Preparing for Flexible Learning

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, we are reminded that our plans must be flexible and include contingencies for changing conditions over time that maximize the safety of our community and to ensure the ongoing education of our students. As such, the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) encourages students to prepare for flexible learning due to any potential disruptions to in-person learning.  New and returning students in the 2023-2024 academic year are, therefore, advised to plan ahead to have off-campus access to a reliable internet connection, as well as a computer or tablet with a keyboard, speakers, microphone and webcam. Temple University students in the CEHD are not required to purchase/own their own computing device. 

If you intend to purchase a computer, we suggest you review the current recommendations available on the Temple University Shopper's Guide. The College of Education and Human Development does not endorse a particular brand or type of computer for our students; however, we have a few recommendations for your consideration when selecting a device. Courses in the CEHD do not, generally, require specialized software except for some statistics courses required in our graduate programs. Thus, a basic computer, laptop or tablet, including a Chromebook or tablet with iOS or Android installed, may be sufficient to complete required coursework. The college recommends that students select a device that includes a keyboard and screen size large enough to read and write comfortably for an extended period. We also recommend selecting a name-brand manufacturer, such as Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo or Microsoft. These manufacturers generally use name-brand components and offer reliable customer support.

Chromebook vs Windows/Mac Laptop

Through the support of Google for Education, Chromebooks have become very popular for use by students in grades K-12.  Temple students enrolled in a Teacher Preparation program in the College of Education and Human Development or planning a career in public education or a related field may find that experience with using a Chromebook, instead of a traditional Windows or Mac laptop, may offer valuable professional preparation.  Google for Education provides an updated list of recommended Chromebooks for Education.

Chromebooks offer web-based access to many common tools used in coursework like Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and GSuite (Docs, Sheets, and Slides), as well as access to online storage via OneDrive and GoogleDrive.   However, not all features may be available and not all software and file types are supported on Chromebooks.  Students are advised that courses outside those offered as part of a Teacher Preparation program in the College of Education and Human Development, including general education courses, may require software not supported by a Chromebook (for example Adobe Creative Cloud).  In these cases, a student who chooses a Chromebook as his/her/their primary computing device may find it necessary to access specialized software from a Temple computer lab or the TECH Center. 

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