Evolution of the Chromebook
Before the Chromebook there was a subnotebook. These paved the way for rise of the Chromebook. When Google first announced Chrome OS, there were a lot of skeptics. Is the browser really all we need anymore? Google tested this theory with the Cr-48, a reference unit made to test the Chrome OS experience. At the end of 2010, Google announced the Chrome OS Pilot Program and the CR-48 Chromebook prototype. Google distributed 30,000 of the CR-48 for free to participants of the program in exchange for feedback on the device and OS. Now, we’re seeing the result of that experiment with Samsung’s Chrome OS device, now dubbed Chromebook. In my opinion, the Cr-48 project was crucial to the development of the Chromebook. Chromebooks, you see, are not laptops. The Chromebook is a reboot of a type of laptop that existed about 17-20 years ago called a subnotebook. Subnotebooks were designed to be less functional then laptops in that they lacked removable storage, but still had the larger screen and full keyboard. This made them much lighter and thinner than laptops of the time.
Before the Chromebook there was a subnotebook. These paved the way for rise of the Chromebook. When Google first announced Chrome OS, there were a lot of skeptics. Is the browser really all we need anymore? Google tested this theory with the Cr-48, a reference unit made to test the Chrome OS experience. At the end of 2010, Google announced the Chrome OS Pilot Program and the CR-48 Chromebook prototype. Google distributed 30,000 of the CR-48 for free to participants of the program in exchange for feedback on the device and OS. Now, we’re seeing the result of that experiment with Samsung’s Chrome OS device, now dubbed Chromebook. In my opinion, the Cr-48 project was crucial to the development of the Chromebook. Chromebooks, you see, are not laptops. The Chromebook is a reboot of a type of laptop that existed about 17-20 years ago called a subnotebook. Subnotebooks were designed to be less functional then laptops in that they lacked removable storage, but still had the larger screen and full keyboard. This made them much lighter and thinner than laptops of the time.
Chromebooks in the Classroom.
The Chromebook is paving the way for a new generation of students who can do their homework on any device with internet access. Chromebook and Google for Education enable schools to use the power and simplicity of the web for unlimited teaching and learning opportunities, engaging stakeholders and creating dynamic learning environments that align with district curriculum and student achievement goals. Conventional thinking about education is no longer enough and needs to change. We need to teach our kids the tools to be successful, like how to research, collaborate, organize information and formulate an argument. It is important to help students discover this world of infinite resources and to help change the role of the teacher from a lecturer to a facilitator, who can support students as they explore the information to solve real world problems.
Through Google Drive, multiple students are able to work in the same document, presentation or spreadsheet at the same time. This fosters collaboration, teamwork, problem solving and organization, all of which are key skills for the modern world. It's important that technology in the classroom is affordable and easy to manage. Since Chromebooks are web-based computers that are great for schools because they are easy to use, manage, customize and scale. When you use a Chromebook, everything is stored on the web so it doesn't matter which device you use. When your student signs into any Chromebook, they're taken to the learning experience that you design for them, based on curriculum goals. Chromebooks also have a battery life that lasts all day, and boot up in eight seconds, so teachers can focus more on instruction instead of waiting for technology to work. The management software is one of the critical differences that make Chromebooks stand out from other laptops. It removes the old idea of having to manage each device individually, by managing all devices through a centralized management console.
The drawbacks:
The Chromebook is paving the way for a new generation of students who can do their homework on any device with internet access. Chromebook and Google for Education enable schools to use the power and simplicity of the web for unlimited teaching and learning opportunities, engaging stakeholders and creating dynamic learning environments that align with district curriculum and student achievement goals. Conventional thinking about education is no longer enough and needs to change. We need to teach our kids the tools to be successful, like how to research, collaborate, organize information and formulate an argument. It is important to help students discover this world of infinite resources and to help change the role of the teacher from a lecturer to a facilitator, who can support students as they explore the information to solve real world problems.
