Chromebook turns 10
Tag Archives: Chromebooks
New features for Chromebook’s 10th birthday
New features for Chromebook's 10th birthday
Chromebooks launched 10 years ago with a vision to rethink computing by designing a secure, easy-to-use laptop that becomes faster and more intelligent over time. As more and more people began using devices running Chrome OS, we evolved and expanded the platform to meet their diverse needs.
Today, Chrome OS devices do everything from helping people get things done to entertaining them while they unwind. But we want to do more to provide a powerfully simple computing experience to the millions of people who use Chromebooks. We’re celebrating 10 years of Chromebooks with plenty of new features to bring our vision to life.
Move between devices with ease
More and more people are living in a world where they use multiple devices to work, keep in touch with loved ones and watch shows and movies. Today, we’re launching two solutions that help your Chromebook and Android phone work better together.
With Phone Hub, you now have a built-in control center that brings key capabilities from your Android phone to your Chromebook. Receive a text but your phone is out of reach? No problem. Respond to that message, check your phone’s battery life and cellular signal, turn on its hotspot and even locate it, all from your Chromebook. Phone Hub also shows the Chrome browser tabs you last opened on your Android phone, so you can pick up right where you left off.
We've also extended Wi-Fi Sync to work with more devices, making it easier and faster to get online. Your Chromebook can now automatically connect to trusted Wi-Fi networks you’ve used on your Android phone and other Chrome OS devices when signed in with the same Google Account — no need to enter in the credentials again.
In the coming months, you’ll also be able to use Nearby Share to instantly and securely share files between your Chromebook and other Chrome OS or Android devices. Nearby Share lets you send and receive without sharing contact details, so your information and files stay private.
These three features are just the beginning of the work we’re doing to bring Google helpfulness to more devices in your life. Stay tuned for more feature releases this year that help your devices work better together.
New features to get things done fast
We’ve redesigned key parts of the Chromebook experience based on your feedback and added new features that make it easy to get things done fast, so you can focus on your work, not your tools.
Quicker access to what’s important
The new Screen Capture tool in your Quick Settings menu lets you take precise screenshots and screen recordings without needing to remember keyboard shortcuts. Once you take a screen capture, it’ll instantly show up in Tote, a new space that keeps important files right at your fingertips. Open Tote from your Shelf and you’ll see all your recent downloads, recent screen captures and pinned files.
Your media controls are also now built directly into the Quick Settings menu, so you’ll always know where to go to play, pause or skip to the next song that you’re playing from the web or an Android app. You can pin this media player directly to your Shelf for immediate access.
We’ve also streamlined Chromebook setup for parents and guardians to highlight two important tools. Now when parents set up a new Chromebook using their child’s personal Google Account (managed with Family Link), they can immediately add a school account. Their child can then use school apps like Google Classroom while Family Link controls on their device still apply, so parents can supervise while they do homework. They can also assist their child in creating a PIN during setup, so signing in to their Chromebook is easier.
Save time as you tackle your daily tasks
With its new Clipboard, your Chromebook saves the last five items copied so you can easily paste any or all to a new page without needing to switch between windows. Just press the Everything Button + V to use your Clipboard.
There’s also Quick Answers, which automatically offers helpful information — like a definition, a translation or unit conversion — when you right-click a word. No need to open a separate tab to search for the answer.
We’ve supercharged Desks with enhancements to help you organize your workspace. Now when you reboot, all your windows will restore to their previous desks so your workflow isn’t interrupted. Right-click at the top of a window to send it directly to one or all desks, and swipe across your trackpad with four fingers to switch between desks. To get started with Desks, open Overview mode and create a new desk.
Helpful updates to existing features
Aside from new features, we’ve also enhanced several existing ones. For instance, you can now share files, images and links between apps in fewer steps. When you click “share” on a supported app or website, you’ll see a list of apps you can share content with directly. For example, you'll be able to share an image from your Files app to the Microsoft Word app, with just a few clicks.
Select-to-speak, which enables you to hear text read out loud, also has new controls that let you speed up, slow down and pause the reading voice in real-time, and easily jump to different sections of text. These are especially helpful for people with low vision and specific learning or print disabilities.
