Technology in the classroom, such as Chromebooks, can be extremely valuable in helping students learn and complete assignment. However, with more technology, we also face new problems.
If your school recently purchase Chromebooks for each classroom (or you splurged for your students), you may be facing the dilemma of how to store and charge all these new devices. Trust me, I understand your frustration; there are many challenges associated with using technology in the classroom including limited access to power and shortening battery lives.
Each Chromebook isn’t that big, but when you have a whole class set (or even partial set), finding a way to safely organize and charge the Chromebook while ensuring the students and adults in the room can quickly access them when needed is challenging.
Chromebook charging carts are expensive, but fortunately, they’re not the only option to organize and manage the Chromebooks in your classroom. Did you know that with a few materials and a little creativity you can make a DIY Chromebook charging station?
Today, we’re going to explore making a DIY Chromebook charging station for your classroom. You’ll learn:
- Why a Chromebook charging station is a necessary addition to a classroom.
- Key components that should be included in a Chromebook charging station.
- 13 DIY ideas to make your own Chromebook charging station for your classroom.
4 Reasons Why You Need a Chromebook Charging Station in Your Classroom
Just as tablet and cell phone charging stations make it possible to keep tablets and phones charged, organized and ready for use, Chromebooks charging stations offer the same benefits for Chromebooks in a classroom (read more about tablet charging stations here and cell phone charging stations here.
A Chromebook cart is a necessary addition to any classroom for a few different reasons. Some of these key reasons include:
1. Protection of Expensive Technology
Investing in technology is not cheap. Whether you purchased your own Chromebooks or they were purchased by your school, you want to do everything you can to protect them from damage. A secure charging station will keep Chromebooks off of tables or counters where they could accidentally fall or be pushed to the ground.
2. Ease of Access
With a DIY Chromebook charging station, you, your students, and other adults in the room will be able to easily grab a Chromebook when one is needed. The Chromebooks can all be stored in the same central location, which may not be possible without a charging station.
3. Management of Cords
Managing 20 or 30 charging cables without a charging station sounds like a nightmare. The cords will become tangled, could pose a tripping hazard, and, if pulled, could result in a Chromebook falling on the floor. With a charging station, the power cord for each Chromebook will be tucked away to prevent these hazards, while still allowing you easy access when it is time to plug in the device.
4. Mobility
If you need to be able to take your Chromebooks from one classroom to another, you can add wheels to your charging station. Wheeling a cart can be much easier than trying to carry all the Chromebooks in a stack, and much safer than trusting kids to carry an expensive piece of technology in the halls.
Stacking more than 7 Chromebooks together may result in damage (plus, the stack may become unstable and more likely to fall over).
What a Great DIY Chromebook Charging Station Should Include
As you’re preparing to make your own Chromebook charging station, there are a few essentials you should incorporate into the design. These include:
- A cord management system.
- A power strip for charging the Chromebooks.
- Labels for the cords and each slot (if your Chromebooks are numbered).
- A cover to keep the Chromebooks from getting dust (optional).
- Wheels if mobility is desired.
13 Ideas for DIY Chromebook Charging Stations for Your Classroom
I have found some unusual and interesting ideas that you will definitely like.
1. Using a Document Tray
Time Needed: 10 to 15 minutes
How to Make it:
To make this charging station, you’ll need document trays, the Chromebook charging cables, and zip ties. Weave the power cable for one Chromebook through each document tray and use a zip tie to secure it to the end of the tray so it can easily be connected to a Chromebook.
Leave the plug end of the cord coming out of the back of the tray. Stack up to three or four document trays with woven power cords together and secure them with zip ties. Attach the cords to a power strip, and you’re all done.
Watch the video to find a step-by-step guide.
2. Using an IKEA PS Cabinet
Time Needed: 2 hours
How to Make it:
Use the IKEA PS cabinet, and connect three power strips to the back of the cabinet using a drill and zip ties. Feed the charging cord for each Chromebook through the holes that are already in the back of the cabinet, and connect the end to the power strip.
Then, place three 8-slot vertical desk organizers in the cabinet and secure them to the base. Install cord clips for the power cords and zip tie the cords to the top shelf so the end is hanging over the desk organizer. You can also label the slots on the organizer and on the power strip so you can tell which Chromebook goes where and unplug only the one that is necessary.
3. Using a Bookcase
Time Needed: 1 hour
How to Make it:
To make this 8-bay Chromebook charging station, you’ll need a two-shelf bookcase, a power strip, smooth enameled bookends, wire clips, a non-slip mat, screws, and tape.
Saw away the flat flap of each bookend, and drill holes to secure the wider edge to the book case. Space out the bookends to leave sufficient space for each Chromebook, and screw them onto the shelf.
Use wire clips to attach the ends of the power cords to the bookends, and route the other ends of the power cords down to the lower shelf. Place a power strip on the lower shelf and plug in the Chromebooks.
4. Using a Closet Organizer
Time Needed: 15 to 20 minutes
How to Make it:
Use two 2-shelf closet organizers (about 24 inches wide). Each shelf should hold two Chromebooks, so with two 2-shelf organizes, you can store eight Chromebooks.
Tape the cords for each Chromebook in the space where it will sit to charge and plug the ends into a power strip. You can also use cord clips instead of the tape, if you’d prefer.
5. Using a Rolling Table
Time Needed: 1 hour
How to Make it:
This Chromebook storage cart is easy to make and even has wheels for easy mobility. You’ll need a small rolling table or desk, simple metal dish racks, and power strips.
