Use of computers for a specific purpose has revolutionized since its creation. Yes, the computers were invented to reduce human effort in doing calculations. Later it became a digital device that can be a host of communication(Email & Sharing Files).
Likewise, amongst the huge integration of information sharing in last two decades, Education techniques has shifted to next level by the use of computers. May that be just a device to watch movies, play game or used as a digital workplace, it has always fascinated the way we learn.
Use of Computers has raised the productivity and creativity of Educators. Students are becoming smart and knowledge is being shared globally with just a click. The more we see computing power, the more we prepare ourselves for future revolutions.
Let’s talk about Chromebook, a laptop computer that is portable, cheap, integrated and future ready. Chromebook has its native Operating System called Chrome OS.
[Chrome OS is an operating system designed by Google and based upon the Linux kernel. Google announced the project in July 2009, conceiving it as an operating system in which both applications and user data reside in the cloud: hence Chrome OS primarily runs web applications.]wiki
Chromebooks are being manufactured by many companies. Just like traditional laptops. But, yes Chromebook also come in touch and non-touchscreen models.
Chromebook has paced its market in education sector and uses is growing exponentially. Definitely a new wave of change!!
Chromebook and Rural Education:
Rural areas are always in high risk of education management. The topology or geographical location has a crucial impact on children and their education. Non-accessible roads, high altitude location, poor economy of the community to name a few factors.
To reduce the gap in accessible education and common core for educators, computers can be of great help. And this has been proven over times.
Likewise, Chromebook is emerging as a good device to use in rural education. The long life battery, faster booting capability, compact yet powerful open source Operating system and Work even when Offline, are few great features of Chromebook.
There has been few queries regarding the usability of Chromebook in rural areas, let’s enlighten those points.
Google Chrome Browser:
A browser that holds the core of Chromebook operation. Chrome browser has its own application store, from where we can download and pin the required application. For example: We can add YouTube button at the top right corner of Chrome Browser, so as to access Youtube from a single click. It makes accessibility of any required weblink or apps extremely easy and from within a browser.
GMail Offline:
An offline email application that can be initially downloaded from Chrome web-store. This application within Chrome browser makes it easy to read emails and compose emails even when there is no internet. The new emails and draft emails are automatically sent/received, once connected to Wifi or 3G. This makes it easy to keep up with your emails and communications on the go.
Offline Google Drive and Documents:
Google Drive is a webspace for storing and creating documents. It is a place in web/cloud to store/create documents, videos, photos and personal documents. An archive or vault to store and collaborate.
Google Drive chrome app can be downloaded from chrome app store and easily maintain the Offline availability of documents within Chrome Browser or Chromebook.
This can help Create, Read, Edit documents on the go. Once the device is connected to Wifi or 3G, the Offline edited/created documents automatically sync with Google Drive online folder. Making the whole documentation process easy and accessible.
Security:
Chromebook is the most secure device that only requires our Google or Google Apps account login credentials. NO anti-virus or Third party security is needed for Chromebook. As Chrome browser has the facility to provide numbers of different users and preserve their bookmarks, themes and accessibility, we only need our email credentials to be in our Chromebook screen. Once we logout, another person with authority can login using their credentials. But keeping our data safe/ separate and inaccessible to sharing even within the same Chromebook.
THE NEXT BIG THING in CHROMEBOOK is the accessibility of Android application through android play store, which has been already in rollout phase. This means, Chromebook can now act, behave and feel like our android cell phone/tablet. Playing games, editing pictures and hundreds of apps are landing to Chromebook. Making it the ace device to use anyway and everywhere. Or even integrating our own educational android app for Chromebook.
The demographic to show how access to Google play store within Chromebook can transform the way we teach. In relation with android app compatible mobile phone users. (vertical unit in thousand).
Price:
Although different Vendors manufacture Chromebook Devices, the average price ranges from USD 100 and above. Depending on the features available in the device. Which makes it affordable to rollout throughout school.
Battery:
Chromebook has an average record of 10 Hours on battery. With or without wifi connection and depending upon the hardware configuration. Which makes it more usable in areas with electricity problems.
Google Apps for Edu ready device:
Chrome OS is Google native product. So all the Chromebooks are compatible and ready to roll with Google Apps for Education suite. Likewise Google apps for education is free and unlimited for schools. (More on Google Apps for Edu in my Previous Blog).
Hands-on Table to show how Chromebook is ideal for rural Education:
Online(with Wifi or 3G)
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Offline
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Conclusion:
Chromebook are revolutionizing the way we teach or learn. May that be for rural or urban schools. It is becoming the first choice as educational tool. The chart shows consumption and use of Chromebook in education, by region.
HAPPY LEARNING !
