Google Announces Android Apps for Chromebooks - Very Nice!!

Yesterday, Google Announced the first 4 Android Apps that are available for Chromebooks. This is really nice.

What got me excited was that Evernote was one of the first 4. Evernote is my main work and home tool so this was pretty cool to hear. I installed it on my Chromebook (Acer C720) and loved it - looks and works like the Android app. And the best part: OFFLINE SYNC! That's right, you can sync notebooks offline (premium users - well worth the $45 a year) just like in Android. This has now made my Chromebook the perfect device. Offline Google Apps (Gmail and Docs) and now Offline Evernote. I have no need for a windows laptop, even when I'm out of range of WiFi or 4G. I love it!

And, Google said more and more are coming. This is a great thing that shows that Google just keeps advancing their stuff



Here is the official announcement:  

First set of Android apps coming to a Chromebook near you
Posted: Thursday, September 11, 2014

Chromebooks were designed to keep up with you on the go—they’re thin and light, have long battery lives, resume instantly, and are easy to use. Today, we're making Chromebooks even more mobile by bringing the first set of Android apps to Chrome OS:

Duolingo - a fun and free way to learn a new language before your next trip
Evernote - write, collect and find what matters to you, with a full-size keyboard and touchscreen
Sight Words - a delightful way for you to help improve your child's reading skills
Vine - create short, beautiful, looping videos in a simple and fun way

These first apps are the result of a project called the App Runtime for Chrome (Beta), which we announced earlier this summer at Google I/O. Over the coming months, we’ll be working with a select group of Android developers to add more of your favorite apps so you’ll have a more seamless experience across your Android phone and Chromebook.

In the meantime, please tell us which of your favorite Android apps you’d like to see on your Chromebook.

Posted by Ken Mixter, Software Engineer & Josh Woodward, Product Manager (Android Dreamers)

Google announces Google Educator Groups - great resource for educators

Yesterday Google announced the launch of Google Educators Groups. This is a program made up of communities of educators who can connect with each other to learn, share, and help each other. While it is mainly online, there are real-world meetups and events as well.

This is a great resource for educators. See below for more information and to sign up for a group or even create your own (I signed up for the NYC one as there isn't one in Connecticut, YET).

Google for Education

Today we are pleased to announce the launch of Google Educator Groups (GEG), a program supporting communities of educators who learn, share, and inspire each other to meet the needs of their students through technology solutions, both in the classroom and beyond. GEG empowers educators around the world to expand their social and professional networks, and gain skills to deliver the best possible education through open technology.

GEG takes place both online and offline, and provides a space for educators to build relationships, collaborate, and learn through Google+ communities and hangouts or in-person events and workshops. Whether you’re a teacher, professor, or principal, anyone is welcome to join GEG to learn. Each group is organized by a local volunteer (GEG leader) and is entirely independent from Google.

Interested in joining a GEG or starting a new one? Check out the website at www.google.com/landing/geg to learn more, spread the word, and get involved. See you in GEG!

Related:
Google for Education Resources

Google for Education CT Summit - June 21-22, 2014, Greenwich, CT

I will be presenting at the Google for Education CT Summit on June 21st, 2014 on Chromebook and Google Apps deployments. The Summit is two days, with presentations and workshops by a variety of educators, Google Certified Teachers, Google staff and more.

It's a great event with some great learning and sharing planned.

Here is the event website: http://connecticut.appsevents.com/

Here is the event Google+ Page: https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cdmsgr0sqmq20iaht6frk95ek6s?authkey=CLeunPTcr9jknwE

Join us!

Google announces 5 New GAFE Courses for Teachers and Admins

Google has an excellent selection of free courses and training materials for Google Apps and more. (see a bunch here).

They have just announced 5 new online courses for teachers and administrators on Google for Education that were designed by educators.

New Courses include: Internet 101, Apps for Education, Gmail, Drive, Chrome and Chromebooks. They are self paced and well designed.

You can find the new courses here: https://educourses.withgoogle.com/course

This is a great resource for all educators.


Google for Education Resources:
http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/p/google-for-educators_22.html

Google Apps and Chromebooks Training Resources

I put this list together for our district as we are going with GAFE and Chromebooks and I figured I'd share it here too. 

Google Apps and Chromebooks Training Resources


Google Apps for Education (GAFE)

• GAFE Training Center http://edutraining.googleapps.com/
• Learn how to use GAFE http://learn.googleapps.com/
• GAFE User Guides http://deployment.googleapps.com/Home/user-resources/documentation-templates
• Google in Education - Teacher Resources http://www.google.com/edu/teachers/index.html
• Google for Educators Resources http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/p/google-for-educators_22.html
• GCF Learn Free - Google Training http://www.gcflearnfree.org/google
• Google Apps Crib Sheets http://goo.gl/EBN5O 
• Recordings -- Innovative Chromebook Teachers - Hangout on Air Series
• 100 Tips for Google Chrome http://www.chromestory.com/100_Chrome_ChromeOS_And_ChromeBook_Tips_Ebook.pdf

Google Drive

• https://www.udemy.com/googledriveeducators
• http://edutraining.googleapps.com/Training-Home/module-4-docs
• http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-convert-microsoft-office-files-to-google-docs-on-your-chromebook
• Intro to Google Drive for Educators http://youtu.be/LcoppNExlZE
• Introduction to Google Drivehttp://youtu.be/wKJ9KzGQq0w
• How to Open and Edit Word Files in Google Drive http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/12/how-to-open-and-edit-word-files-in.html

Chromebooks

• Product Page for Chromebooks http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/landing.html
• Introducing the Chromebookhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVqe8ieqz10
• Chromebook user Guide http://www.chromestory.com/chromebook-user-guide/
• Chromebook EDU site https://sites.google.com/site/chromebookedu/home
• Chromebook Central - Chromebook user group - https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups=&hl=en#!forum/chromebook-central
• Chromebooks for Education Overviewhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSbZQNJwPuI
• Guided Tour of Chrome OS (Chromebooks)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntLPcVAyNPE
• What Chromebooks can and can’t do http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/google-in-the-enterprise/your-questions-answered-what-chromebooks-can-and-cant-do/106
• 70 Tips for Mastering Chrome OS http://www.chromestory.com/google-chromebook/

• Android for Education Resources http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/p/android-for-education.html

Miscellaneous Computer and Tech Help
Free online resources on computers  http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computers