Through Google Drive, multiple students are able to work in the same document, presentation or spreadsheet at the same time. This fosters collaboration, teamwork, problem solving and organization, all of which are key skills for the modern world. It's important that technology in the classroom is affordable and easy to manage. Since Chromebooks are web-based computers that are great for schools because they are easy to use, manage, customize and scale. When you use a Chromebook, everything is stored on the web so it doesn't matter which device you use. When your student signs into any Chromebook, they're taken to the learning experience that you design for them, based on curriculum goals. Chromebooks also have a battery life that lasts all day, and boot up in eight seconds, so teachers can focus more on instruction instead of waiting for technology to work. The management software is one of the critical differences that make Chromebooks stand out from other laptops. It removes the old idea of having to manage each device individually, by managing all devices through a centralized management console.
The drawbacks:
- No Optical Drive
- No Video Editing
- No Photoshop
- Printing
Ethics and Chromebook
Ethical Implications
Educators have realized that the rigid lecture-and-test models of learning are failing to challenge students to experiment and engage in informal learning. According to research, opportunities for this informal learning can be found in classroom models like flipped and blended classrooms. To incorporate these models in schools, Chromebooks are an ideal choice for school districts because of their price, practicality, durability and easy device management. But what ethical issues arise when we try to incorporate Chromebooks, or other types of laptop or tablet? First of all, it changes the role of the educator. Now, the teacher in the classroom is guiding the students through their learning experiences. Now there is an issue of appropriate training of teachers to supervise online activities, for both learning and safety. Disricts cannot expect impressive results from students using the technology if teachers are not trained on how to use the Chromebooks. So it becomes an issue of who’s responsible for the training? And not only do they need to be trained on how to utilize Chromebooks for learning but also how to keep students safe. When students have access to the internet, how do educators maintain confidentiality, accountability, and safety for their students. Since the Chromebook primarily runs on applications from the web, every time students open it they may be at risk to scams, predators, and cyberbullies. Although ads and other pop-ups may be difficult to prevent on certain sites, Google attempts to address this by guaranteeing “No Ads Ever” when using Google Apps for Education. And Google boasts total security of student work and data from hackers. Also, YouTube has developed a series of internet safety videos complete with lessons and questionnaires for teachers to use in the classroom. The lessons cover how to detect scams, avoid inappropriate content, and have respectful conduct when searching the web. Some future ethical concerns might include the influence of technology on the physical environment and on history.
References and websites used during this presentation.
Ethical Implications
Educators have realized that the rigid lecture-and-test models of learning are failing to challenge students to experiment and engage in informal learning. According to research, opportunities for this informal learning can be found in classroom models like flipped and blended classrooms. To incorporate these models in schools, Chromebooks are an ideal choice for school districts because of their price, practicality, durability and easy device management. But what ethical issues arise when we try to incorporate Chromebooks, or other types of laptop or tablet? First of all, it changes the role of the educator. Now, the teacher in the classroom is guiding the students through their learning experiences. Now there is an issue of appropriate training of teachers to supervise online activities, for both learning and safety. Disricts cannot expect impressive results from students using the technology if teachers are not trained on how to use the Chromebooks. So it becomes an issue of who’s responsible for the training? And not only do they need to be trained on how to utilize Chromebooks for learning but also how to keep students safe. When students have access to the internet, how do educators maintain confidentiality, accountability, and safety for their students. Since the Chromebook primarily runs on applications from the web, every time students open it they may be at risk to scams, predators, and cyberbullies. Although ads and other pop-ups may be difficult to prevent on certain sites, Google attempts to address this by guaranteeing “No Ads Ever” when using Google Apps for Education. And Google boasts total security of student work and data from hackers. Also, YouTube has developed a series of internet safety videos complete with lessons and questionnaires for teachers to use in the classroom. The lessons cover how to detect scams, avoid inappropriate content, and have respectful conduct when searching the web. Some future ethical concerns might include the influence of technology on the physical environment and on history.
References and websites used during this presentation.
- www.google.com/edu
- www.google.com/chromebook
- http://www.geek.com
- http://www.webopedia.com
- http://www.techrepublic.com
- http://www.districtadministration.com