K-12 Education is Embracing Chromebooks and the Google Ecosystem
Great article. I have been helping K-12 schools all over the country migrate to 1:1 models for several years. When deploying 50 to 1,050 devices at a school site, budget limitations are real and options need to be considered. Over the last 2 years, many of our schools, with our assistance and planning model (SWIMGrid), have chosen the Chromebook and Google Apps / Drive / Tools ecosystem and are doing quite well. The per-device cost is 1/3 to 1/2 of iPads or laptops. Build quality seems to have been improved with the latest Samsung Model. The biggest challenge has been keeping up with the constant changes, improvements and updates from Google. What you are making it better? Again? Welcome to technology K-12.
Your comment about "access-centric" vs "file-centric" is spot on. I will share our key to success in K-12 schools...1) Assess, train and support classroom teachers first and foremost. 2) Be sure students get access to basic skills before being introduced to integrated classroom content. 3) Integrate existing classroom content first so teachers feel comfortable with the lessons they are asked to use, "do the heavy lifting for them" and bring these integrated lessons to teachers on a "silver platter". 4) Be sure the network and wireless infrastructure is bullet proof and finally 5) be sure assessments are in place and project management responsibilities are established.
There is not a one-size-fits all approach for K-12 schools and last but not least, a one day in-service is NOT the answer! #btek12 #swimgrid #edtech
