On another note, I have always struggled in displaying my MacBook Air to my Apple TV. There is a known issue of choppy or lagging video that keeps me from being able to play videos from my Macbook Air. Now, using the Chrome browser, I can easily project the contents of my screen on the whiteboard in my room.
So how does the Chromecast compare to an Apple TV ?
Projecting Small Screens onto the Big Screen - With an Apple TV, teachers can stream your entire screen. What you see on the screen, your students see. With the Chromecast, you can only stream one Chrome tab at a time. (If you know how you can do more, please let me know). Originally, I was disappointed to be limited to one tab on a browser window. However, the more I thought about it, them more I liked it. The students don't need to see the toolbar, my occasional calendar notifications, or whatever document I have open on the desktop. Casting only one tab at a time frees the screen of a lot of "computer clutter" and also allows me to play a video in one tab for the class while I pull up the next video, or check my email or prep for the next subject in another browser tab. What I originally saw as a limitation, I now recognize this as the Chromecast's greatest features.
Remote Control? - Currently, unlike the Apple TV , the Chromecast does not come with a remote. As a result, the Chromecast requires that you download the Chromecast App on your phone, tablet or computer and use your device as the remote. The downside is having to pull out my phone occasionally. The upside is that I never lose my phone, but regularly lose my AppleTV remote. Now, if I have my device, I have the remote.
For scads more information about the pros and cons for all of the streaming devices currently available, check out CNET's reviews here. CNET is my favorite place to stop for the best in tech reviews. You can also keep up to date on the Google for Education Blog.
3 Comments
Arlene
7/8/2016 06:26:07 am
I'd love to be in your classroom when you use all this fun stuff......have a good tech year.
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Thrifty Tech Teacher
7/8/2016 06:41:51 am
Aww shucks, Mom...you're the best.
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Spotts
7/8/2016 07:30:16 am
This was super helpful! Thanks for sharing your research.
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