mrdolan Posted October 2, 2014 Posted October 2, 2014 Hi, Are there any secondary schools (maybe in the Midlands) who are using Chromebooks, either class sets or 1:1 who would be able to welcome a couple of visitors please? We are looking at possibly getting some Chromebooks as shared devices and would appreciate the opportunity to see how they are being used elsewhere. We are also considering LearnPads, but are leaning towards something with a keyboard (and still quick booting) hence the interest in Chromebooks. I am also concerned about the long term future of flash on LearnPads now that Google has removed the ability to run it on Android. Thanks in advance.
6Foot2 Posted October 2, 2014 Posted October 2, 2014 We are using Chromebooks but it is still early days for us yet. I haven't had time to work on the finer details so we are still using generic users to logon to the 30 devices we have. However both staff and students are happy with the user experience [speed of browsing, device recharge time and charge longevity]
pcstru Posted October 3, 2014 Posted October 3, 2014 We now have over 300 mostly Samsung 303's, used as class sets, in inclusion and a couple allocated 1:1. We have been suffering some problems with devices losing their network and policy settings and then not being able to retrieve them through the firewall. We have had the odd set lose all sense of being on our Google domain. That's no worse that having to re-image a set of laptops but it's a concern when it happens for no known reason. Google seem to be demanding that we put 5% of the devices into their beta program for automatic, bleeding edge updates. I can see some sense in that if we used them the way they seem to think we do (put the evangelist teachers and keen users devices as beta so you get forewarning of any issues coming down the line) , but we don't! I also don't like being dictated to on how we manage our estate! All in all, when they work well, they can be a really powerful tool in the classroom - but mostly that power is down to Google Apps not the device itself. The battery life and reasonably quick start-up of the device are big plus points. The lack of control (updates), immaturity of the administration tools and lack of proper integration with out network environment (particularly authentication) are ... annoying and frustrating. If I could get a quick, light windows netbook with fast boot, equivalent battery life for the same price or even a little more, I'd probably be very very tempted.
Simcfc73 Posted October 3, 2014 Posted October 3, 2014 We have 30 in our junior school which they have decided aren't fit for purpose. We have the Samsung ones and I just bought some lovely plastic cases for them to colour coordinate. Think its political more than anything. Not had much issues really except when an update changed the default logon language to US..... took weeks to fix. Good I you embrace Google Apps
olapete2008 Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 We have Purchased 20 Chromebooks at our College to trial and I am google admin. I am trying to get lightspeed to configure and having issues and have followed instuctions. I configure proxy and when switch on Chromebook it brings lightspeed rocket logon so i log in with my domain account and logs in after that lightspeed logon page comes on the browser and cant log into that; I try other sites and dont load. - - - Updated - - - We have Purchased 20 Chromebooks at our College to trial and I am google admin. I am trying to get lightspeed to configure and having issues and have followed instuctions. I configure proxy and when switch on Chromebook it brings lightspeed rocket logon so i log in with my domain account and logs in after that lightspeed logon page comes on the browser and cant log into that; I try other sites and dont load.
rickjames Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 People trialing/using them; how exactly are teachers/students going about using them?
6Foot2 Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 People trialing/using them; how exactly are teachers/students going about using them? During our trial we had generic users for the students and staff to logon. We have now set up GAPS and GADS and we will be rolling out the students' own Chromebook users year group by year group shortly (we have open week, which actually runs for two weeks, and we want to get that wrapped up first)
rickjames Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 I mean in their lessons, software/apps kinda stuff. I imagine in our case they'll be useless, but we're just weighing up several options. Ta!
6Foot2 Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 Ah OK. HOW they get used is not my department. Can't help there. Sorry.
NotSoFast Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 I surveyed staff and it turned out most people just wanted Web access and word processing / presentations. They also wanted the flexibility to take batches of 5 or 6 rather than 0 or 30. We have a lock and charge trolley which comes with coloured baskets for 5 Chromebooks at a time. They are used almost every lesson. So far it's a great success, but we still need to sort out various things like Papercut for cloud printing to photocopiers.
rickjames Posted October 16, 2014 Posted October 16, 2014 We have one and are now playing around with it. How would I go around getting to work with Active Directory? Is it relatively straightforward.
pcstru Posted October 16, 2014 Posted October 16, 2014 We have one and are now playing around with it. How would I go around getting to work with Active Directory? Is it relatively straightforward. It's not particularly straightforward! You need to set up a Google Apps for Education Domain and then get that to sync account/OU/group details and password changes from AD.
rickjames Posted October 16, 2014 Posted October 16, 2014 We have a Google Apps domain, which is fine. Google Apps Directory Sync is the one, yeah?
SteveM555 Posted October 16, 2014 Posted October 16, 2014 We only have 5 - Used with Google Device Management. They are locked down to public kiosk mode and used for basic internet/research in a public area.
j_mcg Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 We are just looking at getting some in our school and are tying it in with trialing Google Classroom. I have used GADS to sync the usernames from AD and I am toying with the idea of putting GAPS on so we can sync passwords if they are changed on the windows network. I currently import groups and group memberships using GAM but seems to be a very manual process.
Simcfc73 Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Think we are moving away from them now, we have 30 in junior school but its been decided they prefer desktops (GET IN)
Gibson335 Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Think we are moving away from them now, we have 30 in junior school but its been decided they prefer desktops (GET IN) Interesting - back to the old standby, eh?
maark Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Think we are moving away from them now, we have 30 in junior school but its been decided they prefer desktops (GET IN) What is the reason for preference? chromebooks we have trialled have been good but not sure about large scale rollout yet.
mnewnham Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 We have started using them with very positive feedback. They come into there own when you setup Google apps (we sync ad users and groups) and use the mdm tools. The Google classroom app is great. Students just login to the chrome book with their email and password and it syncs all their work etc on their drive. Faster than Windows 8 laptops too.
Bev Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 We use them, we were already set up with Google Apps and use Google Drive extensively. The kids log in with their email address and have access to their drive. I have very few issues with them, and much prefer them to the laptops we used to have.
j224 Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 We use them, we were already set up with Google Apps and use Google Drive extensively. The kids log in with their email address and have access to their drive. I have very few issues with them, and much prefer them to the laptops we used to have. Can I ask what make and model Chromebook you use? I'm just starting to look into the possibility of getting some for our school and considering either the Dell Chromebook 11 (2015 model) or the Toshiba Chromebook 2 (4GB model)
j_mcg Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Can I ask what make and model Chromebook you use? I'm just starting to look into the possibility of getting some for our school and considering either the Dell Chromebook 11 (2015 model) or the Toshiba Chromebook 2 (4GB model) Hi we have just got 6 devices to pilot in the school, we have gone for Dell Chromebooks 11 (1 has a touchscreen) and an LG Chromebase. the chromebase seems really good as a desktop replacement where you do not need specialist programs. 1
mnewnham Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Can I ask what make and model Chromebook you use? I'm just starting to look into the possibility of getting some for our school and considering either the Dell Chromebook 11 (2015 model) or the Toshiba Chromebook 2 (4GB model) The Dell Chromebook 11's are good machines. We have some of the 2014 model and they are well made and the size was considered ideal for classroom use. 1
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now