ChromeOS For Staff

Getting Started with ChromeOS?

Staff getting started with a new ChromeOS device can access help with their devices in a number of ways:

Self guided learning using Google's support materials,
Reaching out to their EdTech Lead for support or additional training,
Asking their students for help (they've been using ChromeOS for years!),
Connecting with an ETS school technician,
Or reaching out to your assigned TIPS consultant.

ChromeOS Resources

ChromeOS YouTube Playlist

ChromeOS for Educators: Empowering Teaching and Learning

ChromeOS is a cloud-first operating system designed for simplicity, speed, and security. With its seamless integration with Google Workspace and a wide array of educational apps, it's the perfect platform for teachers to enhance their workflow and student engagement.

Transitioning to ChromeOS

While ChromeOS offers a unique experience, the transition from Windows is smooth. Many familiar tasks are performed similarly, and you'll find a wide range of educational apps in the Chrome Web Store or through Google Workspace.

Key benefits for educators:

Robust Security: Automatic updates and built-in protections safeguard against malware and viruses, ensuring a secure learning environment.
Enhanced Collaboration: Google Workspace integration enables seamless real-time collaboration on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, fostering teamwork and creativity.
Student-Centered Learning: The ability to work in ChromeOS allows teachers to demo exactly what students need to do and support students with the use of their own devices (Chromebooks).
Effortless Setup and Management: ChromeOS is quick to deploy and easy to manage, saving valuable IT resources and reducing downtime.

Rationale and Key Advantages of Moving to ChromeOS?

ChromeOS is a lightweight operating system developed by Google that the Division has been using as our primary student platform (Chromebooks) for the past decade. ChromeOS allows for strong security monitoring and simplified management of devices.

On the user's end, ChromeOS provides system-wide integration of Google Workspace tools, as well as seamless transition between ChromeOS devices. Jumping between Staff workstations, and Chromebooks could not be easier, with your Google Drive files, settings, and bookmarks being saved to the cloud.

Additionally, transitioning staff to the same operating system as 75 000 student devices (Chromebooks) allows teachers to be able to support students in their use of technology in the classroom.

EdTech Tools Privacy Review Database

The use of any app with students in a classroom setting should follow the existing Division processess related to privacy and data security. The Division has developed a review process and built a database of tools that have been reviewed. Some are considered software of the Division and can be used with all students, others require parents/guardians to be informed as part of third party FOIP prcesses and some should be avoided. To see the collection of reviewed tools and read more about the processes related to each type of reeview recommendation please refer to this link or click the icon on the right. Descriptions of the different types of "apps" avaialble on ChromeOS devices check out the desctiptions below

Addons

Workspace Addons allow user to add functionality to a number of Workspace apps like Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. They can be added directly from within the Google Workspace apps by selecting "Extension" in the app tool bar. These apps are housed in the Google Workspace Marketplace.

Extensions

Chrome Browser extensions add functionality to the Chrome Browser. (Example Read&Write for Chrome) These extensions can be found and added in the Chrome Webstore and managed by selecting the extension icaon (Grey puzzle piece) in the top right of a Chrome Brpwser window.

Apps

ChromeOS apps are native applications that run on a ChromeOS device. These are installed by links to Webstore apps but are being replaced by tools that work directly in browser tabs by 2025 so links are generally only found when shared by hardware manufacturers (Example Ipevo Visualizer)

Android Apps

A limited number of Play store android apps can be used by teachers and students. These can be found by opening the playstore on the ChromeOS device and reviewing teh available tools.

What are Staff-Spec ChromeOS Devices?

Staff ChromeOS devices are powered by hardware that is on average 9 times more powerful than a standard student Chromebook. For comparison refer to the drop downs below to see the differences between the current average student and Staff-Spec devices.

The Comparison
The Intel Core i5-1235U is a multitasking powerhouse with more cores and speed. Think of it as a race car vs. a zippy scooter! Upgraded memory means more space for handling multiple things at once. Much more space to store lots of files and apps. Performance is nearly 9 times higher - a higher benchmark score means the Staff-Spec Chrome device can web browse, run web apps, and handle productivity tools easily.

ChromeOS Device Comparison

EPSB Student Device

Processor: Celeron N4020, 2 Cores 2 threads (max 2.4GHZ)
Memory: 4 GB, LPDDR4
Storage: 32 GB Flash Memory
Benchmark Score: 1556

EPSB Staff-Spec Device

Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U
Memory:16GB LPDDR4X
Storage: 128-256GB SSD
Benchmark Score: 13572

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