On any given day, a teacher runs the gauntlet of lesson plans, student engagements, parent interactions, evolving technology and trying to find a moment of time to eat, breathe or have a quiet moment to think. Given the complexity of their jobs, teachers need technology that streamlines their workflows so they can focus on what matters: their students. According to research from McKinsey & Company, “20 to 40 percent of current teacher hours are spent on activities that could be automated using existing technology. That translates into approximately 13 hours per week that teachers could redirect toward activities that lead to higher student outcomes and higher teacher satisfaction.” This is where Lenovo and Google for Education come in — understanding that more than ever before, teachers are looking for secure, durable and easy- to-use technology that works every time, no matter the location..
As a former Director of Digital Teaching and Learning for a school district, I put thousands of Chromebooks into the hands of students. And that’s how educators typically think of ChromeOS devices – as tools for students. But have you considered the potential of a top of the line Chromebook for teachers? If I was teaching middle school English today, as I did for so many years, I think the Lenovo Flex 5i might be my daily device of choice. I know – you’re shaking your head. But let me make my case…
The latest generation of Chromebooks come equipped with features and capabilities that can really help teachers in their day-to-day. For example, the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook comes equipped with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB of memory and 512GB SSD for some serious performance. It’s also built to be convertible, so teachers can shift from traditional keyboarding mode to tablet touchscreen mode with pen support. This means easy screencasting while moving around the classroom or referencing formative assessment responses while touching base with students or small groups. And the device’s long battery life means educators don’t have to plug in during the day.
Lenovo and Google for Education recently engaged some of the top K-12 EdTech influencers to put the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook through its paces to see how it would simplify and streamline teachers’ workday.The results speak for themselves. Here’s some of what they had to say:
A Device for Creativity, Collaboration, and Assessment
“There are numerous reasons to consider Chromebooks as your device of choice this school year. For one, there is certainly power in having students and teachers in the same ecosystem. When teachers and students both use a ChromeOS there is an ease of workflow. Teachers who have experience using Chrome can support students with how to best leverage the device. The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook gives teachers a space to explore creativity and collaboration tools that they can bring back to their classroom, too…
The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook is also an excellent option for multimedia creation and consumption given the power, graphics, touch and camera capabilities. If you’ve used other Chromebooks in the past, I’m sure you’ll be impressed at the power of this device. Having access to a device like the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook is important for teachers creating learning content to share with their class, and for students displaying their learning in creative assessment scenarios.”
Lenovo Flex 5i as your primary teaching device
“In the evolving landscape of education, it’s imperative for educators to have tools that are reliable, versatile, and catered to their multifaceted teaching needs. The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook rises to the occasion as an outstanding primary device for teachers. Its blend of performance, flexibility, and user-centric features makes it more than just a tech accessory—it’s a teaching partner. Whether you’re amplifying student voices, adapting lessons in real-time, or facilitating meaningful interactions, the Flex 5i streamlines these processes with intuitive ease. For educators striving to provide the best for their students, the Flex 5i is not just a wise choice; it’s an investment in the future of effective and engaging teaching.”
The best Chromebook for teachers in the classroom
“If you have Chromebooks for your school or are using Google Classroom, this is a rock-solid recommendation for every teacher in your school. It is sturdy, reliable, and the pen makes it even better. It has everything you need to be successful but what I like best are the sturdy design, spill resistant keyboard, the super long battery life, the ability to position the computer any way I want to work and just how well it works with Google…
I highly recommend this sturdy device as a perfect fit for teacher Chromebooks. Teachers need the flexibility of annotation, the security of the additional features that protect sensitive student data, and the reliability of a long-charge device that will last the whole day and be as mobile as we are.”
This Chromebook works hard
“Modern Chromebooks charge with a USB-C. That’s the charging port that so many devices use now so I can use the charger I have with me or is already in the room. The Flexi 5i has one USB-C on the left side and one on the right side. This is brilliant because I can plug the charging cable into either side. Since I work in many different classrooms, it’s nice that I can plug it in on the side that makes the most sense…
The Photos app has basic video editing abilities, and I can use it to trim the start and end of a screen recording. If I want more advanced video editing, I would use Canva, Adobe Spark, or Capcut. The Chromebook Flex 5i can run Android apps. That opens up a lot of possibilities. But really, the Flex 5i great for using Google Workspace. The keyboard was nice to use, the trackpad was zippy, and the screen was bright, and I had plenty of battery power. There are lots more ways a Chromebook, and particularly the Lenovo Flex 5i, can be your teacher’s pet. This Chromebook works hard.”
An excellent device for all multi-tasking needs
“Overall the Lenovo Flex 5i was an excellent device that kept up with all my multi-tasking needs. I actually wrote this blog post on the device, easily jumping between my multiple accounts, editing photos, and more. So for me, yes, a Chromebook can definitely be my primary computer, and most days it actually is.
If you are wondering the same, I would encourage you to use a Chromebook for several days. However, to give it a fair test, try to use a Chromebook Plus model such as the Lenovo device that I tested out. The extra memory, powerful processor, high-resolution screen, and other upgraded features will go a long way to supporting your daily needs.”
As education technology continues to evolve, Lenovo Education can help you stay ahead of the curve with a strong ecosystem of technology solutions, rooted in seamless, easy-to-use hardware like the Chromebook Flex 5i. Lenovo continues to innovate and partner with Google for Education to bring the best devices and software together to deliver the best experience for students and educators. To learn more, visit https://techtoday.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/education/chromebooks.