1:1 Chromebook Scheme

Chromebooks have been used extensively across all of the Trust schools in recent years, proving themselves indispensable to pupils and teachers in the classroom because of their ease of use, reliability and performance. 

CHROMEBOOK FEATURES 

• Less than 8 seconds to boot up

• Zero maintenance required

• Automatic updates

• Super secure from online threats

• Long battery life (enough for a full day at school)

• Tried & tested rugged design

• Google Classroom for easy student-teacher workflow

• Large numbers of devices can be managed centrally

• Excellent collaboration tools

• Works seamlessly with Google Apps for Education and other cloud-based services which pupils and teachers already use extensively

The following are just a few examples of what students will be able to do with their own Chromebooks

• Create, share and collaborate using Google Apps for Educations (GafE)

• Use subject related apps in the classroom and at home during the holidays

• Collaborative learning

Traditional methods of learning and teaching still have an important place in education and will continue at all of the Trust schools.  Chromebooks should be seen as an educational tool, not as a replacement for traditional methods.  Teachers and pupils continue to receive training on how to use these devices productively and appropriately.

No. Other devices are not fully compatible with the Google Apps and add-ons that we will be using for teaching and learning:

• The battery may not last a full day on a single charge

• The device may not boot-up within 8 seconds from standby

• The managed Chrome extensions may not function

• The device will not be managed by the school, thereby reducing its effectiveness as a learning tool

From a school's perspective, there are two very important issues that make the Chromebook our device of choice:

The IT dept cannot support and fix multiple types of devices, nor can our teachers be expected to understand the different problems that they will present in the classroom. Chromebooks all run the latest version of Chrome OS, and all operate in the same way. In contrast, a Windows notebook operates differently from a Windows tablet, and Windows operating systems might range from XP (2006) right up to Windows 10.  Android is completely different from iOS, and huge differences exist between MacBooks and iPads. For example, if a student is struggling to connect to the wi-fi during a lesson, the go-to solution will differ greatly by device type and spec. But on Chromebooks, it's all so easy.

The other issue for us as a school is e-Safety and filtering controls. One of the apps we talk about is the Google Management Licence which we deploy to the Chromebooks when we enrol them onto our system. This is crucial for Securly and GoGuardian to function for all pupils at all times.

(please also see the question "Why are we recommending Chromebooks over other types of device" above)

Yes, although we have done extensive research across the range of 100+ types of Chromebooks available, to know that the models we sell in our Shop are best suited for pupil use at school. Desirable features include

• 11-13 inch screen

• Touch screen & stylus compatible

• USB Type C charging

• Chrome OS Support for at least 5+ years from purchase

• Rugged and tough design, tried & tested for use at school

• (optional extra) 3 year warranty 

As previously mentioned, pupils who already own a Chromebook can bring that device to school, even if it does not meet the criteria above. This is because if parents have gone to the trouble to buy a Chromebook for their child in the past, we want to be as flexible as we can to allow that device to be used. These devices will not be covered by any school warranty or insurance policy, and will need to be enrolled in the school's Management & E-Safety programme before they can be used at school. 

Please contact chromebooks@cothilltrust.org if you would like any further advice.

No. 

The plan is for students to bring their devices to school every day (fully charged) and take them with them to lessons (or keep them in their lockers when not in use), but they will not be allowed to use them in free time or without supervision. It will be easy to monitor this as every device will be enrolled in the school's Management & E-Safety programme, which will continue to operate wherever the device is used, even at home on a different wifi network. Pupils will only be able to access these Chromebooks with their school accounts (although this restriction can be removed in the holidays, should parents request), and all activity will put pupil protection and e-Safety first. This is one of the great advantages of the Chromebook - it can now serve as a proper device for WORK, free of other distractions.

This might be possible - please ask the Head of IT at your child's school

Yes, we have visited other schools running 1:1 iPad and laptop programmes and consulted in depth with our teachers. We have learned that iPads are great tools for consuming media but they are not as good for creating content and allowing pupils to work collaboratively. Whilst the range of applications available on iPads and Android is vast, many of the resources that teachers currently use in IT Suites would not be available.

We also looked at traditional Windows, Mac and Linux laptops. Although these devices are indeed more powerful, they are also more complex, more expensive and have poorer battery lifetimes. The simplicity of the Chromebook overcomes these barriers and means that we can really focus on the learning experience.