30 Days of Google Classroom: A Guide for Future Educators

Day 25: Exploring Add-ons & Extensions for Google Classroom – Enhancing Your Teaching Toolkit

Introduction

Google Classroom is a powerful platform, but add-ons and extensions can take it to the next level by providing additional functionality. From grading tools and interactive quizzes to plagiarism checkers and video integrations, these tools help streamline teaching and improve student engagement.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best Google Classroom add-ons and Chrome extensions that enhance your teaching experience.

What Are Google Classroom Add-ons?

Add-ons are integrated tools within Google Classroom that allow you to extend its functionality without leaving the platform.

How to Access Google Classroom Add-ons

Open Google Classroom and navigate to the Classwork tab.
Click Create > Assignment or Quiz Assignment.
Click Add-ons (puzzle piece icon) to explore available options.
Select an add-on and follow the setup instructions.

💡 Tip: Some add-ons require Google Workspace for Education accounts for full functionality.

Top Google Classroom Add-ons for Teachers

✔ Pear Deck – Turn Google Slides into interactive presentations with student responses.
✔ Kahoot! – Create engaging quizzes and live games.
✔ Edpuzzle – Embed questions into YouTube videos and track student comprehension.
✔ BookWidgets – Create interactive exercises like flashcards, timelines, and quizzes.
✔ Formative – Assign interactive assessments with real-time grading.
✔ Nearpod – Design multimedia lessons with quizzes, polls, and VR experiences.
✔ EquatIO – Easily create math equations and graphs for STEM lessons.

💡 Tip: Many add-ons offer free versions, but premium features may require a subscription.

Must-Have Chrome Extensions for Google Classroom

Chrome extensions provide extra features that enhance how you use Google Classroom. Install them from the Chrome Web Store.

Best Chrome Extensions for Teachers

✔ Mote – Record voice comments for student feedback.
✔ Kami – Annotate PDFs, highlight text, and provide digital feedback.
✔ Grammarly – Improve grammar and clarity in assignments.
✔ Loom – Record screen and webcam videos for lesson explanations.
✔ CheckMark – Save time by inserting quick feedback comments in Docs.
✔ Screencastify – Create and share tutorial videos directly in Classroom.
✔ Dualless – Split your screen for multitasking while grading or planning lessons.

💡 Tip: Encourage students to use Read&Write for Google Chrome, which provides text-to-speech and accessibility tools.

Best Practices for Using Add-ons & Extensions

✔ Choose tools that align with your teaching goals – Avoid overwhelming students with too many apps.
✔ Test add-ons before using them with students – Ensure they integrate well with your workflow.
✔ Use interactive tools sparingly – Focus on quality, not quantity, to maintain student engagement.
✔ Monitor student privacy – Ensure extensions comply with school data policies.
✔ Train students on new tools – Provide quick tutorials before expecting students to use them independently.

What’s Next?

Now that you’ve explored add-ons and extensions, in Day 26, we’ll look at customizing Google Classroom for different subjects and teaching styles.

What are your favorite Google Classroom add-ons or extensions? Share your recommendations in the comments!