Two Helpful Chrome Updates: Reading Mode and Split View

Teacher laptop--AI generated

Google Chrome recently introduced two features that significantly streamline digital workflows in the classroom: Reading Mode and Split View. These tools are designed to reduce visual clutter and simplify multitasking, making digital content more accessible for both teachers and students.

Enhancing Focus with Reading Mode

Online articles are often crowded with ads, sidebars, and autoplay videos that distract students. Reading Mode creates a simplified environment focused exclusively on the text.

Key Functionality:

Beyond stripping away distractions, Reading Mode includes a robust Read Aloud feature. Chrome can narrate the text while highlighting words in real-time, providing essential support for:

  • Differentiated Instruction: Supporting students who process information better auditorily.
  • Literacy Support: Helping emergent readers and ELL students connect spoken and written language.
  • Accessibility: Providing a cleaner interface for students with dyslexia or visual impairments.

How to Use It:

  1. Right-click anywhere on a webpage.
  2. Select “Open in reading mode” from the menu.
  3. A side panel will open with the text. Use the toolbar to adjust narration speed, voice type, and text size.

Streamlining Multitasking with Split View

Managing multiple open tabs is a challenge during research or grading. Split View allows you to display two different pages side-by-side within a single browser window without the need for manual resizing.

Key Applications in the Classroom:

  • Research & Synthesis: Students can view a primary source on one side and a note-taking document on the other.
  • Efficient Grading: Keep a grading rubric visible on one side while reviewing student submissions.
  • Lesson Planning: Reference curriculum standards while building out a slide deck.

Open in split view option

How to Use It: There are three primary ways to activate Split View:

  • Enable the Toolbar Icon: Click the 3 dots in the upper left corner in Chrome. Select more tools, then Customize Chrome. Enable the “Open in split view” option. This button will appear between the Refresh button and Omnibox/URL bar. 
  • Drag and Drop: Click and drag an existing tab to the far left or right edge of the Chrome window until a highlight appears, then release to snap it into place.
  • Right-Click: Right-click any link and select “Open link in split view” to immediately view it alongside your current page.

We encourage you to try these workflows in your next lesson.

Save Time with Chrome Toolbar Customization

Chrome toolbar customization

Chrome 132, the first major update of 2025, brings a long-awaited feature: customizable toolbars for desktop users.

How to Customize:

  • Access Customization: On the New Tab Page, click “Customize Chrome” in the bottom right corner.
  • Choose Your Tools: Select the buttons you want to appear to the left or right of the address bar from the following categories:
    • Navigation: Home, Forward
    • Your Chrome: Password Manager, Bookmarks, Reading List, History, Delete Browsing Data
    • Tools & Actions: Print, Search with Google Lens, Translate, Create QR Code, Reading Mode, Copy Link, Send to your devices
  • Rearrange and Enjoy: Drag and drop icons to organize your toolbar. Most will open in the convenient side panel.

menu to customize Chrome toolbar

Teacher Tips:

  • “Send to your devices” is helpful to send links from your phone to your laptop (if both logged into Chrome)
  • “Search with Google Lens” provides quick access to visual information, perfect for exploring images and concepts.
  • Create QR Code: No need for a fancy extension, Chrome can generate a QR code for you.
  • Enhance Workflow: Pin frequently used tools like “Bookmarks” or “History” for easy access.
  • Translate: Support multilingual learners with quick access to translate materials.

Note: Toolbar customizations sync across all your desktop Chrome browsers.

To Update Chrome:

  1. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
  2. Go to “Settings.”
  3. In the left sidebar, select “About Chrome.”

By customizing the Chrome toolbar, teachers can create a more efficient and personalized browsing experience.

Important Note: This is available on desktops and laptops but is not currently available for Chromebooks. Hopefully, it will be incorporated soon so students can take advantage of these features.

Two Great Google Updates

Easy Share Button

In the latest update for Chrome, you’ll now see a share icon in the link address bar. Click that “sharrow” and you be able to copy the link or get a QR code with a few less clicks.

image showing share icon in omnibar

Go Pageless in Google Docs

More and more teachers are going “paperless” in their classrooms. As a result, you might not like making formatting adjustments when an image, table, or something else falls right around a page break. Google Docs now gives you the option to “pageless.” View the video below to find out how and see why it might be helpful.

More information from Google on this update.

 

A reminder, access to Flash-based browser content ends next month

Adobe Flash

Adobe Flash has been supporting online games, content, and interactive features since 1996. But with changes in technology, other mediums such as HTML5 which are more power-efficient, more secure, and faster, Flash has become less and less popular. At one point 80% of the interactive content on the internet was Flash-based. By 2017, that number was down to 17%. Noting the continual decline and lack of support across the industry, Adobe determined an End of Life (EOL) date of December 31st, 2020 for the plugin.

What does this mean?

Many different learning websites including sites such as Starfall and CoolMathGames were entirely Flash-based. When the announcement by Adobe was made to end Flash (plugin player support/updates and distribution), many websites started to convert their interactive content to HTML5 and other delivery mechanisms. However, it is up to websites to make this transition. So, as you are planning different learning activities for students, please ensure that you have vetted the website to see if it relies on Flash. A way to check to see if a site uses Flash, Right-clicking on any part of a website will make a box appear with options you can click on. If you see Zoom in at the top of the box and About Adobe Flash Player at the bottom of the box, then you know that you have Flash on the website.

If the site migrates to open web standards (such as HTML5), you shouldn’t notice much difference except that you’ll no longer see prompts to run Flash on that site. If the site continues to use Flash, and you give the site permission to run Flash, it will only work through the end of 2020 or possibly a bit earlier (Chrome v.87 might not have the player built in).

  • You can check if you have a version of Flash player in Chrome by typing chrome://components into the address bar. If you have Adobe Flash Player installed, you may still be able to play Flash content, but it’ll need to be enabled first.

For more information please check out these articles:

https://www.blog.google/products/chrome/saying-goodbye-flash-chrome/

https://theblog.adobe.com/adobe-flash-update/

https://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/flash-player-in-chrome-is-dead-in-2020-how-to-play-flash-files/