Digital Signage using a Chromebox

BCBE offers a very simple solution for creating “digital signage”.

Contact Ed Tech if you wish to use this at your school.  Just call the help desk to make the request.  Schools are responsible for purchase of TVs and Chromeboxes.  Ed Tech will advise on purchases.

Here is how it works:

• A Google Slideshow is created for the school, by Ed Tech, that trusted staff (as determined by the Principal) can edit.
• A Chromebox is connected via HDMI to a display (TV), in a space where the BCBOE-1 wifi signal (student wifi) is available.
• The Chromebox is configured to automatically display the Google Slideshow when powered on - no login required.
• The Google Slide show will launch, and automatically advance slides at a pre-determined rate - typically about every 5 seconds.  The slideshow will automatically restart after the last slide.

Things to consider:

Content in the slide show will be filtered using the same rules that apply to student Chromebooks.  If you include a web page or other content that is blocked for students, it will not display in the slide show.

Changes made to the slideshow will only display after the Chromebox has rebooted.  The Chromeboxes are scheduled to automatically reboot every morning at 6:45am. (Unfortunately we are limited to only one automatic reboot per day).  If you make changes after 6:45am, and you need them displayed today, you will need to manually reboot the Chromebox(es).

Slides will automatically advance within the slideshow, based on timing set by the district.  While most schools will want slides to automatically advance every 5 seconds, this can be modified.  All slides will advance at this same rate, even if there is content (like a video) in a slide that lasts longer than the scheduled transition time.  

*If you want your slides to transition faster, or slower, contact the ET Help Desk at 251-970-4400.

*If you have a video embedded into a slide and the video runs longer than the scheduled slide transition time, consider creating multiple videos to run consecutively and place them in order in individual slides of your show.  

From time to time an update to the Chromebox may be required.  This will require connecting a keyboard/mouse.  Consider purchasing a wireless keyboard with built-in trackpad for this, or borrowing an existing one from a teacher.  (Most teachers have these for their classroom Chromebox)