ChromeOS Flex is an educational operating system developed by Google. It is designed to be lightweight and adaptable, enabling it to run on a variety of devices, including outdated and less capable hardware.

ChromeOS Flex is based on the ChromeOS platform and includes many of the same features, such as the ability to use Google Drive for cloud storage and support for Android applications. However, ChromeOS Flex also includes education-specific features, such as a simplified user interface and management tools for instructors and IT administrators. It can also be installed in other devices. This makes it simpler for educators to administer and customise devices and provides students with a streamlined and straightforward user experience.

Purpose

  • To provide educational contexts with a lightweight and flexible operating system.
  • To provide a simplified, user-friendly interface for pupils of all ages.
  • To provide a configurable operating system that can be tailored to the school’s or classroom’s specific requirements.
  • To provide a secure operating system with automatic updates and integrated built-in virus protection.
  • Integrate with Google services, such as Google Drive and Google Classroom, to facilitate students’ and instructors’ access to and sharing of files and collaboration on projects.
  • To facilitate Android applications that can enhance the educational experience.
  • To provide teachers and IT administrators with built-in administration tools, making it simpler to administer and customise devices.
  • To assist schools and educators in developing a digital learning environment that promotes the success and achievement of students.

Benefits

  • ChromeOS Flex is designed to be lightweight and flexible, allowing it to operate on a wide spectrum of devices, including ageing and less potent hardware.
  • It is optimal for pupils of all ages due to its user interface’s simplicity and usability.
  • It includes built-in administration tools for instructors and IT administrators, making it simple to tailor the operating system to the particular requirements of the school or classroom.
  • It is designed to be extremely secure, with automatic updates and integrated pathogen protection. This protects students and their data while they use their devices.
  • OS is integrated with Google services, such as Google Drive and Google Classroom, making it simple for students and teachers to access and share files and collaborate on projects.
  • It supports Android applications, allowing students and instructors to utilise a variety of educational apps that enhance the learning experience.

Helpful Links

ChromeOS Flex Support
Getting Started with Chromebooks (Prism for Beaconhouse)
Introduction to Google Workspace for Education
Chromebooks for Educators

 

Features

Install ChromeOS Flex on your netbooks to make them cloud-manageable, secure, quick to launch, and not susceptible to performance degradation over time.

Fast, Creative work

Booting quickly, staying fast, and updating in the background reduce device downtime.

Fast, dependable VDI and web app access.

Quick installation and simplified administration

ChromeOS Flex can be deployed across a fleet of devices through USB or network deployment. The user’s settings and policies are synchronised to the device with not much delay.

Use the Google Admin console to remotely administer updates and configure device policies.

Proactive security

Sandboxing and blocked executables eliminate antivirus software.

IT secures data on lost or stolen devices.

Use your hardware

To reduce e-waste, refresh your outdated devices with a modern operating system and extend their lifespan.

Deploy a more sustainable and energy-efficient solution while reducing the total cost of expenses.

Install ChromeOS Flex

Extended Features

Navigation

Use the app launcher to find the webstore.

Locating Files

You can use the Files App to locate all files including those in your Google Drive.

Pin Tab

The feature narrows the tab and moves it to the left of the screen.

Gestures

To right click on a Chromebook, click with two fingers on the trackpad.

Camera

In the corner of your screen, select Launcher.
Open Camera.
At the bottom, choose an option:
Select Photo > Take photo

Searching Omnibox

The omnibox remembers your search history and offers search suggestions.

Menu Bar

The menu bar is the part of a browser or application window, typically at the top left side, indicated by 3-dots.
It allow the user to interact with the content or application in various ways.

Screenshots

Taking an Entire Screen, Screenshot: 
The screenshot will automatically save in your downloads folder after pressing the (Ctrl +f5) buttons.

Taking a Partial Screenshot: 
If you want to take a picture of just part of your screen. While pressing the (Ctrl+Shift +f5) buttons.

Grouping the Tabs

  • Open Chrome .
  • Select New tab .
  • Right-click a tab and then select Add to new group. To edit your tab group, select the circle to the left of your tab. You can: Name your group. Add additional tabs to the group.
  • Remove the group. To add a tab to an existing group, drag the tab into the group.

Creating App Folders

Way 1:
Open the Files app from the Chrome OS launcher.
Go to the location where you want to create a new folder in. You can do this inside Downloads or Google Drive.
Right-click/click 3-dots and choose New Folder.
Way 2:
Put apps together in a folder: Drag an app on top of another app.
Name a folder: Click the folder.

Syncing your data

How to access other devices’ history from desktop Chrome:
  • Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of your browser.
  • Hover your mouse over History to bring up the History sub-menu.
  • Click the History button. …
  • Click Tabs from other devices.
  • Click the tab you wish to open.

Offline Mode

How to turn on offline access?
  • Open Google Drive.
  • At the top right, click Settings. Settings.
  • Turn on Offline setting. If you are using Microsoft Edge, you will be redirected to the Chrome Web Store to download the
  • Google Docs Offline extension.
  • To work offline, open Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.

Mirroring

  • You can project your Chromebook to the screen in front of the class.
  • Connect HDMI wire
  • Go on Settings > select Accessibilities > click Manage Accessibilities Features > choose Devices option > select
  • Displays > tick Mirror Built-in Display

New Incognito Window

In Incognito, none of your browsing history, cookies and site data, or information entered in forms are saved on your
device.
Incognito mode runs in a separate tab from your admin chrome accounts.
You can either open from ‘Setting’ tab or use a keyboard shortcut to open an Incognito window: Windows or Chrome OS:
Press Ctrl + Shift + n.
Note: When you enter as a guest, you are unable to find incognito option.

Advance Feature: Parental Controls

Description

Google’s parental controls are a set of tools designed to help parents restrict and monitor their children’s access to certain types of content on their devices. These controls are available on Android devices, as well as through Google’s Family Link app.

Purpose

  • To lock a tab on a Chromebook and prevent a student from opening any other tabs, you can use the “Supervised Users” feature.
  • To help parents restrict and monitor their children’s access to certain types of content on their devices.

Benefits

  • Google’s parental controls include features like screen time limits, content filtering, app and website blocking, and activity monitoring.
  • Using parental controls can promote safer and healthier online experiences for children, while giving parents peace of mind and control over what their children are exposed to.
  • Parental controls can help prevent children from accessing harmful or inappropriate content, as well as promote healthy screen time habits.
  • By using parental controls, parents can create a safer and more positive online environment for their children.
  • Parental controls can also facilitate important conversations between parents and children about online safety and responsible internet use.

Features of Google’s Parental Controls

  • Screen time limits: Parents can set daily limits on how much time their children can spend on their devices, and schedule device-free periods during the day.
  • Content filtering: Parents can filter content based on age, so that inappropriate content is blocked and only age-appropriate content is accessible.
  • App and website blocking: Parents can block specific apps or websites that they don’t want their children to access.
  • Activity monitoring: Parents can see how much time their children are spending on different apps and websites, and receive weekly activity reports.

Help

Instructions for enabling the feature:

  • System Setting > Device > Parental controls (under Account).
  • Install “Google Family Link” on mobile device.
  • Click “Content Restrictions” > Google Search > Account Data Settings > Disable “Also allow your child to change these settings”
  • Google Chrome > Click “Only allow approved sites”.
  • Under Manage Sites, you may add ‘approved sites’ in order to allow child to open those only.

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