Using Chromebooks in Learning

Chromebooks can be a very cost efficient option for schools to get a device in the hands of every student that provides access to a multitude of tools that can be used for learning.

The cloud based nature of the Chromebook means that teachers only need to make sure that students can connect to the internet and not be concerned about other aspects like software upgrades, viruses, etc.

There are a number of resources out there to help teachers devise lesson plans that integrate the use of a Chromebooks.  A very useful resource is:

Samsung also has a document with examples from schools of how Chromebooks are being used called New Paths to Learning with Chromebooks.

Feedback from students regarding our Chromebook trail at St Aidans.

Student Digital Portfolios

The St Aidans students have now created their own Digital Portfolio using Google Sites.
The aim is to provide a portfolio site for students that can follow them throughout their school years with samples of their work across the years.

Process for creating a Digital Portfolio

1. Teachers brainstormed how they wanted the Digital Portfolio template to look like.  It was decided to have a page (tab) for each year and then sub pages for their curriculum areas under each year.  It was also felt that it was important to have a Cyberwise tab on the template to provide links and examples of Digital Citizenship.

2.  A site was created with the tabs/pages needed and customised with the school colours and crest.  It also included a link to a class site that would be developed and maintained by teachers.

3.  The student digital portfolio was initially created in the staff domain.  Due to our two domains, (students and teachers) it was necessary to share this to a dummy account in the student domain so that students would be able to access the template

4.  Once shared in the student domain, the site was made a template.

5.  Students could then login to classm8 Google Apps go to Sites - Create a site - Browse the Gallery - Select the template.

6. Students then name their site 'School Username Digital Portfolio' and select create to initiate the creation of their digital portfolio site.

7. Students then share their site with their teacher.  Teachers can also send students a form to get all the links from students to their sites providing a neat way of having student site URL's in one spreadsheet for easy access.

8. Students upon direction of teacher add information about themselves and a photo on the home page using the Edit menu.  Once finished they save their site.

This is now their ongoing digital portfolio where students upon direction of the teacher will embed their work samples into their site.

Chromebook: change in technology lesson

Year 4 St Aidan's have been using the Chromebooks across all their subjects.  In particular however they have used the Chromebook in their current unit: Change.

One lesson focused on Changes in Technology.

Students were shown some examples of old forms of technology (cameras, video tapes) and we discussed all the different types of technology that had changed over the years.  They used a Google doc accessed via their Chromebooks to brainstorm and share all their ideas.

Students selected a form of technology and created a survey using Google Forms.  They developed questions with the intention of asking family and friends from three generations or age groups.

They then analysed the responses and made statements on the effects of the changes in technology.

Using the Chromebook in learning

Teachers were asked:

Chromebook feedback from Teachers

What do you like or not like about the Chromebook?

The speed; easy to use. The Chromebook is a light-weight device that has a good battery life. It is a cheaper alternative and they're quick and easy to log onto. At times, the Chromebooks have issues with logins, connecting to the network and the screen freezes. I really enjoy the versatility, independence and the 'globalised' feel the Chromebook brings to the classroom. Students are able to independently complete their work with confidence and share it back with their teacher in both a valid and reliable manner. The only dislike I have is the sometimes lack of or slowing down of the internet. when all students are opening a shared document - it can take up to 10 minutes for everyone to finally have it opened. I also love that you can access the Google drive on a laptop too!
 

How would the use of a Chromebook/Google Apps change the way you teach?

Students sharing their work via google apps, students able to complete group activities away from school. The communication and collaboration between peers and teachers is a marvellous teaching tool. Sharing documents is immediate and the engagement level of students means that there are very little behavioural issues. Students having their own Chromebook means there are no problems of students waiting around for their turn. The use of the Chromebook/Google Apps has already changed the way I teach! I believe that when creating learning experiences across all KLAs, I now have a more reliable way of providing my students with more of a sense of ownership and responsibility for their own learning. They are able to complete their differentiated task to the best of their ability and share it with their classmates in a cooperative and professional manner AND practice their ICT skills! 
 

What planning do you need to do to integrate the use of the chromebook in your lessons?

I think it would be very much the same as I have been programming using any ipad; laptop etc. I think I would be more exploring sites and how this can be used for the students to access clips; work; links etc Documents needs to always be prepared before hand to share with the students. All activities are discussed with grade-partners to ensure consistency and consolidation of ideas. Each week when planning, the activities I designed lent themselves to using the Chromebook/Google Apps. It was easy to share ideas with my colleagues and as the weeks went on the children responded positively to using this device.
 

How easy do you feel the use of a Chromebook would integrate with your day to day work with students?

