Google Chromecast

Google Chromecast

Google Chromecast

Chromecast:

Chromecast is a streaming media device for TVs and projectors without “smart” capabilities. A TV or projector used with a Chromecast device can be used to display media shared from laptops and mobile devices that are on the same network. Chromecast-enabled devices:

  • mirror an Android screen for photos, slides, social media sites.
  • mirror a website open in Chrome on a laptop or PC.
  • mirror Google Chrombooks.

Only certain apps (like Chrome browser, Google Drive apps, Youtube, and Netflix) can cast to a Chromecast device. Any devices you want to connect to a Chromecast must be on the same network as the Chromecast.

Cast:

Cast capability is integrated into Chrome browser and some streaming media sites like Youtube, Netflix, and Hulu. Use it as a verb. When you cast you share what is displayed on your screen to the screen of a device connected to a Chromecas . You can cast from any cast-enabled app or Chrome web browser to a TV connected to a Chromecast device. Casting from a Cast-enabled app uses the bandwidth of the Chromecast device to which it is connected while streaming media. Note that this is not screen mirroring. In contrast, if you cast from your Chrome browser, the Chromecast will mirror the browser tab of the device you are casting from.

Google Cast for Education

Cast for Education is primarily for face-to-face settings, where you are in the same room as people with whom you want to share screens. It enables a PC, Mac, or Chromebook to be a Cast receiver even if there is no Chromecast device connected. No special hardware is required.

To get started install Cast for Education onto your computer from the Chrome Web Store. Students can then Cast to your computer IF:

  • you are running Cast for Education,
  • your computer and your students’ computers are all on the same network,
  • they are running Chrome browser AND are logged into their Google apps account (@cusd50.org),
  • and they are trying to connect using a PC, or Chromebook.

Casting is an option if you need a way to enable your students to share what is on their screen to a large classroom screen. There are more elegant and feature-rich ways to do this, but Casting is an inexpensive, on-the-spot solution.

Quick LInks:

Google Cast Now Built in to Chrome

Google Cast for Education