There are a wide range of tablet and laptop-style devices available on the market and Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Academy have tested a number of devices available on the market; taking into consideration cost, reliability and cost when considering the type of device which would be best suited to students in our academy.
A Chromebook looks like a laptop in appearance but operates in a very different way with students accessing services and apps online. The Chromebook operating system is produced by Google who provide a wealth of apps and services which are specifically designed to support students in education.
Chromebook devices boot-up in a matter of seconds and have a battery life that lasts up to 8 hours, dependant on use. Chromebook devices are managed centrally by our IT Support Team to ensure that access is safe and secure. Internet content is filtered, via Smoothwall, to ensure students can access everything they need for their studies.
Students need to be prepared for an increasingly digital world. Research has confirmed that good home access to technology has a positive impact on a child’s educational achievements; it often motivates them to do schoolwork by providing more interesting and engaging ways to learn.
Student work is often better presented so their self-esteem grows and they can explore subjects that interest them in their own time.

Chromebook Features
Less than 8 seconds to boot up Long battery life
Simple technology
Easy student-teacher workflow
Large numbers of computers can be managed centrally
Excellent collaboration tools
Works seamlessly with Google Apps for Education and other cloud based applications which all of our students and teachers already use extensively.

The following are just a few examples of what students will do at Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Academy:
Create and share using Google Docs
Use subject related apps in the classroom and at home
Collaborative learning
Submitting work via Google Classroom