Last but certainly not least, the small things matter just as much as the big ones. The icons for your Chromebook’s built-in apps have a fresh new look, making it easier for you to find essential apps made for Chrome OS like Canvas and Explore.
Visit our website for more details about these features. We’re grateful to be celebrating this milestone, and we hope these launches help you get even more out of your Chromebook.
Source: The Official Google Blog
Chromebook turns 10: Looking back and moving forward
10 years ago, computing was complicated. Slow boot times, clunky hardware and intrusive updates were the norm. Computers were invented before the internet, and they hadn’t fully caught up to how people were using the web. So Google set out to design something new. The idea was to create a cloud-first experience that was fast, secure and easy to use — with software that stays up-to-date, automatically. A computer that boots up in seconds, and stays fast over time.
In 2011 we launched the first Chromebooks in partnership with Acer and Samsung. Today Chromebooks help millions of people stay connected while they work, study and stay entertained; this has never been more true than over the past year. As we celebrate the 10th birthday of Chromebook, we’re taking a look at how Chromebooks have evolved and where we’re headed.
For the past decade, we’ve stayed true to our original vision to make computing simpler and more accessible for everyone. Highlights include the Chromebook Pixel, the first Chromebook with a big, beautiful 3:2 touchscreen, which launched in 2013 and changed how people used their laptops. Then there was the first Chromebook with USB-C technology, introduced in 2015, enabling people to fast-transfer their data and charge their device quickly — all by using what’s now the universal standard. And in 2017 we launched Chromebooks with the Google-designed Titan C security chip to keep devices secure and protect user identity.
Plus, Chromebooks for Education has continued to help teachers and students modernize the learning experience, and Chromebook Enterprise has made IT administration simpler for businesses. Our Google Admin console fundamentally changed how devices are controlled, making it easy to manage thousands of Chromebooks centrally. It helps administrators get their school or business up and running in no time, and removes the day-to-day pains of running IT in large organizations.
All along the way, we remained committed to making all Chromebooks faster and smarter automatically, with updates that run in the background every few weeks.
Today, we work with several important partners — Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, AMD, Intel, MediaTek, Qualcomm, among others — to make Chromebooks of all shapes and sizes, and collaborate with over 20 Works With Chromebook partners like Anker and Logitech on compatible accessories so you can get the most out of your Chromebook. And with apps from the web and the Google Play Store, you can get more things done, boost your creativity or simply find fun ways to pass the time. If gaming is your thing, Cloud gaming platforms like Stadia and GeForce NOW are available on your Chromebook.
Here’s to the next 10
I remember getting my first computer and using it for just a handful of basic tasks; typing things up in a word processor, doing simple math with its calculator, things like that. Fast forward to today, where we bounce from work to school to watching shows and chatting with friends and family. We make all of these transitions across multiple devices — phones, tablets, laptops. And unlike the past, people should have access to their data and a consistent experience across all these tools. So today, we’re celebrating the 10th birthday of Chromebook by launching a suite of features for Chromebook that lets people move between devices with ease, and tools that drastically improve your productivity.
We are also continuing to make Chromebooks the best devices for teaching and learning, and to help businesses scale.
It's been 10 years, but this is still just the beginning. We’re continuing to find ways to make the Chromebook experience even more helpful for everyone. Examples include things like utilizing our artificial intelligence technology to help people proactively, integrating sensor technologies for more personalized experiences, expanding our portfolio of devices with cellular connectivity and working endlessly to make your devices work better together.
Our vision for Chromebooks is to keep helping people get things done and to provide helpful and secure experiences. So here’s to the next 10 years of delivering an intelligent, powerfully simple computer for all.
More from this CollectionView all 4 articles
Chromebook turns 10
Celebrate the 10th birthday of Chromebook with a look back and lots of new features.
Source: The Official Google Blog
Chromebooks get an education refresh
Chromebooks — which last year were largely used as classroom tools for writing reports and working on projects — are now the main way many students go to school. As distance learning takes place around the world, educators and students have had to quickly adapt to teaching and learning through Chromebooks. And along the way we’ve updated features and tools to make learning from anywhere easier.
