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Introduction to Chromebooks

Rick Bray

rbray@btboces.org, @MrChemGeek

Taylor Norton

tnorton@btboces.org, @WinMEtech

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On your Post-It Notes...

GREEN: One positive thing you have heard about Chromebooks

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RED: One negative thing you have heard about Chromebooks

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Notes?

  • This presentation can be found in the Schoology class folder (SAMRi)

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  • It can also be found at: bit.ly/introCB

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Workshop Outcomes

  1. Define and compare a Chromebook versus other computers
  2. Basic functions of a chromebook
    1. Power on/Power off
    2. Log in/Log off
  3. Install Apps and Extensions
  4. Google Drive (basic level at this time)
  5. “Local” storage vs. “cloud” storage
  6. Chromebooks vs. Chrome browser

Just a reminder: If you would like to learn more about Google apps (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms), please register for an upcoming class on them

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Desktop

Shelf

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Desktop

  • You can not store files here like a windows or mac machine
    • Remember, these machines are designed to work alongside the web
    • Therefore, limited local storage space
  • Time to learn how to save files to a destination and find those files :-)

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“Shelf”

Magnifying Glass or Waffle

(Similar to Windows Icon)

Commonly used apps

(more can be added as desired)

Clock and Settings area

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Helpful Chromebook Tips:

You can always attach a USB/Bluetooth mouse if you want

Right Click: 2 finger tap on track pad

Keyboard shortcut overlay: CTRL+ALT+?

Log out/Shut down are the same

  • Click on your picture in the lower right corner
  • Click the Power symbol

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Apps vs. Extensions

Apps

  • Opens a new window/webpage
  • Waits for you to engage
  • Examples:
    • Schoology
    • Google Keep
    • DocHub
    • Pixlr Editor

Extensions

  • Operates on the webpage you are currently on
  • Always waiting to be used
  • Examples:
    • Window Tiler
    • Extensity
    • Screencastify
    • goo.gl URL shortener

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Chrome Web Store

Apps and extensions can both be downloaded from the Chrome app store

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One of our favorite extensions

“Window Tiler”

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  • Pull down any tab off the toolbar, and release to make a new window
  • Click the Window Tiler icon to multi-display all separate windows

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Google Drive/Cloud Storage

  • Google Drive acts as a “hard drive” on the web
    • Unlike a computer, Google Drive can be accessed anywhere you have internet access
    • Files can also be easily shared for collaboration
  • You can organize it the same way you would on your computer
  • ANY files can be stored in Google Drive

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Local storage vs. Cloud storage on Chromebooks

  • Chromebooks are designed to store files on the cloud
    • Web based machine
    • Not exclusively web based, but depending on your usage, a minimum of 50% web, 50% non-web is minimum
  • There is internal storage, but it is very limited
    • “Files” and “Downloads” on your Chromebook
    • Accessed by Magnifying glass → All Apps → FIles

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Chrome Web Browser

  • Any computer can become a “chromebook” by using the Chrome web browser
  • Sign in by clicking the “person” icon in the top right corner
    • You can also click the hotdog → Settings → Sign in
  • All apps and extensions will be there
    • That’s the beauty of Chrome!

Chrome Security

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How to “sign in” to the chrome web browser

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1

2

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Signed in: All my bookmarks show up

Not signed in: No bookmarks present

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In closing...

  • Please be sure to take the BCTC Course evaluation for today
  • You can find it in the Schoology Course materials section (at the bottom) or via this link
  • SAMRi participants, you will have an additional assignment to be completed by March. Details can be found in the course folder on Schoology
  • Upcoming classes:
    • What is Google?: Jan 11
    • Google Docs: Feb 4
    • Google Forms: Feb 8

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