To Chrome or Not to Chrome?
Chromebooks have great potential and are starting to make more of an appearance in schools, however Chromebooks will not fulfil everyone's needs.
Chromebooks are backed by the power of Google and run on Google's operating system (Chrome OS.) Chromebooks have various advantages over most iPads and netbooks and laptops, including.
However, there are disadvantages of purchasing Chromebooks:
Watch the video below to learn more about Chromebooks and to see Chrome OS in action:
Chromebooks are backed by the power of Google and run on Google's operating system (Chrome OS.) Chromebooks have various advantages over most iPads and netbooks and laptops, including.
- Their price point; Chromebooks retail from $AU329.
- Their start up time (approx 8-15 seconds, depending on their configuration).
- Most schools are already making the switch to Google Chrome Apps and Google Apps for Education to deliver lesson content, all of which are the backbone of Chromebooks.
However, there are disadvantages of purchasing Chromebooks:
- They are primary designed to rely on a working internet connection (as many of the built-in apps are designed to be used whist the user is connected to the internet) so some of the more popular apps on the Chromebook may not actually be able to be used/saved if users do not have access to an internet connection.
- They generally only have 16GB of local (in-built) storage as they rely on users signing up for a free 100GB of online storage via a linked Google Account.
- Various apps that Chromebook users need can be also be used by anyone with a Windows, Mac or Linux PC by using the Chrome App Launcher.
- The amount of apps in the Chrome Web Store cannot compare to that of Apple's App Store or the Google Play store (Google have recently adapted four of Android's most popular apps to be suitable for Chromebooks).
- Microsoft and HP are currently working towards releasing Windows-based laptops to compete with the price of Chromebooks1.
Watch the video below to learn more about Chromebooks and to see Chrome OS in action:
The Implemention/Deployment of Chromebooks in Educational Settings
The implementation/deployment of Chromebooks in schools normally occurs in one of three ways:
- one-to-one (access 1-to-1 essentials planning tools here)
- school sets (e.g. a set of Chromebooks to be shared across the school via booking or timetabled arrangements)
- class sets (e.g. 1 Chromebook for every 5 students).
1. School Owned vs Student Owned
Schools must decide whether they are going to keep ownership of the Chromebooks or seek for parents to pay for the devices (as an additional payment on top of school fees). Each has its own advantages and disadvantages:
1.1. Student Owned
If students own their own Chromebook, they are responsible for:
- its safe keeping
- the bringing of the device to school, and
- the payment of the apps they want/need to use
- the implementation of age restrictions for apps .
Choosing this option has its pros and cons:
Pros
- Schools ensure that when new Chromebook models hit the market that they are not locked into having older models around the school for the next five-ten years
- Schools do not have ongoing costs (such as the purchasing of apps or the fixing of broken screens).
Cons
- Some parents may not be able to afford the devices
- Students may forget to bring their Chromebook to school when it is needed for an activity, so alternatives have to be planned
- It can lead to some students not having the apps that they need to use in class as they cannot afford them
- Student may not be able to install apps as their parents do not give them the password for their Chrome Web Store account, therefore than can be a 24 hour delay between a teacher needing an app to be installed (or teachers need to give 24 hours notice for students to install an app for use at school the next day)
- Students and parents are responsible for maintenance and care of their device and may need to purchase an extended warranties in addition to any standard warranty.
1.2 School Owned
Choosing this options has its pros and cons:
Cons
- Schools can manage the content on the Chromebooks via administration tools (see below)
- When new Chromebook models hit the market they are locked into having older models around the school (therefore they must implement hardware migration plans)
- Schools have ongoing costs (such as the purchasing of apps or the fixing of broken screens if a student is not found to be at fault)
- Schools are responsible for maintenance and care of their device and may need to purchase an extended warranties in addition to the standard warranty
- Accidental damage or stolen devices may be covered under a school's insurance plan.
Pros
Schools are able to:
- Potentially purchase Chrombooks in bulk at a lower price via arrangements with vendors
- Purchase lower-cost apps when purchased in bulk (such as this example)
- Manage Chromebooks at an individual, class or whole school level including setting age-restrictions on apps.
Chromebook Administration
Whilst schools can set up restrictions on Chromebooks and restrict internet use via school filters, there are also various options for the real-time monitoring and restricting of Chromebooks.
