s a carefully curated overview of what’s happening, where things are headed, and what this means for your classroom....
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The agents are coming (Google EDU Update for May 2026)
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!). Show notes and links: ***Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks*** VIZOR provides Chromebook fleet management Software for Schools. Stop hassling with out of date spreadsheets and paper inventories and move into the 21st century with VIZOR: h Here are my favorite links for May 2026: Google AI Educator Series Native File Support & Auto-Updating in...
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How "Vibe Coding" Just Saved a School District $250k 🤯 (April EdTech Updates)
The Chromebook Classroom Podcast
Welcome to the April 2026 Google EDU update! In this video, we explore the latest edtech tools transforming the classroom, including some cool updates to Google Classroom and mind-blowing cinematic videos generated by NotebookLM. We also dive into how one school district utilized "vibe coding" to save $250k, alongside major updates to Canva's Learn Grid and Google Vids. 👉 Show notes and links: https://www.chrmbook.com/s9e15/ *** Episode Sponsor: Gemini Academy for Teachers Summer Tour! Join me virtually or in-person at one of six different stops on my summer tour! We'll explore Gemini and...
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Managing your Chromebook Fleet with Vizor!
The Chromebook Classroom Podcast
For years, IT admins have relied on a patchwork of complicated spreadsheets and manual data entry to keep track of their fleets. When you are managing thousands of devices, "Ctrl+F" on a spreadsheet just doesn't cut it. Recently, I sat down with Jeff LaLonde from VIZOR to learn about the latest updates to VIZOR's already impressive asset management software. Whether you manage 500 devices or 50,000, VIZOR will improve your ability to manage your device fleet. Learn more and schedule a free demo: Thanks to VIZOR for sponsoring the Chromebook Classroom podcast!...
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The one Gemini feature you can’t use in school (March EDU update)
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 March 2026! *** Episode Sponsor: VIZOR for Chromebooks! Manage and organize your Chromebook fleet with VIZOR! Automate device assignments, track repairs, find missing Chromebooks and more. Learn more and schedule a demo: *** 👉 Links and notes for this episode: 📨 Get my monthly updates delivered to your inbox: Episode...
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Google Classroom has a BIG new feature (Feb. EDU Updates)
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 February 2026! 👉 Links and notes for this episode: 📨 Get my monthly updates delivered to your inbox: Table of Contents: 2:07 Record videos in Google Classroom 6:14 AI suggested feedback 8:39 Premium Vids features for everyone! 11:38 Listen to your Document 16:03 Get musical with Gemini 19:59 Which version of...
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Google EDU Update: Wrapping up 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!). **Episode Sponsor: The Google Certification Academy** Registration for my winter cohort is now open! Earn your L1 AND Gemini Certification this winter: Here are my favorite links for December 2025: Improved PDF view for Google Drive NEW: Google Workspace Studio Five advanced NotebookLM Features Using AI to evaluate privacy policies Year in search 2025...
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Are Chromebooks ruining Education? (November Google EDU Update)
The Chromebook Classroom Podcast
The November Google EDU Update reveals how Gemini can save teachers 10 hours A WEEK! Plus, get the scoop on new features for rubrics, presentations, and math, and the NotebookLM study aids everyone is talking about. Don't miss the heated debate: Are Chromebooks ruining education? 🔖 SALE: Save 50% on access to my Wednesday Webinar Program: Detailed show notes for this episode: Here are my favorite links for and updates for November 2025: Improved rubrics for Google Classsroom Improvements for complex math formatting in Gemini Create Slide presentation with Google Gemini ...
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NEW Google Gemini Certification + 10 Gemini Tips
The Chromebook Classroom Podcast
** Episode Sponsor: Google Trainer Academy: ** Over the past month I’ve been able to visit a half-dozen different schools across the US sharing tips and ideas for using AI in the classroom. While there are a LOT of AI tools available, there’s one that I think is at the top of the list: Google Gemini. Gemini has become my go-to AI tool. It’s fast, flexible, safe, and free! Using Gemini with your school account means you get advanced features AND data privacy that’s not included with a lot of other applications (looking at you ChatGPT!). If you haven’t used Gemini recently, take...
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5 Cool things to try in your classroom this year
The Chromebook Classroom Podcast
As you set up your classroom and get ready for a new crew of students, you might be thinking, "What's something new I can try this year?" Each year I select five strategies, tools, or ideas you can use to engage your students and shake things up a bit. These five tools and strategies are all about making your life easier and your students' learning more engaging. Let's dive in! 👉 EPISODE SPONSOR: ----------------------------- Thanks for tuning into the ! If you enjoyed today's episode, I would appreciate your honest rating and review! You can connect with me, John Sowash,...
info_outlineThe Chromebook Classroom podcast is back with a special episode recorded live from Google's Chicago offices with special guest Liz Bocci. This episode dives deep into our experience at the recent Google Champions Symposium, an exclusive gathering of Google for Education's top educators.
Episode Sponsor
Interested in becoming a Google Champion? Join me and a small group of educators starting October 9 to become a Google Certified Trainer! This LIVE virtual experience will help you assemble your trainer application and portfolio. Learn more: GoogleTrainerAcademy.com.
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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!
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