touch screen chromebooks???
Hi everyone 
We are looking to purchase some chromebooks for our year 4-8 classes. Not like ipads, there are so many options to choose from. We really don't want to make this big purchase and regret later.
The question that our team has at the moment is; whether to go with touch screen chromebooks or not.
Has anyone used touch screen chromebooks? Are they really "2-in-1 convertible PCs" that can bring benefits of both ipads and chromebooks? Or is it just an extra feature that will cost us more but won't end up using like this article says http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/dont-buy-a-touch-screen-laptop .
Thanks
Replies
Saunil Hagler (View all users posts) 11 May 2017 1:14pm ()Hi Karen
The Acer Chromebook R11 is one of the few that currently allows use of Play Store Android apps on Chromebooks. These are managed out of your Chrome management console. While there are many that aren't educational, a lot are and of those, most will work best with touch (as Android is designed for touch).
There are also Chrome apps that work well/best with touch. Explain Everything for Chrome (avail. via Chrome Web Store) works far better with touch Chrome than non-touch and can be a real game-changer for students (huge success on iPad).
The Acer R11 is also able to assume tablet-mode (folds back on itself) which avoids the issue mentioned in the Laptopmag article where users must reach over the keyboard to use the touch functionality.
Stylus integration for Chromebooks is coming on fast too. The Acer Chromebook Spin 11 (not yet in NZ) will come with a Wacom stylus and special integrated features in OS to make it a great experience (also has "world facing camera"). The Samsung Chromebook Plus and Pro (not avail. in NZ, and quite dear) both have great stylus integration.
So in short, future-proofing your fleet might involve seriously considering touch. Let me know if you want a demo device to play with saunil.hagler@cyclone.co.nz. I can also demo Play Store apps etc.
Regards
Saunil
- terrywithers (View all users posts) 11 May 2017 1:23pm ()
KIa ora Karen, we purchased 9 nearly 3 years ago, touch screen chrome books and they are still going strong. We purchased them to fill the needs of students who did not have their own device in Yr 6 (across 3 classes) for our BYOD... I think the question is what do you want to use them for...
The students love the touch screen ones, but we have now purchased 18 more chrome book but not touch screens for our yr4 and 5 - why - COST - it was more economical to buy!
Our BYOD policy allows students to bring any device to school that has a screen size of 10 and over, we adapt, and at this level we have found that Chrome books are fine (we would love to go IPAD - but way to expensive). They can make short videos, code, research, write, present etc.
Hope this helps.
Ka kite ano
Terry
- Tessa Gray (View all users posts) 24 May 2017 4:09pm ()
Hi Karen, how exciting new shiny devices! No doubt there's some soul searching happening before the big purchase is made.
There might be some key pedagogical ideas that can help drive your decisions in this older post, BYOD - Challenging old school beliefs including:
Blog post by Warren Hall on, DEVICE CHOICE IN SCHOOLS DRIVEN BY THE ‘WRITE’ THINGS? (CORE Education blog 2015), where he talked about decisions being made in regards to communication tools (keyboards, typing, video) and made some valuable comparisons between laptops and tablets in regards to their potential to aide innovative learning practices.
Enabling e-Learning has created a concise, interactive tool to help schools when making decisions about Learning with 1:1 digital devices, including policies and strategic planning. There are also a large number of schools sharing their stories around BYOD trials and implementation – which are very useful for those who are starting out on this journey.
and...
The Connected Learning Advisory (Ministry-funded unbiased support for schools) has created some resources to help schools when choosing the right device. There is a webinar recording and a guide to download as a PDF file, which is also invaluable.
...and even more... such as putting the learning first when making these decisions @ BYOD - Challenging old school beliefs.
Let us know if this has been helpful at all, and what direction you end up taking?
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