The installation of a new wireless network along with the availability of ultra-fast broadband throughout the school has enabled the purchase two class sets of Chromebook laptops to increase our computer facilities. The Chromebooks are internet only devices wch operate through the Google Chrome Browser enabling students fast logon access to their online tools. Our sets have a 9 hour battery life allowing teachers to book a set for use in their classrooms and then delivering them to the next teacher to use and returning to the charger stations at the end of the day.
Tom, a Year 12 student, said that “the Chromebooks are pretty efficient. I have used them in English for essay typing and in History for research. We write our reports and essays on Google Docs. They are much quicker to use and load web pages, and turn on than normal laptops”. The Chromebooks have been available for booking for nearly two weeks now for all staff and are proving quite popular. Dr Gerard O’Connor, HOD English, commented that “10CU have been using Chromebooks recently for writing narratives. They enjoy writing on them. Ts conforms with what English teachers in other schools report - that one noticeable tng about computers in junior English is that the attitude to writing changes markedly. They are much more likely to do screen editing and proofreading as well!”
The Chromebooks have been used by a range of subjects already. Mr Steven Vindriis who teaches Mathematics said that “using the Chromebooks with my Year 9 Maths class has worked very well. It allows the students to use technology to work independently at their own level witn their usual classroom environment. Ts also allows me to use the wteboard and teach for parts of the lesson and then incorporate the technology for other parts. The students were engaging in the mathematics. The disadvantage of taking a class to a computer room is that because of the physical environment, the whole time often needs to be computer based and there can be other difficulties that occur.”
With ts positive feedback there appears to be no doubt that Chromebook laptops in classrooms, when used effectively, enhances teacng and learning.
Mr Mark Callagher, Director of E-Learning