We’ve been waiting in anticipation. Thanks to Google, Donors Choose, and a very generous donor, we were able to add 8 Chromebooks to our classroom collection of technology. After a few weeks of anxiously checking for packages, they finally arrived this week!
Chromebooks are a little bit different than the typical computer that you’re probably used to. They run off of the Google Chrome operating system. You can’t download software to them and they don’t have a ton of storage space. That’s because everything is stored in the “cloud” through Google Drive. That means that it doesn’t get saved on your computer but by the company so that you’re able to access your work from anywhere! Because of this we can turn our Chromebooks on and they’re completely booted up and ready to use in about 10 seconds!
We got to work on our Chromebooks right away. We took some time to learn how to use them, how to change some of the settings, access the Google Chrome Web Store, and how to use many of its great features. We’ll continue to share more information about how we’re putting them to use in class throughout the rest of the year so check back often!
Take a look at some of the pictures below to see us exploring our new Chromebooks!
If you’re curious to know a little bit more about just exactly how Google Drive and the idea of the cloud work, you can check out the video below.
————————————————–
Aloha from Kauai,
I recently got some chromebooks for my kindergarten students and would love to get some ideas for KINDERGARTEN leveled applications.
Do you know of any off-line programs as well?
Thanks again.
Please email me at: [email protected]
Sandra
Dear Mr. Avery,
I was very happy that we finally got our Chromebooks! I like how we all are assigned to a chromebook. And I’m happy that we’re getting 6 more!
From,
Aiden C.
Dear Mr. Avery,
Everybody that donated money for the Chromebooks, thank you. The Chromebooks are really useful because now we can have every student in one class (18 students) be on at the same time which is better than having to wait to use a computer since we used to have, I believe twelve in our grade. I love these computers so, once again thank you.
from Ben f.
Dear Mr. Avery,
It is very cool having the Chromebooks in our class (thank you Anna`s parents for funding the project). They are really interesting and really cool.
From,
Kaylee
Dear Mr. Avery,
I love the new Chromebooks! they are so much easier to type on and they are small so they are perfect for kids! How much are these (just one)? I would like to get one for myself. I better start saving up.
From,
Rebecca A.
P.S. It seems like it took FOREVER to get these, but the wait was worth it!
Dear Mr Avery,
I am so excited for these! I have never used them before and I can’t wait to try them out. They seem like really great quality products. I was wondering why you choose these compared to other computers? Are they better than apple computers?
From,
Emily B.
Hi Emily,
We’re glad to have you back at school! I know a lot of you haven’t been feeling well so it was nice to see you were feeling better today.
That’s a great question though. There are a few reasons that we went with those instead of Apple. The main reason is the price. Apple computers usually start at around $1,000! We were able to get 8 Chromebooks for less than that price! Another reason is that they start up really quickly and have everything that we use. It comes with Google Chrome ready to go and uses Google Apps. You’ll see how quick they are once you get a chance to use them!
Sincerely,
Mr. Avery
Dear Mr. Avery,
The Chromebooks are such outstanding computers to have in our classroom. Considering that if we have to take a study island quiz, everyone could use a computer without taking turns. A lot more students are even allowed to write more comments on the blog in school! That’s very fascinating! I just can’t wait to be in the “Chromebook Group.”
Sincerely,
Tristan 🙂
Dear Mr. Avery,
The Chromebooks are really fun and easy to use. I really like how it’s made by Chrome because I love to use that on my computer at home. This was the first time that I’ve used a Chromebook, I love how it’s small and looks easily portable and how it’s so simple.
Have a great Monday!
From,
Ariel
Wow! Lucky class! It will be great to see how you use these authentically in the class…have fun.
I work in the New South Wales, Australian public school system and we use Lenova PC’s but also have 90 iPads, in one school I work at, to share through that whole school. I do a lot of virtual technology projects with different ages and stages using Open Sim. I am working with 3 Kindergarten classes in one school this term using the iPads and Minecraft as they are going to be building their home and school/class for a social studies learning unit. It should be crazy but fun! Wish me luck =] In another school we are recreating the gold rush using a Open Sim virtual space which I create on their individual USB sticks. Maybe I can post you one to use as Mr Avery is into all things techy. Have a great year and enjoy your Chromebooks.
Mrs Booth
Dear Mrs. Booth,
These Chromebooks are fun to use. We are allowed to go on a whole lot of different things, like going on different blogs, and we can only go on different blogs are leaving comments to the blogs, which in my opinion are easy to do.
Also something that really amazed me in your comment was the fact about your school having 90 iPads! That’s a lot for just 1 school.
Sincerely,
Tristan 🙂