This year, we have 40 new devices and accessibility improvements coming so that every student can learn the way they want to.
Tools to help educators teach from anywhere
Teachers have long recorded lessons to help students do homework and study for tests, but in the past year it’s become downright critical for virtual learning. Which is why we’ve built a screen recording tool right into Chrome OS that is coming in the latest Chromebook update in March. With this tool, teachers and students can record lessons and reports in the classroom and at home.
Easier ways for leaders to manage technology
Chrome Education Upgrade unlocks access to Google Admin Console, making it possible for schools to centrally manage massive fleets of Chromebooks. Now, there are over 500 Chrome policies in Google Admin Console, including new ones like Zero Touch Enrollment, which make it easier to deploy and manage Chromebooks at scale — even remotely.
As schools buy hundreds or even thousands of Chromebooks for teachers and students, it’s overwhelming to find the best device to purchase. To make it easier we’ve created a resource to help you find the right Chromebook for whatever you’re looking for — whether it’s in-class learning, virtual learning or devices for faculty and staff.
Updates that equip every student, everywhere
We’re launching over 40 new Chromebooks. Many of them include convertible Chromebooks that function like a laptop and a tablet, and come with a stylus, touchscreen, and dual-cameras for students to take notes, edit videos, create podcasts, draw, publish digital books and record screencasts. Every new Chromebook is equipped to deliver exceptional Google Meet and Zoom experiences — right out of the box. We also have devices that can better support students with limited access to the internet, or in countries with strong mobile broadband networks. These devices, called Always Connected devices, have an LTE connectivity option that allows you to connect via your preferred cellular network.
Making education products that work for all students, also means creating accessibility features. And it turns out these features are helpful to everyone — including people with disabilities. ChromeVox, our full-featured screen reader, has new features including improved tutorials, the ability to search ChromeVox menus, and smooth voice switching that automatically changes the screen reader’s voice based on the language of the text.
We are also making significant audio, video and reliability improvements to Meet on Chromebooks so it continues to work smoothly for everyone.
How we’re setting the bar higher
As many students are learning from home, it has become even more important for parents and guardians to help support their child’s learning, while also making sure they’re safe online. We’re making it possible for families to add a Google Workspace for Education account to their child’s personal Google Account managed with Family Link. This lets children still log into the apps and websites they need with a school account, while making sure parents can still set guidelines for device and app usage.
We’ll continue to listen and evolve Google for Education products so they benefit educators, leaders and students. To learn more about all of the upcoming improvements to Chromebooks and Chrome OS, subscribe to our Chrome Enterprise Release notes.
Source: The Official Google Blog
How we’re improving Meet’s performance on Chromebooks
Today, students everywhere are using computers more and more. Not only to complete schoolwork, but even to livestream their lessons. And they’re using the same networks as their parents, guardians and siblings, putting heavy demand on bandwidth.
No matter how today’s students are learning — at home, in a hybrid model or in school — they deserve a clear connection to educators and classmates. Making sure devices can handle video conferences all day while running various apps and software that require a lot of power is incredibly important. That’s why we’ve been focused on improving Chromebooks, so they can work harder in the background as teaching and learning proceed smoothly.
These Chrome OS updates will help students run video calls at home while they’re using apps like Google Classroom, Docs, Sheets, Slides and other tools, regardless of the device or the strength of their internet connections. Here’s how we’re making Chrome OS and Chromebooks even better behind the scenes.
Adapting to distance-learning challenges
In Chrome OS, we’ve improved how Meet videos are streamed. The improvements will make it easier for educators and students to choose a feature like grid view, where they can see images of other Meet attendees without affecting the performance of other apps. So if students are taking notes in a Google Doc while in a Meet, or running a Kahoot! game at the same time, they’ll be able to see everyone.
Better camera performance
We’ve also improved Chromebooks’ camera and video feed performance and efficiency by making sure that audio and video data don’t require any unnecessary processing. This means your device will have more processing power available for other tasks.
