A Guide to Purchasing Chromebooks for Irish Primary Schools

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As technology becomes an integral part of teaching and learning, Chromebooks have emerged as a popular choice for Irish primary schools. There are many reasons for this. They are affordable, easy to use, and tailored for educational settings. They also require no technical support as they are basically a “dumb” machine with very little that can go wrong with them.

However, buying Chromebooks requires careful thought to ensure they meet the needs of students, staff, and the school’s budget, especially for schools that might be used to a different ecosystem like Apple or Microsoft. This guide is here to help school leaders make informed decisions.

1. Budget Planning

Before you start, it’s essential to plan your budget. Think about more than just the upfront cost of the Chromebooks — factor in management licences, training, and accessories. Ultimately, I don’t think one needs training for Chromebooks. If you can use a browser, you can use a Chromebook. However, I would highly recommend ensuring that your Chromebooks are managed. This is an added ~€30 cost per Chromebook but it is essential to ensure that the Chromebooks can be administered properly.

2. Device Specifications

The specifications of a Chromebook will determine how well it works in your classrooms. Here’s what to keep in mind (at this time of writing — January 2025):

• Processor: For most classroom tasks, an Intel Celeron or MediaTek processor will do the job. If you need something more powerful, consider an Intel Core i3 or i5.
• RAM: Aim for at least 4GB of RAM. If you want the Chromebooks to run a bit faster, go for 8GB.
• Storage: Most work will be stored in the cloud, so 32GB or 64GB of storage should be plenty.
• Battery Life: Look for devices with at least 10 hours of battery life — you don’t want them running out of charge before the day is over.
• Durability: Features like spill-proof keyboards and reinforced edges are useful for devices used by children.
• Screen Size: For younger pupils, 11-inch screens are easier to handle. Older pupils might benefit from larger screens, like 13 or 14 inches. However, 11 inch is usually plenty.

3. End-of-Life Support

Chromebooks come with an Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date. This tells you how long the device will receive software updates. Make sure you check this date before buying — you’ll want devices that are supported for at least five years.

4. Management Licences

I mentioned this earlier but it’s worth going into again. Managing multiple devices can be very tricky without the right tools.

• Why Managed Licences Matter: These licences let IT administrators control settings, push updates, and manage apps remotely. Without them, you’re in for a massive headache.
• Bulk Licensing: Buying licences in bulk often reduces costs, so plan for this in your budget.

5. Native and Third-Party Apps

Chromebooks are built to work with Google’s suite of apps, like Google Classroom, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. These tools are perfect for collaboration in schools.

Some Third-Party Apps:

• Seesaw: Great for student assignments and parent communication.
• Mathletics: Interactive maths games and challenges.
• Scratch: A fun, block-based way to teach coding.
• Book Creator: Ideal for making digital books and multimedia projects.

6. Google Workspace vs Microsoft Office

Chromebooks are designed for Google Workspace, but many schools use Microsoft Office. Here’s how they compare:

• Google Workspace: Free for schools, easy to use, and fully integrated with Chromebooks. Apps like Google Classroom are brilliant for primary school settings.
• Microsoft Office: You can use Office 365 online on Chromebooks. If your school already relies on Microsoft, it’s worth ensuring everything works smoothly. While you can use Microsoft products on a Chromebook, in some ways it can lead to some issues.

7. Managed Login Tools

Logging in can be a hassle for younger pupils. Tools like Clever Go or MyLogin from Wonde make the process easier. They work really well with managed Chromebooks.

• Pupils can log in using QR codes or badges.
• Less time wasted on login problems.
• Secure and GDPR-compliant.

8. Connectivity and Networking

Check your school’s Wi-Fi setup. You’ll need a reliable connection to support multiple devices. If internet access is patchy, look for Chromebooks with good offline capabilities. However, I’d say that if you have poor wi-fi, Chromebooks are probably not for your school.

9. Training and Professional Development

While I don’t think CPD is necessary for Chromebooks, teachers need to feel confident using them. Sometimes, having one session with an external Google expert can take away some of the suspicions around them. As teachers we can be quite tied to tradition, so moving away from Windows to Chrome can take some convincing.

10. Warranty and Support

Make sure the Chromebooks come with a decent warranty. It’s worth considering extended warranties or accidental damage cover, especially for devices used by younger children. Remember most warranties don’t cover physical damage so be careful!

Conclusion

Chromebooks can be a game-changer for Irish primary schools. They certainly were the solution for my school. They are cheap, easy to use, and reduce the need for technical support because they are such simple devices. Effectively, if one breaks, it’s often cheaper and more efficient to swap it out for a new one.