Chromebook's are better than iPads for many schools. They're better on price. They're easier to manage. And they're simpler to learn because they do so much less.
Apple is a high end luxury electronics company. It's not surprising that Chromebooks are taking over the educational space in some areas.
I'm not worried about Apple, they'll innovate their way to the top of the high end tablet market and they will continue to grow sales of their excellent laptops.
I'm more worried for Windows. Chromebook's in school's is a Trojan Horse leading to eroding sales of Windows laptops in my opinion.
A single button in what development tool? Android Studio? All I've found documentation on is the ARC Welder tool (which still shows as being beta and only runs on ChromeOS afaict).
Archon Packager for Android, just choose the apps you want to run on ChromeOS, the apps display orientation, click convert and than just copy the file ober to Google Drive so you can easily access it from your ChromeBook. Works great and very easy to use, a none technical person could do it with ease. Archon Packager is available in the Google Play Store.
Archon Packager for Android, just choose the apps you want to run on ChromeOS, the apps display orientation, click convert and than just copy the file ober to Google Drive so you can easily access it from your ChromeBook. Works great and very easy to use, a none technical person could do it with ease. Archon Packager is available in the Google Play Store.
Ah, I see. That tool is created for use from the standpoint of someone who has an Android device and wants to package up the apps they've downloaded from Google Play and run them on a Chromebook. As mentioned at the bottom of this page, ARChon Packager isn't supported by Google and requires users to turn on "developer mode", so it definitely seems to be for personal use only (and has the potential to be used for piracy).
I'm talking about from the standpoint of a software developer who has created an application for Android, released it on the Google Play store, and now wants to bring it over to ChromeOS and distribute it to customers through the Chrome webstore. As discussed here, Google has only allowed certain apps to be brought over from Android to ChromeOS and distributed through the webstore (since the official tool for doing it, ARC Welder, is still in beta).
Question for those who use Chromebook's are you able to run 2 browsers at the same time?
Thanks for any help.
Kind of, if you install Linux in a Chroot you can run FireFox, Opera, Chromium, etc. and you can also also install an Android web browser like Dolphin, Maxthon, Firefox, Opera, etc. Why do you need to run another browser. If you want to run a native browser under Chrome OS you'll have to compile it within a custom Chrome OS build, not hard to do but you need to know now how to hack Linux and of course compile a custom Chrome OS image.
All these computers in primary and secondary education in the US, and our kids still score below almost every other modern nation. Do you think we should be concerned about which OS they are using? Kids in the US need less technology and more emphasis on dedicated study, not just watching a computer screen. I think they need to put down the cell phone. Every cell phone should be in airplane mode while at school. Every kid having a computer at school is just baby sitting. They are supposed to be engaged with the teacher and the class while in the classroom. They can use a computer to do their homework, at home, or the library. They only need computers in computer science classes.
Now get off my lawn.
Oye, oye, oye ... Well said!
... here's a selfie of me not using my cell phone in class ...
I have cringe inducing memories of parents descending on the school board meeting some 25 years ago demanding the school district invest in Windows PCs so their children would learn to use “real” computers, the computers they would use when they got jobs. Of course those who went on to study graphic arts, desktop publishing, music, etc. were stunned to find out they would be using Macs. My son went to the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL. He said he walked into the engineering computer lab for freshmen to find it was 100% Macs. I’m guessing a lot of students found out that there were “real” computers other than Windows PCs in those days.
Gartner is famous for making statements that suggest their paying customers are seeing big growth in markets, especially those where Apple has had a foothold. This, even when the truth of the matter may be exactly the opposite.
Unfortunately, I don't doubt this at all. The district where I teach, after dabbling with iPads has gone all in with Chromebooks. We will soon be 1 on 1--my school will be next year. I think it is 90% cost and keyboard pushing the decision. Google docs integration is maybe the last 10%...
I can't stand them, and there still is NO print option--students have to save to docs and then open the doc on a PC in the Media Center to print. Currently at least 10% of the Chromebooks are out for repair--and this is their first year! They are supposed to last at least 2 more years!
Still, the district my kids are in is going there too. My kids love them and Google definitely picks up some cool factor in their eyes. They still want MacBooks, though. Gotta play Minecraft...
Apparently, the Chromebooks are far better than iPads (if there is a comparison) for administrators in schools. Also, multiple logins and so on.
The $199 HP Stream looks like a good choice for schools, but runs Windows and we know about the security issues and all of that and the cost there.
Chromebooks are great for schools and our district recently bought thousands of them.
The other big issue with Windows is how hard it is to set up and run a networked room of them. The average teacher is not able, so a technical staff is required.
