Google Apps and Chromebooks for Special Education and Special Needs

The following link has a plethora of resources for using Google to help accommodate students.

Google for Special Education and Special Needs

Neat use of Read & Write for Google

As my students are claiming to be finished editing and revising their writing, I realized that they sure are missing some very clear errors that I can't believe they aren't seeing.  After all, as I read these drafts I am hearing egregious mistakes that have me baffled.  Then it hit me that they aren't "hearing" their errors.  Therefore, today I had my students use Read & Write for Google to help students "hear" their errors.  This little application available in the Chrome Web Store works wonderfully by highlighting some text and hitting the play button.  While the reading voice is a tad robotic, it works well enough to allow students those "What did that just say?!" moments that equate to significant improvements in the writing.

Once you’ve added the extension in the chrome web store, just click on the Read and Write puzzle piece:  

The toolbar will drop down:

Highlight some text in your document, click on the play button,

and the text will be read to you.

Yes, the Chromebook can do most of what the iPad can do

As an educator piloting Chromebooks in a school district previously dominated by Apple products, I keep hearing over and over again how the Chromebook can’t do this, that, AND the next thing that are all possible on the iPad.  While there absolutely are iPad apps that are not available for the Chromebook, in most cases, there are alternative applications available in the Chrome Web Store.  No, they may not work the same way or produce the same exact product, but if they can transform learning for students, then does it matter if it is a different app????

Fortunately, I’m here to share ideas for making the most of your Chromebook(s) and I’m going to focus this post on the greatest Chromebook myths of all...“Students can’t create with Chromebooks.”  Hmmm...ok, time for

• Video editing - Do you like iMovie?  If so, let me introduce you to
• Not only can you perform simple edits of recorded video, but you can enhance videos with advanced features like green screen, voiceover, and music.
• Screencasting - Record what is happening on your device’s screen, which is perfect for how-to videos.
• Collaboration - Guess what, it gets even better!  Since Wevideo is a cloud based service, it allows multiple users to collaborate and work on the same video project from different locations.  Yes...you and your friend can work together while you each sit on your own couch at home.
• Explain Everything - How about using .  Say whaaaat???  Yeah, that’s right, it is available in the Chrome Web Store.
• QR Codes - How about (Pssst...the little square is for QR Code Generator, which is available in the Chrome Web Store)  Create or scan QR codes.
• Tellagami - Ok, so I don’t have a great substitution for this one that performs the same way (Hey, Tellagami Labs, are you listening here?!).  However, will allow your students a simple way to create fun, animated presentations.
• Creative Book Builder - The best alternative is , which is a free service to use.  However, pictures will NOT transfer to the ebook.

What other creative apps or ideas are you using with Chromebooks?  Feel free to post a response and share.

Get the most out of your Google Drive!

If you and your students have access to the Google ecosystem and you aren't using Google Drive consistently, you need to start NOW!  The basic features in Google Drive can and will take your classroom's efficiency and collaboration to a new level.  If you are ready to go beyond the basics, check out this article for some additional features to take advantage of.

5 cool Google Drive features you probably aren't using...yet