iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

I'm VERY eager to explore assigning GEMS and #NOTEBOOKLM to students through #GoogleClassroom. The very first time I used NotebookLM I knew this was a perfect fit for Google Classroom! I'm so glad that Google is including this feature for all EDU domains!

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

📺 I put together this video to share some early screenshots and personal thoughts on some of these new features: youtu.be/LyaiSnyR0BQ

youtu.be

Google's BIGGEST Workspace EDU Update Ever | Full Breakdown

YouTube video by John R. Sowash

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

TODAY Google announced a BUNCH of great new updates! This year I'm especially impressed and excited by how many of these updates are FREE. Google is also expanding access to features that used to be premium (i.e. Google Vids) to EVERYONE! #GoogleEDU #ISTE2025

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

This week I am a featured speaker at the 2025 #MACUL conference in Detroit! Come join me for sessions on AI, #Chromebooks, #GoogleAdmin policies, and more! If you can't attend live, feel free to request my session resources: chrm.tech/macul25. Hope to see you there!

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Is anyone attending #MACUL next week? My first time was in 2005 as a student. My EdTech professor invited us to attend and said he would take anyone who came out to dinner. I was a poor college student, so this was a good deal! I've been attending ever since!

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

The #Chrome browser has a cool new tool bar that you can customize with shortcuts to useful features like creating a QR code, accessing your saved passwords, reading mode and more. Chrome settings > More Tools > Customize Chrome #ChromebookEDU #GoogleEDU

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Tomorrow (Jan. 28) is #DataPrivacyDay ! I collected a series of student lessons that you can use in your classroom: www.chrmbook.com/data-privacy/ Help students understand the importance of protecting their personal information! #GoogleEDU #TeacherTwitter #lessonideas

chrmbook.com

Data privacy lessons for K-12 students (10 different ideas)

Teach your students the important of data privacy! These 10 data privacy lessons will help your students learn about their digital footprint.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

🚀 Exciting #GoogleEDU updates from the #BETT 2025 conference in London! 🎉 My favorite update? The amazing "Class tools" for managing #Chromebooks in the classroom! 🖥️✨ But that's just the tip of the iceberg—check out my full summary for all the updates! www.chrmbook.com/google-updat...

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

I'm not on the "AI will save the world" bandwagon, but it's not going away, so I am trying to understand how to use it in a responsible and meaningful way.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

There's some interesting research being done related to word prediction in LLM that gives us greater insight into how humans use language to communicate. LLMs can do this at a scale humans can't handle.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

I have found it to provide some helpful insights and ideas. Not always, but sometimes. I guess I'm open to exploring new opportunities to see where they lead.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

AI is a reflection of the body of work it is trained on which is far broader than my understanding and experiences.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

Great feature! I have a YT video with instructions on how to set up the required admin role to make this possible.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

Cheers to 2024! 🥂 It was a full year with a few ups and downs. Gearing up for the challenges and adventures of 2025!

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

I think it all depends on how you use it and your expectations. I have found AI to be a good thought partner. It certainly doesn't eliminate my need to think critically, but it does offer a different perspective.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

One of the more useful premium features I am using is "custom building blocks" which make it easy to insert templates into @googledocs.bsky.social Today I'm planning a new YouTube video, so I'm inserting my video planning template. #googleEDU #EduSky #GoogleDocs

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

I'm using a modified AI chat bot from @schoolai.com for one of my puzzles. After solving a mystery, a secret word is revealed which is the combination to one of the locks. app.schoolai.com/student-spac...

app.schoolai.com

SchoolAI

AI-Powered Tutors and Learning Activities

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Heavily leaning on AI (Gemini) this year as I build my puzzles. Gemini wrote me a "night before Christmas" story with numerical clues for my four digit combination lock.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Oh, that is an interesting idea! It's less than 20 degrees outside at the moment, so maybe next year! 🥶

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

If you have any good puzzle ideas, let me know! My kids are getting smarter which means I have to work harder every year!

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

This morning I'm setting up our annual "Christmas Breakout" activity: www.chrmbook.com/christmas-br... At this point this has become an essential family tradition. The process of "breaking out" gives mom and dad time to get up, get ready and start breakfast while the kids are occupied. #edusky

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

This is definitely not an easy test. There are quite a few questions on situations that we don't deal with in education very often.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

I just passed the #ChromeOS admin exam (my certification expired last month). This exam is FREE until January 1, 2025. I have a free study guide (just updated!) that you can use to review: www.chrmbook.com/chromeos-adm... #edusky #GoogleEDU #GoogleAdmin

chrmbook.com

How to pass the ChromeOS administrator exam

Google announced a new ChromeOS administrator exam, so I took it! Here's what you can expect and how to prepare for this certification.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

Successfully took five kids skiing today. 😳 🏂⛷️

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

Hey Monica! Great to see you here! 🙌

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

📢 NEW PODCAST EPISODE 📢 Let's look back at the updates, developments, and #edTech trends from 2024 and consider what might be on the horizon for 2025. 🎧 Listen: chrm.tech/podcast 🎦 Watch: youtu.be/dk3QOljFTx0 📖 Read: chrmbook.com/s9e5/ #GoogleEDU #edusky

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

I hope they add the feature that will allow me to combine multiple documents into a tabbed doc. 😲

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Podcasting with students might sound like a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are five tips to help you begin podcasting with your students. 🎦 Watch the video: youtu.be/wI27Wp0RfRY?... #eduSky #teachingideas #GoogleEDU

youtu.be

Create Your First Student Podcast TODAY (Step by Step)

YouTube video by John R. Sowash

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Still good for banana bread! 🙄

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

About a year ago I started a new YouTube channel for #GoogleEDU admins. This channel has lots of videos on how to use the #AdminConsole to manage your users and devices. My latest video will walk you through the process of setting up a "dirty word" list for #Gmail: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N4z...

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Nice little trick if you do a lot of work in #GoogleSlides. #edusky #googleedu

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Reposted by John Sowash

Eric Curts @ericcurts.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

I created a Starter Pack and Feed for FETC 2025 - go.bsky.app/GGuX4NC - for anyone who is attending #FETC in Orlando this Jan 14-17. Let me know if you are attending and want to be added to the pack. This will be a great way for all of us to connect and share our learning! #EduSky #EdTech

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

DeWalt batteries from Home Depot!

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Can you walk me through the pros and cons of importing content from Twitter?

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

It does work, but there are some annoying aspects like file management, lack of camera support, and a lot more resource usage.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

I installed the Linux version of chrome so that I can continue using multiple accounts in the browser. I use default chrome for my primary and Linux for secondary. It works pretty well...a few bugs.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

I did a little project to test it out. I like that it is very similar to slides which makes it easy to get started. I wasn't super impressed with the AI creation part though. www.chrmbook.com/first-look-g...

chrmbook.com

Testing out Google Vids (first look!)

I received early access to Google Vids so I decided to test it out from the perspective of a classroom teacher.

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

I converted my Jamboard gratefulness wall into a @figjam activity: www.chrmbook.com/figjam-grate... Convert your #Jamboard files before Jan 1, 2025! #GoogleEDU #edTech

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John Sowash @jrsowash.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Have you spent much time with Vids? Thoughts?

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Reposted by John Sowash

Dr. Wanda Terral, EdD, CETL @wterral.bsky.social · 11/11/2024

I'm preparing to make the final departure from "the other" and want to contribute to #EduSky so here is a Starter Pack for some #GoogleEdu folks I know on here. More to be added. #GoogleChampions #GoogleEI go.bsky.app/M8Qo4rH

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