Working in a public K12 tech department I can confirm this, at least for my school district.
We still have almost 1 iPad cart per school, but they are close to impossible to manage. Students aren't supervised with the devices resulting in a hodgepodge of configurations per cart. When that rare need for them is present, a staff member is needed to babysit each device to ensure they are setup properly and have the apps they need.
Chromebooks on the other hand have next to zero maintenance. A building tech can "re-image" them in seconds, never needing application installs, and they work well for general computing devices. We have roughly 500 iOS devices in our district spanning a length of time from 2010 to 2013. We haven't boughten iPads in bulk since the iPad 4. We have reached almost 3k Chromebooks with 15 more carts on order. The hardest part about Chromebook deployment is turning them on to gather the mac addresses, but even that is painless. We've deployed several Chromebox labs as well.
My biggest concern however is the impact of this lightweight OS on student technological knowledge. As some of the lower wealth school are starting to use Chromebooks in technical heavy classes.
I thought Apple had created software that allowed a group of iOS devices to be wiped and re-purposed as a group. Maybe I misunderstood how that was to done.
Gartner is famous for making statements that suggest their paying customers are seeing big growth in markets, especially those where Apple has had a foothold. This, even when the truth of the matter may be exactly the opposite.
Unfortunately, I don't doubt this at all. The district where I teach, after dabbling with iPads has gone all in with Chromebooks. We will soon be 1 on 1--my school will be next year. I think it is 90% cost and keyboard pushing the decision. Google docs integration is maybe the last 10%...
I can't stand them, and there still is NO print option--students have to save to docs and then open the doc on a PC in the Media Center to print. Currently at least 10% of the Chromebooks are out for repair--and this is their first year! They are supposed to last at least 2 more years!
Still, the district my kids are in is going there too. My kids love them and Google definitely picks up some cool factor in their eyes. They still want MacBooks, though. Gotta play Minecraft...
Well, 10% is okay, I think. It's still cheaper to have 5+ computer than 1 MacBook - at least for schools. I've had my $100 one (refurbished, after $20 rebate) for over a year and it works great. It's my everyday computer.
Chromebook's are better than iPads for many schools. They're better on price. They're easier to manage. And they're simpler to learn because they do so much less.
Apple is a high end luxury electronics company. It's not surprising that Chromebooks are taking over the educational space in some areas.
I'm not worried about Apple, they'll innovate their way to the top of the high end tablet market and they will continue to grow sales of their excellent laptops.
I'm more worried for Windows. Chromebook's in school's is a Trojan Horse leading to eroding sales of Windows laptops in my opinion.
I agree with you except being worried about Windows... it will arrive at the fate it earned... just not as soon as it ought to.
Wonder why? The print option certainly is there on consumer Chromebooks.
Honestly, I have no idea. It may not be a technical issue--maybe they just don't want 1,000 kids to have always on access to the printers...think of the paper costs!
Honestly, I have no idea. It may not be a technical issue--maybe they just don't want 1,000 kids to have always on access to the printers...think of the paper costs!
I have been involved with school technology since 1982.
The transition to Chromebooks is the fastest change I have seen in school technology, except for the 'overnight' change from 16 mm reels of film to VHS tape many, many years ago.
Factors that are driving the change:
1) Many schools now have 1Gb Internet connections.
2) Robust wireless networks with an access point in every classroom that easily handle all the devices.
3) Google's products are free to schools -- unlimited Gmail, unlimited storage for every user, Google Classroom, Google Vault, etc.
4) For tech administrators, easy to create OUs (Organizational Units) for faculty, staff, and students, plus OUs to manage hardware.
5) Free, timely, tech support from Google.
6) Price - Schools can buy a decent Chromebook for about $200-215 per device. A 13 inch touchscreen Chromebook is about $310 for schools
7) Chromebook deployment is simple for the IT department - much easier than iPads.
I attended a regional meeting for school tech directors last week for districts in our area of Illinois. Every district is ordering ChromeBooks for next school year. Depending on the size of the district, they are ordering 90 to 1600 Chromebooks. Not a single district had any plans to purchase iPads (Some of the districts do have an installed base of iPad 2s, -mostly shared carts - being used in grades K-2).
Apple Education had a presentation for tech directors, principals and Curriculum Directors in our region today related to iPads. A couple years ago the room was filled - today there were only 3 attendees. The Apple Education reps did indicate that they are expecting revised and improved iPad management tools to be announced at WWDC, but it is too late. The education market in our area is all about Google and Chromebooks - the switch has been so rapid that most people outside of schools are not even aware of the change.
