Knowing how to utilize your Chromebook for teaching can really help both you and your students excel in the classroom. Below are some useful tips that will help get you started with expanding your knowledge of your Chromebook’s capabilities when it comes to classroom use and collaboration.

Use Chromebook apps. Chrome Web Store is full of different applications that help with specific tasks. Simply search the Chrome Web Store for Apps and Extensions, decide on which apps you’d like to utilize, and click “Install.”

Save and view bookmarks from the web. You can save webpages by bookmarking them, which allows you to quickly and easily access them again whenever you’d like. To save a web page, either click the star icon on the right side of your address bar when you’re on the page you’d like to save, or go to the Chrome menu, then “Bookmarks,” and then “Bookmark this page.” You can also simply press “Ctrl+D” to create a bookmark.

Store files in Google Drive. All Chromebooks come with free Google Drive storage. It’s great for saving storage room on your device, as well as accessing your files from anywhere – including offline. To use your Google Drive, open your browser and go to http://drive.google.com. You will already be logged in, thanks to your Chromebook. On your main Google Drive page, you will find multiple folders. “My Drive” is your main storage area for all of your files. “Shared With Me” contains files shared with you by others via Google Drive. When you work on a shared file, Google Drive will automatically update the file for everyone that is able to access it. The “Starred” file is for documents you deem especially important, while “Recent” documents are documents that have been created or edited most recently. And, obviously, the “Trash” folder is where files go after you delete them.

Know how to screenshot. Screenshots are great for creating tutorials or quickly saving and sharing information or pictures. To capture an image of your entire screen, hit “Ctrl+”switch window.” To capture just a part of your screen, hit “Ctrl+”switch window” and simply drag the crosshairs around what you want to screenshot.

Add languages to your keyboard. If you’re teaching a foreign language, you can easily add languages onto your keyboard. Simply go to “advanced settings,” select “languages and input settings,” and either select a language or add a new one that isn’t already featured. The bottom right of your screen lets you know which language your keyboard is programmed to. You can click there to switch between languages, or press “Alt+Shift.”

Know how to use accessibility features. Accessibility features are imperative for students with certain disabilities or just even general trouble with learning. Your accessibility features are located under “settings,” then “show advanced settings.” There, you will find an “accessibility” section that lets you customize your settings according to what works best for both you and your students.