Meet now adjusts dynamically
We’re working on making Google Meet adapt more intelligently to your device, your network and what you’re working on. That means if students or teachers need to share their screens or take notes while in a Meet, the Meet’s video resolution or frame rate may be decreased slightly so that video performance doesn’t suffer. Meet will now also adapt to the speed of your network by temporarily turning off some video feeds, to make sure you’re not interrupted if many people are using your connection at the same time.
Features built with education in mind
Educators use Meet to run their virtual classrooms similarly to how they’d run class in person — they call on students to participate, send students into small groups and answer questions in real time. That’s why we’ve built features like hand-raising, digital whiteboards, polls, Q&A and breakout rooms, so educators can continue to use many of their in-person teaching methods in the virtual classroom.
Teaming up on Zoom improvements
Educators and learners who use Zoom should also see performance improvements during their videoconferences: Google and Zoom engineering teams have been working together on service enhancements for Chrome devices. Just like Meet, Zoom will adjust video performance based on devices in use and what participants are using their devices to do.
If you need more help getting the most out of videoconferencing, start by going over the basic hardware and software requirements for using Meet or Zoom. Plus, check out this training guide to strengthen your Meet skills, or sign up for this training for educators. And if you’re looking to support educators as well as students, help them by troubleshooting common issues with Meet.
Source: The Official Google Blog
Sign in to sites faster and personalize your lock screen
We’re always finding ways to make using Chromebooks as seamless as possible. Today, with our latest Chrome OS release, we’re introducing a faster sign-in experience as well as personalized lock screens.
And in case you missed it, we’ll share the exciting new Chromebooks that were recently announced at CES 2021.
Faster and easier web sign-in
Forget the hassle of typing in a long password or trying to remember which one you use for a specific online account. Now you can securely sign in to websites with the PIN or fingerprint you’ve set up to unlock your Chromebook with our new Web Authentication (WebAuthn) feature. Websites that support WebAuthn will let you use your Chromebook PIN or fingerprint ID—if your Chromebook has a fingerprint reader—instead of the password you’ve set for the website. And if you use 2-Step Verification to sign-in, your Chromebook PIN or fingerprint ID can be used as the second factor, so you no longer need to pull out your security key or phone to authenticate.
To get started, sign in to a supported website like Dropbox, GitHub or Okta, and you’ll be prompted to switch to using WebAuthn for future sign-ins.
Beautify your space with a personalized lock screen
The Chrome OS screen saver lets you transform your Chromebook’s lock screen into a personalized smart display. Show off your favorite photo album from Google Photos or pick from hundreds of art gallery images. You can use your lock screen to check information like the current weather and what music is playing; you’ll also be able to pause a track or skip songs without unlocking your device.
Go to your Chrome OS Settings and select Personalization > Screen saver to turn it on now.
ICYMI: New Chromebooks announced at CES 2021
From left to right: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2, ASUS Chromebook Flip C536 and Acer Chromebook Spin 514
Our partners, Acer, ASUS and Samsung, introduced five new Chromebooks earlier this month: The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 and the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 are among the first AMD Ryzen Chromebooks in the market and deliver great performance for work and play at an affordable price. There’s also the ASUS Chromebook Flip C536 and the ASUS Chromebook CX9, which are some of the first Chromebooks to come with the latest 11th generation Intel processors, so they’re a powerful option for working or streaming video. And the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is the first Chromebook to feature a QLED display; it has a thin, light design and comes in Fiesta Red and Mercury Gray.
That’s all for now—but check back here in March when we’ll have more news about what’s coming to Chromebooks.
Source: The Official Google Blog
Sign in to sites faster and personalize your lock screen
We’re always finding ways to make using Chromebooks as seamless as possible. Today, with our latest Chrome OS release, we’re introducing a faster sign-in experience as well as personalized lock screens.
And in case you missed it, we’ll share the exciting new Chromebooks that were recently announced at CES 2021.
