Has anyone wiped a Chromebook and installed Linux?
Why I'm asking:
I want students to use the Arduino IDE. Each has their own Chromebook, which means using the Arduino Web-Based IDE, since I don't want to complicate things with a Linux install on the Chromebook. But I can't use that because like many (most?) schools, I can't agree to the "consent to the processing of personal data for marketing purposes" checkbox that would be needed to create student accounts. So that means I need to have a real laptop. We have some leftover Chromebooks that are a few years old. Maybe I can wipe them and install full Linux? I could then install the Linux flavor of the IDE.
Thoughts welcome. My first choice would be the Arduino Web-based IDE. But making student data available for commercial purposes is a total no-no. (We can't even put up commercial advertisements in school or on school materials.)
As mentioned in the other thread you would be opening a can of worms…
Before switching to straight Linux on Chromebooks for school use, you will need to ensure compliance with child privacy laws such as COPPA, FERPA, or GDPR (if applicable), which regulate the collection and handling of student data.
Schools must also meet CIPA requirements for internet content filtering, ADA standards for accessibility, and any local regulations mandating secure device management and student monitoring.
Additionally, data retention policies, audit requirements, and parental consent obligations need to be carefully addressed to avoid legal vulnerabilities.
Can they bring the Chromebooks home?
That’s a heavy ask to your IT dept and legal team. (Developer Mode and custom firmware disable key security features like Verified Boot, Replacing ChromeOS removes built-in device management features (e.g., Google Workspace for Education), Custom setups might not meet privacy and monitoring requirements for educational use, that’s on you to meet those)
I have the answer to some of this. The Linux-on-Chromebook devices would only be used for Arduino IDE stuff, not their regular work. (Hence using the holder Chromebooks which are currently sitting on a shelf.) The CIPA requirements are handled through our network Internet filtering, which is the same regardless of device, so that's not an issue. These Linux-on-Chromebook devices would not be going home - they would only be used in the classroom for assignments using the IDE. I am our IT department, so that's part of why I'm being quite careful with all this. Legal issues are also on my mind - which is why we won't be using the Arduino Web-based IDE. And all your thoughts and concerns do hold water - part of why I'm not keen to just turn on the Linux stuff on their regular Chromebook and turn them loose with it.
To be clear, you can do zero, one, or both of the following on a given Chromebook model; depending on what is available and what is allowed by the administrator
"wipe" it by installing new firmware and turning it into a Linux laptop. This is not officially supported; just bits that some folks on the internet have put together.
enable the built-in Linux, which gives access to a Terminal, through which you can install software like Arduino IDE. It's still a Chromebook, with all the existing stuff. This is an actual feature.
The former is slightly more likely to support the IDE and arbitrary devices, but the latter is less complicated.
I posted the starter link for the latter in the other thread. Here is a link for the former: Getting Started | MrChromebox.tech with plenty of warnings. Note one of the prerequisites
Why? If the chromebooks are running linux, the Arduino IDE can be installed locally and the students can use a fully anonymous account. Potentially without any internet access at all (although that would put the burden of downloading libraries onto the teacher...)
It seems a shame that the rules regarding student privacy seem to be so at odds with ... actually getting an education. It teaches kid to lie early: "you have to be 14 for this, so lie about your birthday", "This service here will create a made-up email address."
Just so we're all on the same page here, your problems could be addressed by a "mere" policy change on the Arduino Web IDE, right?
Do you (or @ptillisch ?) think that that's possible? What about some sort of compromise solution where the objectionable data is all merged into a single "mySchool" account, sort of the way you can tack suffixes onto gmail addresses. "Myschool+random#" lets the student assigned random# have their own files/etc, but any data collected just refers to the "Myschool" account.
It’s not Arduino specifically. Those are general rules. If you hand over a machines in a school those rules apply.
Raw Linux environments might bypass school management policies for monitoring and filtering or Open-source applications installed in Linux may lack data protection policies compliant with COPPA or FERPA..
Care must be taken that students can’t do stuff that would put the school in infringement. So someone has to sign off on this and put his job and school’s liability on the line.