Updated May 2017 – with good news!
I am a huge fan of iPads AND Chromebooks. I think both can be integrated purposefully into the classroom in ways that are very powerful to the learning experience. Both devices can accomplish almost any form of masterful technology integration, boost critical thinking, and help to make student thinking visible. As many classrooms and teachers move between the two devices, they often struggle to find similar applications – to supplement the one they came to love on the opposite machine.
To help those teachers moving from an iPad to Chromebook, here are a few ways you can use the Chromebook to do some of the great things you’ve grown to love on an iPad.
When you get a Chromebook, you have the power of Google Apps for Education, in all its glory, right at your fingertips! So Rejoice! You can now use Google in ways you could not with the iPad. You might be sad at first, but once you see the new power of Google on a Chromebook, you will be so excited by the new possibilities.
Your favorite iPad apps should have been Explain Everything and Book Creator – and if they were here is some game-changing news!
The only feature missing is the ability to work collaboratively in real-time…but that is small. All other features are there and ready for students to make their thinking and learning visible. Stop reading, go get it. It will change the way students demonstrate understanding in your classroom.
I have even better news!
If you are trying to do ebooks – Don’t do anything – don’t try and do any hacks… just wait for the release! It will change teaching and learning in your Chromebook classroom guaranteed.
Since iPad teachers love Book Creator… I got seen a sneak preview. I promise you will love it…here is what you will see more of soon.
Making Movies:
Do you love iMovie on the iPad? Me too, but WeVideo is one of my favorite Chrome Apps ever! It is an easy to use video creation program. I find that students who can make iMovies quickly figure out the controls and navigation of WeVideo. The best part about WeVideo is that students can work together from different machines on the same movie – score one point for the collaborative classroom.
Soundtrap is a new app that is changing the way computers do music. Soundtrap is a collaborative digital audio workstation that allows teachers and students to create sound recordings much like Garageband did – but what makes it even better is that it is collaborative with anyone from around the world. While I love Garageband, you can’t beat the collaborative feature – so I don’t miss it!
Come learn more about Chromebooks at a GAFE Summit this year. The learning at the summits experience is mind-blowing and there is bound to be one in a city near you!