diaperjoys Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 We're going to need another computer or two in our home to accommodate online classes. I'm trying to figure out if a Chromebook would work well. Do any of you have any good or bad experiences to share with going that direction? I'm not enough of a computer guru to see all the benefits/problems with the different operating systems; any help ya'll have to offer is most welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 It really depends on your online classes. Some require you to download software, and that will not work on a chromebook. But if the class is run just through a browser, it will work. For example, AOPS classes and Brave Writer classes require nothing besides a browser. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourisenough Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 My DD13 is successfully using her Chromebook for online classes with WHA, Center for Lit, and Integritas Academy. She has had a few glitches, but I’m not sure they are specific to her Chromebook. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 My classes use Webex-- there is a 'work a round' for chromebook users- so it it (chromebook) is able to be used but it can be a pain to set up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephinsocal Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 One Chromebook feature I like is the ability to set up a user account that only permits access to whitelisted sites. For some kids, at some times, it’s nice to be able to limit distractions. This has worked fine for us for Bravewriter, WTM, and AP Lang through PAH. Sometimes they’ll need to click through to other sites to complete assignments; in that case I just let them on my own, less restricted user account. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Zoom and Gatherplace are the platforms that ds has used for classes in the past. At the time no chrome extensions were available, so he had to use a different computer. But I looked them up just now and both now seem to offer a chrome extension. So maybe it isn't as much of an issue anymore. That's good news! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellen Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 My son has a class on Blackboard that doesn't work with Chromebooks. He can do all parts of it but the streaming video of the teacher's lecture. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momto4inSoCal Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 We use blackboard through WTMA and the streaming works on our chromebook. I wonder if it's specific to the brand? We have lenovo? So far we've only used veritas press self paced, WTMA and streaming Roman Roads media but all of them have worked fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 I posted a link in another thread, possibly 4 to 6 weeks ago, to an article comparing what one can do with a very low-end Windows Laptop, and with a Chromebook. The low-end Windows Laptop is far more capable. IMO the best feature of the Chromebooks is the number of hours they can operate on their batteries. And they boot quickly. They are less complicated, but also less capable. If a Chromebook does what you need to do, perfectly, then I would go with a Chromebook, but, if in the future you might need additional capability, I would go with a very low-end Windows Laptop. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkT Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 Suggestion: Purchase a used computer from a reputable outfit and re-load it with Linux Ubuntu (free) https://www.ubuntu.com/ DS got a 4 year Lenovo laptop and it works great with Ubuntu for just about everything. You can install the Chrome Browser so that would be similar to a Chromebook. =========== Curiously the Chromebook and iPad are getting the B&M school business. example product http://www.hmhco.com/media-center/press-releases/2014/june/hmh-player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Chromebooks do not support Skype video calls, at least not without some sort of workaround. Otherwise I love my CB. It's cheap, and since I use google Drive to store all my docs anyway, it's all I need 95% of the time. (I don't skype much.) But check the tech requirements of your class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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