Chromebooks 101
What to expect when using Chromebooks with your students
What is a Chromebook?
Essentially, anything you can do on the internet you can do on a Chromebook. Think of it as a laptop that runs and operates off the internet. Without an internet connection the Chromebook will not work. One key thing to consider as well is Java. If the website requires Java, it will not run correctly on a chromebook as Java is not supported.
Log-in Information
Staff and students will log in to Chromebooks using their Cabarrus Google Apps account. Everyone has been provided a Google account which is set up for you.
**This should be one of the only times students are using the account. We should be encouraging our students to use Office 365 for their cloud account instead of Cabarrus Apps.
Staff Username: firstname.lastname
Staff Password: Same as email and computer log in password
Student Username: f l a s t 4 3 2 1
- f = first letter of first name
- last = whole last name
- 4321 = last 4 digits of student ID number
Student Password: Whole student ID number
(Rarely, a student *may* need to enter a full email address to access their Google Account. This will be their username@st.cabarrus.k12.nc.us. Please note, this is different from their Office 365 account which is their username@cabarrus.k12.nc.us).
What a Chromebook Can/Cannot Do
- Do internet research
- Use webtools to create work products (see below)
- Access and use Office 365 to use Microsoft Word Online, Excel online, PowerPoint online, One Drive, and more!
- Collaborate - students can use the share feature to collaborate on group projects within Google Drive or Office 365.
- Student Feedback - students can share work with you through Google Drive or Office 365 and you can provide feedback within the document or by using the comment feature.
Cannot
- Java: Like an iPad, websites and apps requiring Java will not run correctly on a Chromebook.
- Microsoft Office Suite - When using a Chromebook, you will not have access to Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, or Excel software. You can access these apps online through Office 365. These software packages are not able to be installed on a Chromebook because it does not have a hard drive. An alternative is to use the apps through Google Drive (Docs, Slides, Sheets). These apps automatically save work for students and are accessible from any device.
- Software Install - iMovie, KidPix, etc will not work and are able to be installed on Chromebooks. Instead, students will use web tools available online to create work.