Chromebook (and slight comparisons to the iPad)

     A few weeks ago at EdCamp I had some luck on my side and won a Google Chromebook to use in my classroom and with my students.  I also have 10 iPads for student use in my classroom.  So choosing a select group of students (I have groups of three for projects, etc.) I had students using the Chromebook in each class.  I also used it in the evenings to create my google slides presentations.  Here are some of the things we've learned and things my students pointed out.

For Teachers:
Likes: 

• LIGHT WEIGHT - the Chromebook is uber light and really easy to transport home compared to a traditional lap top.  
• GOOGLE - it allows me to access my google account for drive, website, e-mail, etc. and allows for each navigation on the web for web quests, etc.
• Easy to Use and can add Apps (Quizlet) really easily 
• USB Port!!! It has it (which the iPads do not) 

Dislikes:

• No matter whether you want it to be a laptop or not - it is not and you can not access your grade book on it
• No CD drive or Ethernet slot - I go to an office during my planning with no wireless connection and it has a port on the wall, but with no matching port on the Chromebook there's no internet while in the office (you can however work online as long as you didn't close it before entering the office)

For Students:

Likes:

• Keyboard - My students loved that there was a keyboard - even when they were doing assignments where you didn't need a keyboard more than typing in a login they still liked the keyboard
• Angles - My students like that you could adjust the screen to multiple angles (on my iPads they use the case to support them so they have three options - flat, slight or more slanted)
• Speed - some felt the Chromebook was faster (I don't think that was really a difference, just certain periods the network seems to work faster)
• Weight - Light weight

Dislikes:

• Weight - some of my students felt it was too light and would be too easy for them to break it
• Projects - when asked if they'd like it for everything in class they said they'd want the iPad for projects like iMovie and Voicethread (But they'd like the Chromebook for Quizlet and Web Quests)
• Google Sign In - some didn't remember their sign in, some had never signed into their google account at all so another sign in (it is somewhat long for students) and a password; the iPads don't have a sign in unless they're using a specific program

Overall:

My students were split and for multiple reasons whether they'd want to give up the iPads for Chromebooks or vice versa (not that they have the choice or option to do so - we have what we have). A couple things that surprised me - 1) Status symbol - some of the students considered the iPads to be a status symbol and would simply want the iPads because they're iPads;  they felt the Chromebook wasn't to the same level of status as an iPad; 2) Want Both - they said they'd want both for their group so they could bounce between the two and utilize each for their benefits (Chromebook - Keyboard and Research; iPad - iMovie and projects)  I pointed out that that seemed a little greedy/expensive, but that didn't seem to change their opinions.