Why, because they use a piece of hardware that you don't like. How can using a Chrome OS device destroy a childs sensibilities. The ChromeBook is just used as a gateway to online or local web orientated educational materials. Really though, who cares what they use if the results are the same, the future of computing is the web anyway as traditional desktops like OSX and Windows will soon disappear the way of the DoDo bird.
Why, because they use a piece of hardware that you don't like. How can using a Chrome OS device destroy a childs sensibilities. The ChromeBook is just used as a gateway to online or local web orientated educational materials. Really though, who cares what they use if the results are the same, the future of computing is the web anyway as traditional desktops like OSX and Windows will soon disappear the way of the DoDo bird.
It's a gateway to tracking my child. NOTHING IS FREE OR CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ok, can you tell me then how a web app can access the camera on a device and show a live feed of it? I was researching that the other day and came up with nothing. I could only find a way to grab still images from the camera.
Sorry, I completely missed this. There are actually quite a few apps that you can use to record/stream video, here are some of my favorites,
Screencastify
TechSmith's Snagit app and extension combo
ClipChamp
MediaCore Capture
Than of course there's YouTube and Hangouts. As far as web casts are concerned, what service do you use now as I'm sure you can also use it on your ChromeBook as most of them are web services. There are also some really decent web based security apps for Android that can stream live video of your spaces. Just look through what's available in both the ChromeStore and Play Store, I'm sure you'll find something usefull.
Comments
Scotty, beam this man up!
Chromebook's are better than iPads for many schools. They're better on price. They're easier to manage. And they're simpler to learn because they do so much less.
Apple is a high end luxury electronics company. It's not surprising that Chromebooks are taking over the educational space in some areas.
I'm not worried about Apple, they'll innovate their way to the top of the high end tablet market and they will continue to grow sales of their excellent laptops.
I'm more worried for Windows. Chromebook's in school's is a Trojan Horse leading to eroding sales of Windows laptops in my opinion.
Archon Packager for Android, just choose the apps you want to run on ChromeOS, the apps display orientation, click convert and than just copy the file ober to Google Drive so you can easily access it from your ChromeBook. Works great and very easy to use, a none technical person could do it with ease. Archon Packager is available in the Google Play Store.
Question for those who use Chromebook's are you able to run 2 browsers at the same time?
Thanks for any help.
Archon Packager for Android, just choose the apps you want to run on ChromeOS, the apps display orientation, click convert and than just copy the file ober to Google Drive so you can easily access it from your ChromeBook. Works great and very easy to use, a none technical person could do it with ease. Archon Packager is available in the Google Play Store.
Ah, I see. That tool is created for use from the standpoint of someone who has an Android device and wants to package up the apps they've downloaded from Google Play and run them on a Chromebook. As mentioned at the bottom of this page, ARChon Packager isn't supported by Google and requires users to turn on "developer mode", so it definitely seems to be for personal use only (and has the potential to be used for piracy).
I'm talking about from the standpoint of a software developer who has created an application for Android, released it on the Google Play store, and now wants to bring it over to ChromeOS and distribute it to customers through the Chrome webstore. As discussed here, Google has only allowed certain apps to be brought over from Android to ChromeOS and distributed through the webstore (since the official tool for doing it, ARC Welder, is still in beta).
Kind of, if you install Linux in a Chroot you can run FireFox, Opera, Chromium, etc. and you can also also install an Android web browser like Dolphin, Maxthon, Firefox, Opera, etc. Why do you need to run another browser. If you want to run a native browser under Chrome OS you'll have to compile it within a custom Chrome OS build, not hard to do but you need to know now how to hack Linux and of course compile a custom Chrome OS image.
Oye, oye, oye ... Well said!
... here's a selfie of me not using my cell phone in class ...
I have cringe inducing memories of parents descending on the school board meeting some 25 years ago demanding the school district invest in Windows PCs so their children would learn to use “real” computers, the computers they would use when they got jobs. Of course those who went on to study graphic arts, desktop publishing, music, etc. were stunned to find out they would be using Macs. My son went to the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL. He said he walked into the engineering computer lab for freshmen to find it was 100% Macs. I’m guessing a lot of students found out that there were “real” computers other than Windows PCs in those days.
Unfortunately, I don't doubt this at all. The district where I teach, after dabbling with iPads has gone all in with Chromebooks. We will soon be 1 on 1--my school will be next year. I think it is 90% cost and keyboard pushing the decision. Google docs integration is maybe the last 10%...