Faster and easier web sign-in
Forget the hassle of typing in a long password or trying to remember which one you use for a specific online account. Now you can securely sign in to websites with the PIN or fingerprint you’ve set up to unlock your Chromebook with our new Web Authentication (WebAuthn) feature. Websites that support WebAuthn will let you use your Chromebook PIN or fingerprint ID—if your Chromebook has a fingerprint reader—instead of the password you’ve set for the website. And if you use 2-Step Verification to sign-in, your Chromebook PIN or fingerprint ID can be used as the second factor, so you no longer need to pull out your security key or phone to authenticate.
To get started, sign in to a supported website like Dropbox, GitHub or Okta, and you’ll be prompted to switch to using WebAuthn for future sign-ins.
Beautify your space with a personalized lock screen
The Chrome OS screen saver lets you transform your Chromebook’s lock screen into a personalized smart display. Show off your favorite photo album from Google Photos or pick from hundreds of art gallery images. You can use your lock screen to check information like the current weather and what music is playing; you’ll also be able to pause a track or skip songs without unlocking your device.
Go to your Chrome OS Settings and select Personalization > Screen saver to turn it on now.
ICYMI: New Chromebooks announced at CES 2021
From left to right: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2, ASUS Chromebook Flip C536 and Acer Chromebook Spin 514
Our partners, Acer, ASUS and Samsung, introduced five new Chromebooks earlier this month: The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 and the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 are among the first AMD Ryzen Chromebooks in the market and deliver great performance for work and play at an affordable price. There’s also the ASUS Chromebook Flip C536 and the ASUS Chromebook CX9, which are some of the first Chromebooks to come with the latest 11th generation Intel processors, so they’re a powerful option for working or streaming video. And the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is the first Chromebook to feature a QLED display; it has a thin, light design and comes in Fiesta Red and Mercury Gray.
That’s all for now—but check back here in March when we’ll have more news about what’s coming to Chromebooks.
Source: The Official Google Blog
Get creative with Chromebooks
When inspiration strikes, you can turn to Chromebook to get creative. To help you get started on artistic hobbies, we’re explaining how simple it is to draw, edit photos, make movies, animate and design on Chromebook—thanks to creativity apps and new Perks. We’re also showcasing new built-in wallpapers that were designed by professional artists using a Chromebook and stylus. Plus, recent software updates for Chromebook styluses make writing or drawing feel like you're putting real pen to paper.
Up the contrast, tweak the brightness
Load your photos on Chromebook and adjust the lighting and saturation to make your nature photography look its best. Access your photos on your Chromebook through Google Photos, an SD card, an external hard drive—or wherever you have your pictures stored.
For simple editing, adjust images with the built-in gallery app on Chromebooks, which we recently improved with intuitive crop, rescaling and lighting features.
We improved the built-in gallery app on Chromebooks for simple photo editing.
For more advanced editing, Chromebooks also support Adobe Lightroom, Photopea, BeFunky and more. Photopea, for instance, lets you import PSDs, Sketch Files and .XCF files, edit them and save them back to your local hard drive right from the web.
Apps like Adobe Lightroom make it easy to edit photos on Chromebooks.
Your inner videographer
Whether you’re making a short film or documenting a family milestone, you can stitch together and create video content on a Chromebook. Chromebooks support easy-to-use video editing software like WeVideo and Kapwing. You can also use Clipchamp to create, edit and post videos on social media easily.
Edit videos, create custom frames and add audio on a timeline with Clipchamp.
Design, animate, illustrate
You can channel your inner Picasso when using your Chromebook. Build joyful animations with Adobe Spark, create professional and easy-to-share designs with Canva or Figma, and bring your creative vision to life with sketching apps like ArtFlow and Concepts.
Chromebooks enable you to design in the cloud, with tools like Adobe Spark.
Visit our website to find more apps that help you express your creativity on Chromebooks.
Kickstart your creativity on Chromebook today with Perks
Chromebook users get access to special deals on apps—which we call “Perks.” We just launched new creativity perks to encourage people to try out some great photo editing, video editing and design apps. The new Perks include a few months of free premium access to WeVideo, Adobe Spark, Canva and more. On your Chromebook, visit chromebook.com/perks to redeem these benefits and kickstart your creativity.
A bundle of creativity offers are available to Chromebook users today.
