A brief introduction to the Google Chromebook netbook computer.
Guest Post by Karishma Marathe
Google’s Chromebook was launched in 2010 – a netbook that uses Google’s cloud based Chrome OS operating system. It looks exactly like a netbook, but here’s the interesting part: the Chromebook does not have any physical storage, instead, all user data and applications are stored in Google’s cloud. So you have all the benefits of a notebook (roomy keyboard, solid exterior, etc.) with the all the qualities of a tablet device (a clean web browser, tons of applications, and so on).
“Cloud computing†is a commonly heard phrase in tech circles these days, but we’re not all too clear on what it means. Running an IT Support company in Bristol, it’s something that we get asked a lot about lately. Cloud Computing essentially means getting services over the Internet, such as software applications, file storage, and so on, typically accessed using a Web
browser.
In May, EmergingEdTech wrote about the reasons why education needs to welcome internet technologies, and the Chromebook is a dexterous tool to support this new revolution in the way young people, and adults, learn and work. Almost every school aged child has used the Internet – whether it’s for academic or personal use, and the Chromebook is a natural extension of this. What might strike users though is that there is no ‘desktop’ concept here – you open the Web browser and download apps as you wish.
Chromebooks are entirely dependent on the Internet for performance, and have built-in Wi-Fi and optional 3G – so portability is no issue, and since everything is stored in the cloud, students and teachers can continue working from home too, without the fear of losing data. Schools can also make use of Google’s suit of collaboration and management tools and obtain numerous web-based resources.
Chromebook makes computing a simpler experience and it helps that it’s very fast, to boot (pun intended!) – the average start up time is just 8 seconds! And it helps that it has a really long battery life too. Another really cool thing about the Chromebook is that it has an automatic update feature. But it’s important to remember that the Chromebook can only function
if the user has Wi-Fi, if not, then the device is unfortunately, completely worthless. However, the bright side is that 3G/4G technology is spreading quickly.
Some people are of the opinion that the Chrome OS can be difficult for the average user – compared to the iPad for example which is famous for its simplicity, but one should keep in mind the cost and the positive physical attributes of the Chromebook, like the fact that not everyone is comfortable typing without a physical keyboard.
To learn more about the advantages of the Chromebook for Education (and Business), visit this Chromebook web page from Google.
Related Posts (if the above topic is of interest, you might want to check these out):
10 Internet Technologies Educators Should Be Informed About – 2011 Update
Someday students will carry a tablet computer instead of books (it’s just a matter of time)
10 Excellent iPad Applications for Teachers
[…] Related Posts (if the above topic is of interest, you might want to check these out): The iPad Isn’t the Only Tablet Computer Being Used in Schools iPad Educator Professional Development – The Three R’s Chromebooks in Education […]
You raise interesting points about the benefits of the Chromebook for education. However some institutions will still require access to Windows applications. In order to extend the benefits of Chromebooks schools will need to provide quick and easy browser-based access to these Windows applications and also to virtual desktops. Ericom AccessNow provides this support and enables Chromebook users to connect to Terminal Servers, physical desktops or VDI virtual desktops – and run Windows applications and desktops within a browser window, without having to install anything on the user device.
Here’s an example of a large school district that is using Ericom AccessNow to provide 30,000 students and staff access to Windows applications from Chromebooks, iPads and other devices:
http://www.ericom.com/pr/pr_111206.asp?URL_ID=708
Ericom also offers special pricing for education customers.
For more info, and to download a demo, visit:
http://www.ericom.com/html5_RDP_Chromebook.asp?URL_ID=708
Note: I work for Ericom
I believe that iPads have essential role in our education. We use iPad when we take down notes during classes via Ghostwriter Notes ap which is available at http://majorspot.com
The app is very usable that we can use all its features in class. Students are actually getting better grades.
[…] Chromebooks in Education | Emerging Education Technology A brief introduction to the Google Chromebook netbook computer. Source: https://www.emergingedtech.com […]
[…] Chromebooks in Education | Emerging Education Technology A brief introduction to the Google Chromebook netbook computer. Guest Post by Karishma Marathe Google’s Chromebook was launched in 2010 – a netbook that (Quelles suites pour les Google ChromeBooks en milieu éducatif ? Source: https://www.emergingedtech.com […]
[…] Chromebooks in Education A brief introduction to the Google Chromebook netbook computer. Guest Post by Karishma Marathe Google’s Chromebook was launched in 2010 – a netbook that uses Google’s cloud based Chrome OS… Source: https://www.emergingedtech.com […]
[…] Chromebooks in Education | Emerging Education Technology A brief introduction to the Google Chromebook netbook computer…. Source: https://www.emergingedtech.com […]
[…] Chromebooks in Education | Emerging Education Technology A brief introduction to the Google Chromebook netbook computer. Source: https://www.emergingedtech.com […]
[…] Chromebooks in Education | Emerging Education Technology A brief introduction to the Google Chromebook netbook computer. Source: https://www.emergingedtech.com […]