I can't stand them, and there still is NO print option--students have to save to docs and then open the doc on a PC in the Media Center to print. Currently at least 10% of the Chromebooks are out for repair--and this is their first year! They are supposed to last at least 2 more years!
Still, the district my kids are in is going there too. My kids love them and Google definitely picks up some cool factor in their eyes. They still want MacBooks, though. Gotta play Minecraft...
The other big issue with Windows is how hard it is to set up and run a networked room of them. The average teacher is not able, so a technical staff is required.
I thought Apple had created software that allowed a group of iOS devices to be wiped and re-purposed as a group. Maybe I misunderstood how that was to done.
Gartner is famous for making statements that suggest their paying customers are seeing big growth in markets, especially those where Apple has had a foothold. This, even when the truth of the matter may be exactly the opposite.
Unfortunately, I don't doubt this at all. The district where I teach, after dabbling with iPads has gone all in with Chromebooks. We will soon be 1 on 1--my school will be next year. I think it is 90% cost and keyboard pushing the decision. Google docs integration is maybe the last 10%...
I can't stand them, and there still is NO print option--students have to save to docs and then open the doc on a PC in the Media Center to print. Currently at least 10% of the Chromebooks are out for repair--and this is their first year! They are supposed to last at least 2 more years!
Still, the district my kids are in is going there too. My kids love them and Google definitely picks up some cool factor in their eyes. They still want MacBooks, though. Gotta play Minecraft...
Well, 10% is okay, I think. It's still cheaper to have 5+ computer than 1 MacBook - at least for schools. I've had my $100 one (refurbished, after $20 rebate) for over a year and it works great. It's my everyday computer.
I agree with you except being worried about Windows... it will arrive at the fate it earned... just not as soon as it ought to.
Honestly, I have no idea. It may not be a technical issue--maybe they just don't want 1,000 kids to have always on access to the printers...think of the paper costs!
I have been involved with school technology since 1982.
The transition to Chromebooks is the fastest change I have seen in school technology, except for the 'overnight' change from 16 mm reels of film to VHS tape many, many years ago.
Factors that are driving the change:
1) Many schools now have 1Gb Internet connections.
2) Robust wireless networks with an access point in every classroom that easily handle all the devices.
3) Google's products are free to schools -- unlimited Gmail, unlimited storage for every user, Google Classroom, Google Vault, etc.
4) For tech administrators, easy to create OUs (Organizational Units) for faculty, staff, and students, plus OUs to manage hardware.
5) Free, timely, tech support from Google.
6) Price - Schools can buy a decent Chromebook for about $200-215 per device. A 13 inch touchscreen Chromebook is about $310 for schools
7) Chromebook deployment is simple for the IT department - much easier than iPads.
I attended a regional meeting for school tech directors last week for districts in our area of Illinois. Every district is ordering ChromeBooks for next school year. Depending on the size of the district, they are ordering 90 to 1600 Chromebooks. Not a single district had any plans to purchase iPads (Some of the districts do have an installed base of iPad 2s, -mostly shared carts - being used in grades K-2).
Apple Education had a presentation for tech directors, principals and Curriculum Directors in our region today related to iPads. A couple years ago the room was filled - today there were only 3 attendees. The Apple Education reps did indicate that they are expecting revised and improved iPad management tools to be announced at WWDC, but it is too late. The education market in our area is all about Google and Chromebooks - the switch has been so rapid that most people outside of schools are not even aware of the change.
Why, because they use a piece of hardware that you don't like. How can using a Chrome OS device destroy a childs sensibilities. The ChromeBook is just used as a gateway to online or local web orientated educational materials. Really though, who cares what they use if the results are the same, the future of computing is the web anyway as traditional desktops like OSX and Windows will soon disappear the way of the DoDo bird.
Why, because they use a piece of hardware that you don't like. How can using a Chrome OS device destroy a childs sensibilities. The ChromeBook is just used as a gateway to online or local web orientated educational materials. Really though, who cares what they use if the results are the same, the future of computing is the web anyway as traditional desktops like OSX and Windows will soon disappear the way of the DoDo bird.
It's a gateway to tracking my child. NOTHING IS FREE OR CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, I completely missed this. There are actually quite a few apps that you can use to record/stream video, here are some of my favorites,
Screencastify
TechSmith's Snagit app and extension combo
ClipChamp
MediaCore Capture
Than of course there's YouTube and Hangouts. As far as web casts are concerned, what service do you use now as I'm sure you can also use it on your ChromeBook as most of them are web services. There are also some really decent web based security apps for Android that can stream live video of your spaces. Just look through what's available in both the ChromeStore and Play Store, I'm sure you'll find something usefull.