NetSupport
NetSupport
NetSupport Assist for Mac/Linux and NetSupport School for ChromeOS and Google Chrome Browser (All Platforms) (student | tutor), Android (student | tutor), iOS (student | tutor, and Windows are both paid (with a free 30-day trial) management solutions that gives teachers the ability to simultaneously instruct and visually/audibly monitor, as well as interact with their students, individually, as a pre-defined group or to the whole class.
NetSupport Schools also contains a customised testing suite, dedicated technician console, the ability to shutdown and control any application or PC, manage student printing, digital student revision aids, lesson planning tools and the option for teachers to reward students for good effort. It also contains the ability to stop data being copied from a computer onto a USB, DVD or CD.
Watch the videos below and then click here to access easy-to-read detailed overviews of the many other features of NetSupport Schools.
NetSupport Schools also contains a customised testing suite, dedicated technician console, the ability to shutdown and control any application or PC, manage student printing, digital student revision aids, lesson planning tools and the option for teachers to reward students for good effort. It also contains the ability to stop data being copied from a computer onto a USB, DVD or CD.
Watch the videos below and then click here to access easy-to-read detailed overviews of the many other features of NetSupport Schools.
Chromebook Apps
The Chrome Web Store allows users to download and purchase apps, extensions and themes for the Google Chrome browser (or Chrome OS device). Read below for a list of highly useful apps available for download in the Chrome Web Store for both personal and educational settings.
Note: As many of the apps on the Chrome Web Store are web-based apps, some can be added into the Google Chrome browser on a Chromebook, Windows, Mac, iOS or Android device. Simply look for the "+ Add to Chrome" button.
Click here to learn more about Chrome Apps for Windows/Mac/Linux or navigate below to discover more about the Chrome apps that are suitable for use in educational settings.
Click here to learn more about Chrome Apps for Windows/Mac/Linux or navigate below to discover more about the Chrome apps that are suitable for use in educational settings.
Chrome Apps for Education
Whilst apps can be purchased from the Chrome Web Store (see more details and reviewed apps below), Google has created Chrome App Packs consisting of groups of popular applications from the Chrome Web Store that are tailored to meet students' needs. The App Packs are only available for Google Apps for Education customers.
The apps can be accessed when users sign in to their Chromebook and are also available on a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer when users sign in to the Chrome browser with a Google Apps account.
The App Packs save teachers time, offer discounts for bulk app purchases, and help teachers find the best apps by category and grade level. Many of these apps integrate with Google Drive to provide an easy way to turn in homework, and many of these apps offer lesson plans for teachers.
The App Packs are groups of Chrome web apps bundled by grade level:
Each App Pack has 3 types of Chrome web apps:
Click here to learn more about how to deploy the App Packs.
The apps can be accessed when users sign in to their Chromebook and are also available on a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer when users sign in to the Chrome browser with a Google Apps account.
The App Packs save teachers time, offer discounts for bulk app purchases, and help teachers find the best apps by category and grade level. Many of these apps integrate with Google Drive to provide an easy way to turn in homework, and many of these apps offer lesson plans for teachers.
The App Packs are groups of Chrome web apps bundled by grade level:
- Elementary School (K - 5)
- Middle School (grades 6 - 8)
- High School (grades 9 - 12)
Each App Pack has 3 types of Chrome web apps:
- Free: These apps are provided free of charge.
- Freemium: These apps are provided free of charge, but a premium is charged for advanced features.
- Paid: Many of these apps come with a demo version, but cost money to use the full version.
Click here to learn more about how to deploy the App Packs.
Lesson & Activity Dissemination Apps
There are a number of apps and software packages that can be used to disseminate lessons and activities in whole-class, small group and one-to-one scenarios.
Splashtop
Splashtop Education allows teachers (or students) to share content from a PC or Mac simultaneously across multiple Chromebooks, iPads or Mac OSX screens, allowing a user to control, annotate and then share content to every students' one-to-one device.
Prices:
- Students: Free (Splashtop Classroom)
- Teachers: (Splashtop Education) Promotion $10/per teacher for 1st year: $50 per teacher, per year, after year 1. For Site License contact [email protected]. Download from a 14 day free trial here.