*Terms apply.Wallpapers built on Chromebook, for Chromebook
Chromebooks are suited for people who have creative hobbies, and for people who are artistic in their day jobs. To explore the creative potential of Chromebooks, our team worked with Dutch artist Rick Berkelmans, who runs a design studio in the Netherlands and recently began exploring digital illustration on Chromebook. Rick used the built-in Chrome Canvas app with a stylus to design wallpapers just for Chromebooks, using a Chromebook.
Check out a behind the scenes look into Rick’s studio and his creative process with Chromebook:
10:25
Wallpapers built on Chromebook, for Chromebook
Artist Rick Berkelmans runs a one-man design studio in the Netherlands called Hedof. Dive into his creative space and hear what inspires him as an illustrator and how he’s used a Chromebook for digital illustration.
Now, anyone whose device has the latest Chrome OS update can right click their home screen and choose “Set wallpaper” to access Rick’s designs.
An example of one of Rick’s new wallpapers, built-in with the new Chrome OS update.
Smooth drawing and natural handwriting
Finally, we recently improved the Chromebook on-screen keyboard for stylus by strengthening on-device handwriting recognition. This makes the on-screen keyboard better at recognizing different types of handwriting and annotations. So when you finish your next masterpiece and want to email it to a friend, you can do it all without putting down your stylus.
The Chromebook on-screen keyboard has evolved to enable natural annotations with a stylus.
When you write or draw with a stylus on Chromebook, it feels as natural as using real pen and paper. Look out for more stylus and handwriting updates soon.
Source: The Official Google Blog
Get creative with Chromebooks
When inspiration strikes, you can turn to Chromebook to get creative. To help you get started on artistic hobbies, we’re explaining how simple it is to draw, edit photos, make movies, animate and design on Chromebook—thanks to creativity apps and new Perks. We’re also showcasing new built-in wallpapers that were designed by professional artists using a Chromebook and stylus. Plus, recent software updates for Chromebook styluses make writing or drawing feel like you're putting real pen to paper.
Up the contrast, tweak the brightness
Load your photos on Chromebook and adjust the lighting and saturation to make your nature photography look its best. Access your photos on your Chromebook through Google Photos, an SD card, an external hard drive—or wherever you have your pictures stored.
For simple editing, adjust images with the built-in gallery app on Chromebooks, which we recently improved with intuitive crop, rescaling and lighting features.
We improved the built-in gallery app on Chromebooks for simple photo editing.
For more advanced editing, Chromebooks also support Adobe Lightroom, Photopea, BeFunky and more. Photopea, for instance, lets you import PSDs, Sketch Files and .XCF files, edit them and save them back to your local hard drive right from the web.
Apps like Adobe Lightroom make it easy to edit photos on Chromebooks.
Your inner videographer
Whether you’re making a short film or documenting a family milestone, you can stitch together and create video content on a Chromebook. Chromebooks support easy-to-use video editing software like WeVideo and Kapwing. You can also use Clipchamp to create, edit and post videos on social media easily.Edit videos, create custom frames and add audio on a timeline with Clipchamp.
Design, animate, illustrate
You can channel your inner Picasso when using your Chromebook. Build joyful animations with Adobe Spark, create professional and easy-to-share designs with Canva or Figma, and bring your creative vision to life with sketching apps like ArtFlow and Concepts.
Chromebooks enable you to design in the cloud, with tools like Adobe Spark.
Visit our website to find more apps that help you express your creativity on Chromebooks.
Kickstart your creativity on Chromebook today with Perks
Chromebook users get access to special deals on apps—which we call “Perks.” We just launched new creativity perks to encourage people to try out some great photo editing, video editing and design apps. The new Perks include a few months of free premium access to WeVideo, Adobe Spark, Canva and more. On your Chromebook, visit chromebook.com/perks to redeem these benefits and kickstart your creativity.
A bundle of creativity offers are available to Chromebook users today.
