As a teacher, your time is valuable—and every second saved during the school day counts. Whether you’re managing Google Classroom, responding to student questions, or toggling between multiple tabs during a lesson, being efficient with your Chromebook can make a world of difference. That’s where Chromebook shortcuts come in. These quick commands help streamline daily tasks and reduce the need for constant clicking, making your workflow smoother and your day a little less hectic.
In this blog, we’re highlighting essential Chromebook shortcuts that are especially useful in the classroom. From snapping windows side by side for lesson planning to quickly accessing the shelf or taking screenshots, these tips are designed to simplify your digital teaching experience. Even a few new Chromebook shortcuts can help you stay more organized and focused while using ChromeOS. Let’s dive into the shortcuts that can help you teach smarter, not harder.
1. Split Screen: Alt + [ or Alt + ]
Managing multiple windows is much easier with the split screen Chromebook shortcut. Pressing Alt + [ or Alt + ] snaps your active window to one side, allowing you to open Google Slides or Google Classroom on one side while referencing a lesson planning document or Google Drive folder on the other. Teachers often juggle apps like timers, YouTube, or Chrome tabs, and this shortcut helps you stay organized without constantly resizing windows. It’s a simple trick to maximize your teaching efficiency and stay focused in a busy digital classroom.
2. Take a Screenshot: Ctrl + Show Windows
Need to quickly document student work or a tech issue? Press Ctrl + the Show Windows key (the rectangle with two vertical lines) to capture a full screenshot of your Chromebook display. This can be useful for creating visuals for tutorials, saving digital work samples, or tracking ChromeOS issues to report to IT. Many educators use screenshots to build step-by-step tutorials for students or share content across platforms like Google Docs and Google Classroom.
3. Open File Manager: Alt + Shift + M
This Chromebook shortcut opens the Files app instantly, giving you fast access to apps, saved files, or templates in Google Drive. Whether you’re downloading materials, organizing student assignments, or creating a new folder, pressing Alt + Shift + M saves time during class. It’s especially helpful when you need to pull up lesson content or worksheets quickly without disrupting your teaching flow. With just a few keys, your Chromebook becomes an even more powerful tool for classroom management.
4. Reopen Closed Tab: Ctrl + Shift + T
Ever closed the wrong tab during a lesson? Don’t worry—Ctrl + Shift + T will bring it right back. This shortcut is a lifesaver when you accidentally exit a resource, Google Docs file, or new tab you meant to keep open. It’s one of those hidden Chromebook shortcuts that can save your momentum during live instruction.
5. Text Editing Shortcuts: Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V / Ctrl + X / Ctrl + 0
Teachers spend a lot of time formatting assignments and creating content. That’s why mastering Chromebook shortcuts like Ctrl + C (copy), Ctrl + V (paste), Ctrl + X (cut), and Ctrl + 0 (reset zoom) is essential. These commands help you keep your documents clean and readable, whether you’re building a quiz in Google Docs or adjusting content for different learners. Combine them with the cursor or arrow keys to edit on the fly during class or prep time. They’re also useful when troubleshooting formatting errors or making quick updates.
Chromebook Shortcuts: A Game Changer
Mastering a few Chromebook shortcuts can have a big impact on your day-to-day teaching. Whether you’re navigating Chrome, editing documents, or managing multiple apps at once, these tools are designed to help you work faster and more efficiently. As you incorporate these Chromebook tips into your routine, you’ll find yourself spending less time clicking and more time connecting with your learners. Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and let your Chromebook do more of the work for you.
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