Smoothboard Air
Smoothboard Air allows teachers to broadcast a Windows PC screen onto student tablets, smartphones, laptops (e.g. Chromebooks) or PCs to allow them to view and interact with lesson materials on their own personal screen. Watch the video below to learn more:
Students need a QR Code Reader installed on their Chromebook to scan the QR code from the teacher's screen to activate each learning session.
Download Smoothboard Air for PC from here (Note: Also requires Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 - download it here).
Download Smoothboard Air for PC from here (Note: Also requires Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 - download it here).
System Apps
Chrome Remote Desktop
Price: Free
Description: Access a Windows, Mac or Linux PC on a Chromebook though Chrome browser. Watch the video below to learn more:
Price: Free
Description: Access a Windows, Mac or Linux PC on a Chromebook though Chrome browser. Watch the video below to learn more:
Chromebook users can also access their Chromebooks via any:
- Android device by installing the following Chrome Remote Desktop on any Android device
- PC or Mac by installing BlueStacks and then downloading Chrome Remote Desktop.
Productivity Apps
The following apps are directly aimed at enhancing the productivity of students and staff.
Microsoft Office Online
Whilst Chromebooks are naturally designed around the use of Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides, Microsoft Office is also available to Chromebook users.
Once the Office Online apps has been launched, sign in via a Microsoft Account, click on File and select Share to enable others to access and edit your document/spreadsheet/presentation.
If the user(s) already have a legitimate copy of Microsoft Office on a Windows or Mac PC, they can continue working with the full power of Word, PowerPoint, and Excel applications. Click on the apps below to start collaborating with others to simultaneously create/edit Microsoft Office files: |
Speech-To-Text (Dictation)
Dictanote - Speech Recognizer
Price: Free
Description: This is a powerful dictation app that works on any device. Converts speech to text quick than you could type. Watch the video below to learn more:
Price: Free
Description: This is a powerful dictation app that works on any device. Converts speech to text quick than you could type. Watch the video below to learn more:
Video Conferencing
Hangout
Description: Whilst Skype is not available for ChromeOS, Hangout allows Chromebook users to video chat with up to 10 people, regardless of whether the person/people they are talking to are using a Chromebook, PC or Mac, Android or iOS device. This app can be useful for communication when students are working in projects outside of school hours.
Watch the video below to learn more:
Description: Whilst Skype is not available for ChromeOS, Hangout allows Chromebook users to video chat with up to 10 people, regardless of whether the person/people they are talking to are using a Chromebook, PC or Mac, Android or iOS device. This app can be useful for communication when students are working in projects outside of school hours.
Watch the video below to learn more:
Teaching & Learning Apps
Evernote (Android Port)
Price: Free
Description: Evernote saves both the audio and the text file together so users can use the app's search ability to find a recorded note.
Price: Free
Description: Evernote saves both the audio and the text file together so users can use the app's search ability to find a recorded note.
Evernote Web
Price: Free
Description: Evernote saves both the audio and the text file together so users can use the app's search ability to find a recorded note.
Price: Free
Description: Evernote saves both the audio and the text file together so users can use the app's search ability to find a recorded note.
QR Code Generator
Price: Free
Description: QR-Codes from URLs, Text Messages, Phone Numbers, Free Text or Contacts (vCard). It also allows to scan/read QR Codes if a webcam is available.
Price: Free
Description: QR-Codes from URLs, Text Messages, Phone Numbers, Free Text or Contacts (vCard). It also allows to scan/read QR Codes if a webcam is available.
Comic Webcam
Price: Free
Description: Create comics using the Chromebook's camera and the filters and camera effects contained with Comic Webcam.
Price: Free
Description: Create comics using the Chromebook's camera and the filters and camera effects contained with Comic Webcam.
Kids Sight Words (Android Port)
Price: Free & Paid
Description: This app was developed to help children learn 220 sight words. This app works offline.
Price: Free & Paid
Description: This app was developed to help children learn 220 sight words. This app works offline.
More Chromebook Apps
Due to the infancy and the open source of Chrome OS, before installing any apps from the Chrome Web Store, always read the user reviews.
Education apps for Chromebooks can be divided into four categories:
Education apps for Chromebooks can be divided into four categories: