Chromebooks and Google Apps

Chromebooks hit the market in limited numbers in 2010 and took off when Samsung introduced the Series 5 in 2011. In the years since Chromebooks have managed to grab 20% of the mobile computing market in education (Rolfe Winkler, WSJ). The features, collaboration tools, durability, and price point all make Chromebooks an attractive option for student and teacher devices.

The original intent of the Google Apps for Education project was to focus on the rollout, and management, of the Google Apps District domain. As our journey has progressed it's become clear that device management, in particular Chromebooks, and Google Apps cannot be easily separated into two different conversations. We are now gathering information to help inform policy and procedures for asset and device management. Below are some photos from a recent school visit.

Visiting Boise-Eliot to take a look at their recently purchased
cart of Samsung Series 3 Chromebooks.

A combination of staff from IT met with Sarah Dyste to refine
the domain enrollment process.

We have also updated the IT purchasing standards to reflect the current Chromebook offerings. Schools will now be able to purchase both Samsung Series 3 and Dell Chromebook 11!