Hi Todd,
We have 30 Chromebooks in the library to lend for the day. They are enough for our school of 550 students. They are barcoded and checked out like books. If not returned by the end of the day, the student's name goes on a list and we track down student and chromebook the following morning. If they forget twice, they are banned from checking one out for a month. So far it has worked well, with no more than four a day that aren't brought back. Often the student runs in with it in the morning and we don't have to track it down. We have 5 or 6 students who are banned right now, which is average. This is our second year and I think the effort is worth it. They stop forgetting so I think we are teaching them to be more responsible with technology. We also lend Chromebook chargers. My purpose is to not leave teachers hanging. If their lesson depends on each student having a computer, I don't want students sitting in class unprepared and distracting other learners. The students still have to show responsibility by solving their technology problems by themselves and returning what they borrow. I would discourage departments from keeping extra Chromebooks to lend. Teachers have enough to be responsible for, without worrying about a lost Chromebook. If you have any other questions, let me know.
Tracy Earnshaw
Coginchaug Regional High School
Durham, CT