Secure the dish racks to the cart and use zip ties to connect the power strips to the legs or sides of the table. Use cord clips to connect the end of each power cord to the dish rack, lay the Chromebooks between the slots on the racks, and connect the power cords.
6. Using Wood Boards
Time Needed: 2 hours
How to Make it:
You can make your own wall-mounted charging shelfs for the Chromebooks in your classroom. This idea would be best for classrooms with a more limited number of devices to store and those where you’re allowed to mount things to the walls.
To make the charging shelf, you need to cut wood to the right size to hold a chromebook, drill holes to run wires, and drill ventilation holes to keep things from overheating. Then, use brackets to put the shelf together, mount it to the wall, and add a door to keep the cables out of sight.
7. Using a Wooden Literature Sorter
Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours
How to Make it:
This DIY storage shelf is made from a wooden literature sorter, but you could also modify a small bookshelf. You’ll need to drill holes in the back of the organizer for each Chromebook plug and attach hooks or wire clips at the front of each shelf.
Then attach power strips to the back of the shelf using Velcro or Command strips and hook up the cords. You can number each slot for easier use and to make sure your Chromebooks stay organized.
8. Using a Letter Tray
Time Needed: 15 to 30 minutes
How to Make it:
Using a letter tray is an easy and inexpensive way to make your own Chromebook storage station. Run the power cords through the back of the letter tray and use cord clips to secure the cables at the front of the tray to keep them easy to access.
9. Using a Pallet
Time Needed: 1 hour
How to Make it:
You can make this storage station using scrap wood from a pallet. Depending on how large you make it, it could probably hold between one and four Chromebooks.
Use a circular saw or jigsaw to cut off the end section of the pallet. Then, use a pry bar to remove an extra board from another section of the pallet and use it to create a bottom and make the back more secure (the finished product should look like a small enclosed shelf).
You can drill holes in the bottom to run the charging cords into the pallet and can even add a decorative picture or design to the front for added character. Either mount the charging station to the wall or leave it on a desk or table.
10. Using a Cardboard Desk Organizer
Time Needed: 20 to 30 minutes
How to Make it:
To make this desk organizer charging station, you’ll need a cardboard desk organizer, a small power strip, an X-Acto knife, scissors, and tape. Create a flap in the back of the organizer to fit the cord for the power strip and cut a flap through the divider in the organizer.
Slide the power strip into the bottom of the organizer through the flap you created and thread the cord through the back flap. Plug in the power strip to the wall, and plug the Chromebook cables into the power strip.
You could also use this organizer to charge other small devices, such as phones or tablets.
11. Using Decoupage Effect
Time Needed: 1 hour
How to Make it:
If you like decoupage, you’ll love this DIY charging station storage box.
You’ll need to use fabric spray paint and spray it over newspaper to give it a vintage effect. Then let it dry, or use a hair dryer to speed up the process.
Use mod podge to cover the box and the lid using the newspaper and apply a sealer coat. Finally, attach four washers to one side of the box and drill/cut holes in the center of each washer to feed the charging cables through.
Watch the video to find a step-by-step guide.
12. Using a Woven Basket
Time Needed: 10 to 15 minutes
How to Make it:
This DIY charging basket is simple to make. You just need a woven basket that is large enough to hold a few Chromebooks, a power strip, and some zip ties.
Feed the cord for the power strip through the basket, then use zip ties to secure the cord to keep it in place. Put your Chromebooks in the basket and plug them into the power strip.
Watch the video to find a step-by-step guide.
13. Using Book Bins and a Shoebox
Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours
How to Make it:
To make this charging station, you’ll need three book bins and a plastic shoebox storage container. Start by drilling a hole in the back of each book bin and spray painting the bins and the lid of the storage container with your desired color.
Then, trace the outline of the power strip on the side of the plastic shoebox, use an X-Acto knife to cut out the outline, and use hot glue to secure the power strip to the side of the box with the plugs on the inside.
Attach the three books bins to the lid of the storage container with them on their side (with the long side down) using hot glue and E6000.
Watch the video to find a step-by-step guide.
You can use nautical rope or other materials to wrap the plastic bin and the sides of the book bins for a more finished and cohesive look. Then thread the small ends of the Chromebook power cords through the back of the book bin and plug in the other ends of the cords to the power strip.
Useful Resources
- How to store chromebook in the classroom
- 5 reasons why chromebooks in the classroom benefits students
- Laptop vs. chromebook: how are they different
Final Thoughts
From providing students with access to a wealth of knowledge and information for research, helping students improve their technological skills and prepare for the future, engaging students in genuine learning experiences and tasks, such as digital storytelling (learn more about digital storytelling in this article and so much more, Chromebooks can be such a powerful tool in the classroom.
Using one of the DIY Chromebook charging station ideas we shared can help you accomplish all of these goals and ensure your Chromebooks are ready and waiting when you need them for instruction!
Simona Johnes is the visionary being the creation of our project. Johnes spent much of her career in the classroom working with students. And, after many years in the classroom, Johnes became a principal.
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Wow! These are some great ideas! I’ve been looking for the perfect way to manage the tangled mess of cords that always seems to take over my classroom. Some of my colleagues have wheeled carts, do you think that is really necessary?
I don’t think a wheeled cart is a necessity unless you frequently move from one classroom to another. If you pretty much remain in your classroom, placing one of these organizers in a centralized location should provide your students with easy access to their Chromebook and help you keep everything neat and organized.