Chrome extensions are little utilities that add additional features and functions to the Chrome browser. Most IT admins are familiar with extensions like GoGuardian or Securly for managing student technology use, but there are many additional extensions that can improve classroom instruction.
Let’s take a look at your existing extension policy and some additional tools that might be useful for staff and students.
Understanding Google admin extension policies
There are three policies for managing Chrome extensions:
- Block everything, whitelist approved extensions – this is the policy I recommend for students. They will only be able to install the extensions you approve.
- Allow everything, manage blocklist – this is the policy I recommend for staff. You might want to add a few problematic extensions (like Honey) to your block list to prevent data scraping.
- Disable webstore, push all extensions – this is the most drastic option that will prevent all access to the Chrome webstore. IT admins will need to “push” extensions to users.
I like to give students the ability to self-install the Chrome extensions that are approved. This gives them ownership of their device and some personal freedom and expression. This also allows teachers to instruct students to install a special subject-specific extension (like a math extension) so that I don’t have to push the resource to everyone, including students who don’t need it.
Chrome Extensions for Learning
Chrome extensions can simplify and improve classroom instruction! Each year, I recommend that you review your learning environment to make sure you are properly supporting the tools that you have purchased. Does your textbook have an extension? Do you pay for accessibility features with an extension? Have you purchased access to edTech tools like PearDeck, Kami, or Screencastify that offer an extension? If so, make sure these tools are available for your staff and students!
There are also lots of FREE tools that can help teachers and students. Each year I update my list of recommended extensions. You can download my free list of 15 extensions that you might want to add to your whitelist below.
Security Groups for special extensions
Security groups are a great way to manage access to specialized extensions that only a handful of users need to access. Upper level math and computer science classes provide a common use-case.
By creating a security group called “Equatio extension” I can force-install or allow a special extension for a sub-set of users. This is helpful for IT-related extensions as well, like Chrome Remote Desktop or the Chrome recovery utility.
Perform an app audit
If you have been using extensions for a while, it might be a good idea to see which tools your staff and students are actually using.
Performing an “app audit” will show you which tools are popular, and which ones haven’t taken off. You might be surprised to learn that no one is using that edTech tool you pay for, but everyone is using this random tool you’ve never heard of.
Before you can perform an app audit, you need to make sure that app usage reporting is enabled for your domain. This will collect the necessary information about what resources users have installed. It will take 24-48 hours for this data to be collected after this report is enabled.
Learn more about this topic:
- Google Support: allow or block apps and extensions
- Google Support: control access with security groups
- Video: Managing extensions for staff and students
- Video: what apps and extensions are your students using?
- Video: enable app usage reporting
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