*Terms apply.Wallpapers built on Chromebook, for Chromebook
Chromebooks are suited for people who have creative hobbies, and for people who are artistic in their day jobs. To explore the creative potential of Chromebooks, our team worked with Dutch artist Rick Berkelmans, who runs a design studio in the Netherlands and recently began exploring digital illustration on Chromebook. Rick used the built-in Chrome Canvas app with a stylus to design wallpapers just for Chromebooks, using a Chromebook.
Check out a behind the scenes look into Rick’s studio and his creative process with Chromebook:
10:25
Wallpapers built on Chromebook, for Chromebook
Artist Rick Berkelmans runs a one-man design studio in the Netherlands called Hedof. Dive into his creative space and hear what inspires him as an illustrator and how he’s used a Chromebook for digital illustration.
Now, anyone whose device has the latest Chrome OS update can right click their home screen and choose “Set wallpaper” to access Rick’s designs.
An example of one of Rick’s new wallpapers, built-in with the new Chrome OS update.
Smooth drawing and natural handwriting
Finally, we recently improved the Chromebook on-screen keyboard for stylus by strengthening on-device handwriting recognition. This makes the on-screen keyboard better at recognizing different types of handwriting and annotations. So when you finish your next masterpiece and want to email it to a friend, you can do it all without putting down your stylus.The Chromebook on-screen keyboard has evolved to enable natural annotations with a stylus.
When you write or draw with a stylus on Chromebook, it feels as natural as using real pen and paper. Look out for more stylus and handwriting updates soon.
Source: The Official Google Blog
Technology can help facilitate courageous conversations
In my classroom, making connections with students was at the center of my teaching practice and became vital for student success. Educators are not monolithic. We are counselors, caregivers, social workers and student advocates. As the lines between school and home have blurred, guardians also play those roles in supporting their child with hybrid or distance learning. Teachers in school and families at home are looking for resources to communicate with their students and children about the world around them. Through the use of Google tools and apps and content from our partners, educators and families can begin to have these courageous conversations.
Google tools can help you connect with students
Use Google Forms for daily mood check-ins, Google Meetto connect one-on-one with students, or younger students can use Google Drawings or Jamboard to illustrate how they’re feeling. For lesson plans and resources, check out Be Internet Awesome for online safety, and G Suite for Education additional services like Applied Digital Skills for lessons for educators on well-being, and Blogger as a journaling tool for students to channel their emotions and communicate how they are feeling. The Google Teacher Center offers a free training module with tips to foster creative community building whether teaching in-person or remotely. Families can also head to Google's digital wellbeing page for guides and resources for managing screen time and talking about digital wellbeing, as well as social-emotional learning (SEL).
These apps can help, too
Chromebook apps like Classcraft, ClassDojo, Peppy Pals, Wisdom - Kingdom of Anger, and Headspace help students learn how to express their emotions, and apply what they’ve learned in school to their lives outside the classroom. You can find all of these apps on the Chromebook App Hub, along with great ideas on how to use apps like Adobe Spark for social-emotional learning. Additionally, Sanford Harmony has a curriculum designed to support social emotional learning to develop students into compassionate and caring adults.
Creating space to have courageous conversations
Many educators are finding it challenging to have conversations about social justice or racial inequity with students, especially while remote learning. There are many great resources out there from Google partners, including NEA EdJustice’s guide on creating space to talk about race or Tolerance.org’s empathy through critical discussion and listening are great places to start. These resources can foster understanding and support as students process complex societal issues. There are also many book recommendations and conversation guides from The Conscious Kid to help facilitate hard conversations and talks about identity.
Advice and resources from educators around the world
It’s also important for educators to lean on their community right now, as they’re impacted by these changes and are responsible for talking to their students about them. You can join a Google Educator Group, a global group of educators who share best practices and ideas. We’re also hosting Twitter chats to bring educators around the world together, including one today at 3pm PST on social-emotional learning with Dwayne Reed.
More ideas for social emotional learning
If you’re looking for more ideas for improving student SEL, visit the website forCASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning), which offers resources such as webinars, more on Common Sense Media's app recommendations, and Lalilo’s SEL Lessons and Activities for Distance Learning. You can watch our webinar on SEL, and visit Teach from Anywhere, Google’s hub of information and tools to help teachers during COVID-19.
