Help Rolling Out Chromebooks and Android Tablets

[gopackgo]

We purchased a few chromebooks and android tablets for evaluation. We already have Google Apps for EDU setup. Can someone give me some best practices on how to setup the Chromebooks and Android tablets setup?

 

Is there a way to have each student login under their own account or do you guys just generally have one shared student login/user profile?

 

Thanks.

[carmeruk]

We generally have one account for all the tablets. They won't authenticate against ldap or active directory, so to save pain I've found this to be best. I did write this guide to dealing with awkward Chinese tablets if it's any help

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/o-s-deployment/116803-how-image-deploy-rk3066-based-android-tablet.html?highlight=Android

 

i've recently ditched OwnCloud as the best way of implementing network storage and switched to Bittorent Sync which is ace at auto syncing files to the existing network and vice versa. We now have an M: drive, the mobile drive that the tablets sync to and from.

 

Due to the limitations android places on us we've tackled this from another direction. We're going to be training the children to administer the file management aspect of the tablets. They are going to be responsible for keeping everything neat and tidy. Let's face it they could hardly do a worse job than the adults have managed thus far in our Windows environment!

 

Personal account based stuff we do on the Classmate laptops and iPads. Horses for courses.

 

Hope this helps.

[gopackgo]

I'm supposed to be getting pricing from Google on the Chrome Management Console. Is that the recommended way to manage the chromebooks? It's nice that they are designed to let multiple users log in and the users are authenticated from our Google Apps user list.

 

How about managing the tablets? Just let them have one shared account? Do you guys prevent them from installing apps etc?

[Arthur]

Is that the recommended way to manage the chromebooks?

It's the only way.

[gopackgo]

It seems like the Chrome Management Console is the way to manage the chromebooks. I still need something for the android tablets.

 

What about Meraki Systems Manager:

Cisco Meraki - Cloud Managed Networks that Simply Work

[Arthur]

I still need something for the android tablets.

Since you are in the US, it might be worth signing up for Google Play for Education.

[Arthur]

Can someone give me some best practices on how to setup the Chromebooks

The Class Think blog has a lot of useful information...

 

• Best Practice: Configuring Chromebook With Google Apps
  
• Chromebook Experiment – Part 3: Setting up the Chromebooks
  

[Leeoakley]

2X Client for Desktop PCs, Mobiles, Tablets & Social Networks

 

Is a third party tool worth looking at?

 

I've linked one of many. Will depend on you infrastructure, but way be worth considering.

 

 

Lee

[Arthur]

Is a third party tool worth looking at?

No. The only way to manage Chromebooks is through Google Apps once the requisite number of management licenses have been purchased.

 

Third-party tools won't be able to modify Chrome OS in the same way Google Apps can.

[Leeoakley]

I hope i'm correct on this and i will get someone to clarify.....

 

If using the third party tool above:

 

You aren't trying to control the chromebook as a unit (or so i believe) as you will be "streaming" the apps/workspace the individuals needs and control their profiles centrally, basically allowing your staff/pupils to access their workspace anywhere.

[Arthur]

you will be "streaming" the apps/workspace the individuals needs and control their profiles centrally, basically allowing your staff/pupils to access their workspace anywhere.

@gopackgo didn't mention that running Windows applications was a requirement?

 

If you are not going to take full advantage of the Chromebooks and Google Apps, then why bother buying them in the first place? Just get thin clients or cheap Windows laptops so the software can run locally and manage them through AD/Group Policy.