Boulder Valley's Pay As You Go Plan

Students in Boulder Valley, Colorado, will be assessed a $45 yearly fee in order to pay for Chromebooks. At the end of four years, the devices will be owned by the students. On the surface, this seems like a reasonable fee to pay: $180 for a Chromebook. What parents and students need to consider, however, is protecting that investment.

Chromebook Insurance

We've seen several insurance plans for Chromebooks. Some school districts think that this is the way to go because it's kind of hands-off. In fact, I know of one of the largest school districts in the country (located in Wisconsin) that snickers at trying to protect Chromebooks because of the insurance plan it has. Frankly, that's sad. Does having car insurance mean you can drive like a maniac? Does having life insurance mean that you tempt death? Just like any other insurance, Chromebook coverage is a way for a company to make money off your schools, which means insurance will cost you more than just fixing the Chromebooks yourself.

A Chromebook, a Case, and a Plan in Schools

You've got your Dell, Acer, Samsung, Lenovo, or whatever Chromebook. You've got your iPearl or Cranium hard or soft case or cover. Now what? Now, you need a plan.

The Only Fitted Chromebook Case That Can be Reused / Upcycled / Recycled

We've seen many Chromebook covers and cases, but what happens AFTER your Chromebooks are done being used? After five years, the useful life of a Chromebook comes to an end, but then you have all the cases or covers left that ONLY fit that Chromebook. Soft carrying cases aside, what about all those fitted covers and cases? Wouldn't it be nice if those could be reused, recycled, or upcycled?

GMYLE Hard Case Cover for Samsung Series 3 Chromebook

This is a 3 in 1 bundle that includes a hard case cover, keyboard cover, and screen protector. This GMYLE product stresses its fun colors, not its hard case's ability to protect the unit, other than saying the hard case is thin. The screen cover will perform like one you use on your mobile phone. The keyboard cover is silicon.

Chromebooks With Cases Saving Millions of Dollars? Yes

Let's say your school district wants to go 1:1. It's the cool thing to do, and maybe you have the money to do it now. There's a hidden problem that a lot of schools brush off until it's too late: repair costs. This article talks about Derby Schools and their repair issues. That school district had two main problems, and those were using Macs and breaking those Macs. We have a solution that will work wonders for your school district.

Can Your Chromebook Cover Do This?

Chromebook Cover

Somehow I doubt you'd want to try this with any other Chromebook case or cover. I have a Cranium by Educabana installed on my Cheapo Lenovo. But I can hold the device by the screen. That's what kids do. In fact, that's what I do with my old HP laptop, and that's why the screen has a dozen lines in it.

Don't try to do this with a Chromebook without a case of some sort. That bendy screen needs a cover, and the Cranium is one option. Look for our full review on this website.

Cranium Chromebook cover

Online Testing With Your Chromebooks

I know, the goal of writing this blog is to cover Chromebook covers, but I really have to throw this out there to anyone who teaches and wants to use Chromebooks to quiz students. I had two free methods that worked fairly well, and my district also bought a disaster of a program that did not. I know more exist than the two that I used, but any teacher knows that testing too many testing programs is a waste of time.

Skins as Covers for Chromebooks

I'm only mentioning skins on this website because someone out there will make the decision to purchase one, thinking it will protect the Chromebook. Skins are not made to do anything more than add a layer of vinyl that looks cool. Decalrus makes it clear in its description and in an image that

This product is NOT made of rubber, silicone, gel, or plastic.

amCase 11.6 Inch Chromebook Sleeve

The amCase sleeve/case allows any 11.6 to 12 inch Chromebook to fit inside its protective cocoon. This product has more than 4 stars on Amazon, and it's a simple accessory that works. The ad claims it has a

Slim, sleek design [that] allows this case to be carried solo or fit in your favorite bag.

I would agree that it's much less bulky than many of the briefcases I've seen weighing students down.

The biggest drawback of the amCase is that it cannot protect the Chromebook once in use. However, for $10, I'd get one of these to go with my Cranium or Ipearl.