Anyone using a ChromeBook?

pinknurse09 · May 24, 2014

Ok---I am starting the RN-BSN program July 1st. I have NO COMPUTER at home (my laptop died last year *sadface*but I do have access to a computer at work. I am also considering getting a chromebook for my WGU classes. Any new points of interest for this subject? One major concern I have is accessing the books for studying...

schnookimz · May 24, 2014

Ok---I am starting the RN-BSN program July 1st. I have NO COMPUTER at home (my laptop died last year *sadface*but I do have access to a computer at work. I am also considering getting a chromebook for my WGU classes. Any new points of interest for this subject? One major concern I have is accessing the books for studying...

Try to test out the computers at work. Where I work, the computers aren't compatible with the WGU student portal AT ALL!

benegesserit · May 24, 2014

I use a Chromebook. It works for about 95% of stuff, but the other 5% really need a computer running Windows (or presumably MacOS, as that's pretty mainstream and I haven't heard any complaints from the Mac users).

The initial intake interview with my student mentor, where we went over the degree plan, required an Adobe screen sharing program that doesn't run on the Chromebook, so I went somewhere else to do that. (We ended up mainly talking through it anyways because the internet connection was too slow).

The preassessments require Windows for no clear reason that I can see. I have managed to work around this one with the Chomebook, but it's pretty technical.

The OAs require windows/mac if you plan to use online proctoring. I take the OAs at a testing center.

A few classes (I believe just Applied Health Assessment and Speech, if you have to take it as a prerequisite) require that you record yourself on video and upload it to Panopto. The panopto site requires that you have an extension called Silverlight installed in order to upload, even if you use your own video camera to record rather than the panopto program. Silverlight doesn't work on the Chromebook. I had to send the file to someone from the IT department who put it on panopto, which isn't really an ideal solution, and may not always be an available option.

Most of the textbooks are through VitalSource, and I've had no problems viewing them online with the Chromebook. But yes, it does require that you be online at the time - you can't download them to Chrome. I have the VitalSource app on my phone and have them downloaded there, so I use that when I need to view them offline. The online textbook for Community Health is not through VitalSource, but another textbook company. Their website doesn't work on Chromebook. But even on Windows I find it excessively annoying to navigate, and will probably just ignore it (and maybe see if I can find a cheap copy of the textbook to buy, because I actually do want to refer to it).

Everything else (The WGU website, writing papers and powerpoints (I use google docs), reading textbooks, Taskstream, etc.) has worked just fine with Chromebooks. So I wouldn't recommend against it as long as you have a reliable option for the few things it won't do.

I agree about making sure the computers at your job will work with the student portal. I've had problems with that. Also, make sure that you can do things like install extension, upload large files, and have dedicated use for a good period of time when doing a preassessment, as those are things commonly restricted in healthcare environments, and also the areas where the Chromebook won't work.

pinknurse09 · May 24, 2014

Great information! A couple of nurses I work with are well into the program, and have talked me into going to a testing site, as well, for the OA's. A conventional laptop would be ideal, but I am tempted with the low-cost of the chromebooks, and my son LOVES his! Thank you for your advice!

pinknurse09 · Jul 2, 2014

OK, @Jess6: How did you work around taking the pre-assessments with your Chromebook? I just tried and failed. My son is pretty "techie", so if you have any advice, that would be fabulous!

benegesserit · Jul 2, 2014

I'll try.

First, I forgot to mention that I think this will only work on intel-based Chromebooks (Does it have an "Intel Inside" sticker? If not, it may not work. The Samsung ones won't work. My Acer Chromebook does.)

If your son is familiar with linux, it isn't too difficult. If he isn't, it may be easier just to find somewhere else to do the preassessments.

Follow the instructions here: How to Install Linux on a Chromebook and Unlock Its Full Potential

Note that THIS WIPES OUT ALL THE DATA ON YOUR CHROMEBOOK AND RESTORES IT TO FACTORY DEFAULT! With Chromebooks, this tends not to be a huge deal, because all your account settings, bookmarks, and so forth are saved on the internet, so they'll be back as soon as you login again. But if you have a bunch of files saved on the Chromebook, they'll be wiped out, so you'll want to back them up first.

After that step is complete (I think it took about 45 minutes or so), he needs to follow the directions to start up the linux part, and then download and install a program called PlayOnLinux. Open a terminal window (it's the icon that looks like >_ at the bottom of the screen, and type "sudo apt-get install playonlinux"). That should do the trick.

After that is installed, go into the applications menu, then "games" (the program was originally developed for gaming, but don't worry about that). When the program starts, you will see an install button. Click on that, and it will give you a menu where you can install Firefox, Internet Explorer, and other Windows programs. The icon for the program that you install should appear on your desktop, and you can click on it, login to WGU, and take the test. (If it doesn't appear on your desktop, it will appear in PlayOnLinux and you can run it from there)

I hope that's clear enough!