Technology in the Classroom: Chromebooks

  • Technology in the classroom is instrumental in today’s learning environment. Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity. Teachers employ technology in the classroom as a way of developing strategies to streamline education and classroom management and introduce problem-solving in the real world.

    Research shows that students prefer working with technology. Google in the classroom courses are in high demand. Google is not alone among the big tech companies trying to carve out space in the education market, but it is the leader.

    What technology tools a teacher or a school district wish to use often depends on budget and needs. While the iPad is popular with some, Google’s Chromebook, based on the low price and functionality is far ahead. And there are reasons.

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    Google Chromebook apps for education

    Google apps for Chromebook allow teachers to access Google’s online suite for education.  Technology in the classroom is transforming eduction.

    Today the classroom technology revolution is in full swing and Google is leading the way, at least by market share. Chromebook makes up 50 percent of the market.

    The company has made it possible for students to complete all assignments via cloud-based and free technology. Whether learning to code or recording podcasts, creating video documentaries or making animated stories, students use Chromebooks to gain skills of the future.

    This includes storing and sharing files, creating and editing Google Docs, Slides and Forms for quick feedback and interactive collaboration. It also means teachers can plan learning experiences that use the file-sharing capabilities of Google Drive to promote discussion.

    Google Classroom has been described by both the company and educators as mission control for the class. It includes using such tools as Google forms and sheets, for example. Forms is a sidekick to “Sheets”, Google’s spreadsheet app. Combined with an add-on called Flubaroo that makes grading quick and easy, Forms is becoming a staple of the classroom.

    Chromebook for education pricing

    Perhaps the key to Chromebooks popularity is it its price. Starting at just $149, it is effective and affordable. Combined with Google Classroom and suite of apps, it is quite a bargain, even for cash-strapped schools. And it has led to other companies such as Apple and Microsoft to drop their prices.

    For example, Apple introduced an affordable iPad, put iPad Pro features in it and charges $299. And the software is all free and the cloud storage is free.

    Chromebooks for K12 education

    If you are interested in the use of technology in the classroom, specifically using Chromebooks, online professional development courses are designed to help teachers transition to the world of Chromebooks or another device of choice. But if Chromebook seems like the best fit you can learn to master the Chrome OS. You can learn to create lesson plans that maximize the use of the technology and minimize preparation time.

    Teachers can learn the basics of the Chromebook and the Chrome Operating System. In an online professional development course for teachers, extensions and apps will be explored with both the teacher and student in mind. You will learn to use the Chromebook as an innovative teaching tool, with the help of Google Drive and other online tools.

    Teachers will learn to examine the differences between the Chromebook and traditional laptops and identify and install extensions and applications that support learning. They will also learn to analyze and create various examples of Google Drawing and Google Templates and develop a lesson plan that uses the Chromebook as a tool to facilitate the construction of knowledge.

    What are you waiting for?