Tag: Chromebook

Liked Speeding up a Chromebook by allocating zram by Doug BelshawDoug Belshaw (Doug Belshaw’s Thought Shrapnel)

I’ll post the main details below, which are instructions for making Chromebooks run faster by allocating compressed cache. Note that on my Google Pixelbook (2017) I used ‘4000’ instead of the ‘2000’ recommended and it’s really made a difference

Replied to The Wrong Question by Chris (chrisbetcher.com)

As teachers we need to stop focusing on the nouns (the tools) and focus more on the verbs. When you do that, the actual tools become far less important. In my opinion, the mark of a good technology user (and a great teacher) is being able to easily switch to new nouns while never losing sight of the verbs.

Chris, your discussion of Chromebooks reminds me of something that I wrote a few years ago about changing the mindset, rather than the program.

It has been interesting supporting Ms 5 during her learning at home. We started off using an iPad, but I found limitations in regards to typing in passwords and jumping between screens. Having a touchscreen Chromebook, I found that my daughter like the ability to pinch zoom on the screen, while also use the cursor and trackpad to select the next page.

It did not solve everything, I still find it useful to use the iPad to take photos and record videos. Even though I can treat my Chromebook as a ‘tablet’, it does not have the same form factor.

Listened Episode 20, March 22, 2018 from llennon.podbean.com

The Admins are back at it. Discussing new releases, changes, and discoveries in the Admin Console. Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention, special guest is CYRUS MISTRY! (I really didn’t come anywhere near close to forgetting that, I just wanted to add a little…

Cyrus Mistry from Google discusses the process for bringing a new Chromebook ‘feature’ to market. He uses the example of the world facing camera. The process begins by identifying what the feature requires and then where it will go. Once developed, the next step is a series of testing. This whole process usually takes a year to achieve.
Replied to Friends don’t let friends use Chromebooks for CoolMath. by Lyn Hilt (lynhilt.com)

The real crisis surrounding technology integration is a leadership crisis.

It’s a vision crisis. It’s the crisis that most of our schools are built around teaching cultures, not learning cultures. It’s a lack-of-clarity crisis.

Great post Lyn. I have discussed some of my issues elsewhere. I liked Andy Losik’s response, to highlight the creative possibilities associated with the Chromebook. However, I think that you hit the nail on the head Lyn with your point about vision.

Too often in education, the search is for the one answer. Just as with the wolves of Yellowstone, technology can not solve all our ills. It is only one part of the puzzle:

EdTech Enablers

“EdTech Enablers” by mrkrndvs is licensed under CC BY-SA

I recently reflected upon the place of Google to support librarians. Technology can offer so much, but it needs to connect in with the local context. I think that friends don’t let friends take products straight off the shelf, but that is a conversation for another day.

Replied to Using Android Apps on Chromebooks by Eric Curts (controlaltachieve.com)

Many programs have BOTH and Android version and a Chrome Web App version. For example, you can use the Android mobile version of Google Classroom, or you can use the Chrome Web App version which takes you to the Google Classroom website instead.

Although the versions will be similar, there are often differences between the Android version of a program and then web version of that same program. For example, the Android version of Google Classroom allows the user to take pictures and videos with the device camera, whereas the web version of Classroom does not.

I recently purchased an ACER R11. I was intrigued by the ability to use the device as both a laptop and a touchscreen tablet. I was also interested in investigating Android Apps as they were unavailable on my other device. I have been pleasantly surprised.

I like the ability to download videos for offline use, as well as listen to articles using the Pocket app. I am still working out the various affordances and have found that not every app is useful. For example, although the Inoreader app makes it easy to flick through posts, it is much easier to open articles up in the browser.