Suggestions for Tech at Home

You may want to purchase a Chromebook for your child so the device is at home and managed by the family. This has the additional benefit of being able to be used by others as well as have the student create their own Google account that is not managed by the school district - if the student is ready for this responsibility. Any time a student logs on with their vcusd.org, network filters are in place.

Below are some things to be aware of when purchasing a Chromebook:

• All Chromebooks come with an expiration date. Know when your device will stop receiving automatic updates from Google. This is especially important when viewing online deals or sales.
• The minimum amount of RAM should be 4GB
• The minimum amount of hard drive space should be 32GB. More is better for devices that will be shared.
• Read some reviews from reliable sources
  • Android Central
  • CNET
  • Android Police

The following are optional and everyone has different preferences when it comes to using technology. The list starts with our most recommended item:

• Headphones: beyond recreational, headphones allow the user to concentrate and block out surrounding noises. Consider headphones that have a microphone so your child can more easily participate in video conferencing. Options may range from corded to wireless (Chromebooks work with bluetooth) and prices range from $3 to $300. Below are just some options available
  • simple earbuds with microphone
  • over-the-ear with microphone
• Mouse: a mouse may help younger students still learning fine motor skills or it may enable older students to be more efficient in creating their presentation. Again, there are corded and wireless options. Some favor the plug-and-play simplicity of a mouse with a USB cable whereas others prefer the freedom of a cordless mice. Be sure to consider the size of the primary user's hand when purchasing a mouse.
• Laptop case or sleeve: An 11" laptop case or sleeve is good insurance against breakage. It also helps keep the device clean and reinforces the notion that when you bring out the Chromebook, it's a serious matter... even if it's just to listen to music.
• Organizing case: Remember when we had pencil organizers that stored erasers, sharpeners, scissors, crayons, and everything else? Well, the same thing applies here. Students should have a simple organizer where they keep their charger, mouse, USB drive, headphones, and whatever else they may use. A simple case costs between $7 - $20. In fact, if you have a pencil organizer laying around the house, that'll work fine in this instance as well.