Last term I found it easy to plan integrated activities that constantly used Chromebooks/Google Apps throughout the day.The students could make connections with their learning and the idea of using this technology meant that the students' accountability was high. Quite easy, the only set-back would be a lack of internet - but this rarely happens! It will become part of day to day work.
 

What support do you think teachers require to integrate the use of the Chromebook in the classroom?

Ensuring that the connection isn't temperamental I believe that having the professional learning is essential. Many colleagues who haven't had the opportunity to be involved with the PL have taken longer to embrace this technology. Adequate network coverage is also essential. At times last term, when a group of 20 students or more were on the network, many Chromebooks had difficulties. Mostly professional learning, if we know how to use a product to the best of its ability - so will our students!

Chromebook feedback from students

Both students and teachers were asked to give some initial feedback on the use of Chromebooks at St Aidans halfway through the first term of use.

There were some issues with logging on, which is more to do with google account issues than Chromebook issues and issues around internet connection dropouts.  However generally there was a positive response to their use, with some students very enthusiastic.  One student's family has since purchased a Chromebook for her use at home.

See student comments below:

The Chromebook is:

• a very useful device it will help me in class a lot because it can give me a lot of information and facts.

• good for group tasks because your group can focus on one document or anything else instead of doing individual documents or anything else. The Chromebook is also good at researching and making something at the same time. If I would rate the Chromebook out of 10 I would rate it 10. -_-

• very helpful and is fun to use. There are  bad things because it is slow to load .

• very helpful even though I had trouble logging on because an error had appeared on the screen when I went to the shared document.

• a very good type of laptop. It looks exactly like a Macbook Pro, some problems with the documents are that sometimes it will always try to reconnect although it is still connected to the network. The bad thing about the chromebook is that the main software is google chrome, and if the server goes under maintenance the chromebook will not be able to be used. It is a good laptop, super duper light and thin, you can carry in the palm of your hand. There is one replaced key and all the others are missing. I am happy to see Samsung develop their first laptop and it was a great success.                  

• an amazing type of laptop. I am very happy to see Samsung develop a new and improved device but the only problem is that sometimes when I try to connect sometimes it takes a while to reconnect if i am sharing a document. I give The Chromebook a 9/10.

• very handy and helpful in my learning because we can share documents on the computer so we don’t talk to each other so the classroom is silent and much easier  to concentrate.

• really good  for children because they are similar to laptops but easier. However sometimes the Chromebook is not as fast as a loading on a laptop or computer. I would recommend this device for all ages and i rate it a 8/10.

• The table activity I completed this week was fantastic. I was able to work with A even when she was sitting next to me. 

• is similar to a normal laptop. It is a great technology to use everyday,at school or even at work for parents.

• I know there are different buttons compared to a different laptop but it is no difference because they are all the same. I learn everything everytime I go on the Chromebook.

• like a normal laptop but better because you can talk to your group about  what you’re doing or you can share what you learnt. I think it's a very great technology to use.

• really helpful and useful in my learning days.With the chromebook I have discovered new things and lots of exciting new apps and new keys.

• is a great technology device  for students because it is easier to research and can help us with our subjects.This  technology is great for our classroom.

• a helpful device for my learning because I love the feature when you could share documents and type at the same time.The only problem is that the chromebook sometime it takes to long to load.

• a great technology when it comes to getting some typing done. I think its the best tech I have ever used in my life. whenever I i’m working with a partner and I’m having trouble my partner is typing with me so I finish quickly. Also I think that its a good resorce for researching things like on youtube or google. :)

• I do not know what the Chromebook is like or how to make it work because I still can not log in. This has been happening since we were first introduced to the Chromebook. Therefore I would rather use a normal laptop.

• better than a laptop because you can share one document with a lot of your friends , you don’t have press save,save and save over and over again when you make a document  and you can research or get images by touching a few buttons! I say the Chromebook is a BRILLIANT device for work, school or ANYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!. :-)

• the chrome book  is one of the best laptops/computers i have used i recommend it to everyone ! :)

• it is a very portable laptop that you can bring on the go. it has fast internet access and it is best for use in the classroom.

Week 8
Chromebook Unit of Work

This week the Year 4 students will be involved in a unit of work that involves Chromebooks and using their Google Drive. Students will work independently through a variety of activities where they have to plan their day and share their documents with the Year Four teachers and their peers.
Last Friday Lisa and Jo worked with the Year Four students on 3D printing. Students watched as Kieran demonstrated the endless possibilities when printing in 3D. This week the students will begin to design an object they believe will 'change' their life.
The students have been exploring change this term. Changes in the environment, technology, migration and food chains. This independent work will enable students to develop their collaboration and time management skills. We look forward to sharing our work on the BLOG.