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Post date: Nov 15, 2015 1:18:27 PM
Post by Martyn Crawshaw, PT Science, Millburn Academy.
Most major science apparatus suppliers are now aware of the shift to ChromeBooks (especially in the USA) and are developing interfaces and software to accommodate this platform. Vernier and Pasco are two common sets of probes which can now connect to Chromebooks with free apps for basic data logging. Early experience with these systems seems optimistic with both systems easily used by pupils for datalogging. A key advantage is that results can be saved to Google drive and shared by groups electronically within google classroom for experimental write-ups
After a short meeting of Science teachers keen to embrace the Council’s new direction in ICT a few practitioners have been trialling Google Classroom and Chromebooks in Science.
Initially our main concerns about the new infrastructure were about specific software and interfacing of science probes of experimental work. Most ‘legacy’ software packages are unlikely to work on newer managed PCs or ChromeBooks and Science departments would need to retain standalone PCs for this purpose.
Although I only have two classes signed up to Google Classroom it would appear to have all the functionality of Edmodo etc. plus further benefits of more integrated document sharing within the Google environment. All pupils are pre-registered and setting up accounts for use within classroom takes approx 15 minutes preferably in the same room to help with queries. Once the class are set up they can access their resources on any platform running the Google Chrome browser, chromebooks, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, even windows PCs! Again, a key benefit is the ability to collaborate on research and reporting of learning tasks using online shared documents.
I gave a short presentation to the local Institute of Physics teacher’s update day on 14th December at Inverness College UHI and the slides can be found at
Overall some aspects take a while to get used to but overall a high level of functionality and usability is a fair summary of my initial experience.
On behalf of the ICT in Learning Team, thanks Martyn!
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