Google Cast for Education Help
Google Cast for Education
  1. What is Google Cast for Education?
  2. Join the Google Cast for Education beta
  3. Get Started with Google Cast for Education
  4. Troubleshooting / FAQ

  1. What is Google Cast for Education?

    Google Cast for Education is a free Chrome app that allows students and teachers to share their screens wirelessly from anywhere in the classroom. Cast for Education carries video and audio across complex school networks, has built-in controls for teachers, and works seamlessly with Google Classroom.

    The Cast for Education app runs on the teacher’s computer that’s connected to the classroom projector, and it does not require new hardware. Teachers receive casts through the Cast for Education app, and students share their screens using the upcoming version of the Cast feature in Chrome.

    Cast for Education: Teach & learn from everywhere in the classroom

    Note: Google Cast for Education is designed for Google Apps for Education users.

  2. Join the Google Cast for Education beta

    Cast for Education depends on the upcoming version of the Cast feature in Chrome. To try Cast for Education today, you need to enable this version on each of your students’ devices. These extra steps are only required during beta.

    Here’s an overview:

    • For beta: check that your Chrome browser is up to date and enable Media Router
    • Install the new Cast for Education app for teachers
    • Install the Cast feature in Chrome for students
    • Share feedback through the app, we’d love to hear from you
    Step 1: Check that your Chrome browser is up to date on each device

    To try the upcoming version of the Cast feature in Chrome, your browser version must start with 51 or 52. Most devices should be on version 51 already.

    To check your version, enter "chrome:chrome" in your Chrome browser URL bar. Alternatively:

    • On a Mac or PC in your Chrome browser, click Menu Menu > Help > About Google Chrome.
    • On a Chrome OS computer, click More More > Help > About Chrome OS.

    Your Version should start with 51 or 52. If not, install any updates and click Relaunch to restart your browser.

    Note:

    Step 2: Enable Media Router on each device

    To try the upcoming version of the Cast feature in Chrome, you must enable Media Router.

    1. In your Chrome browser URL bar, enter "chrome:flags/#media-router".
    2. Under Media Router, select Enabled.
    3. Click Relaunch to restart your browser.

    Media router must be enabled on each individual student and teacher device. These extra steps are only required during beta.

  3. Get Started with Google Cast for Education

    Administrators: Pre-install the Google Cast for Education app for teachers
    1. Sign in to the Google Admin console.
    2. In the dashboard, click Device management.
    3. Under Device Settings, click Chrome management.
    4. Click User settings.
    5. Select the organizational unit that will use Google Cast for Education. Tip: If you want everyone in an organizational unit to have access, select the top-level unit. Otherwise, select a department in that organizational unit.
    6. Go to Apps and Extensions > Force installed Apps and Extensions, and click Manage force-installed apps.
    7. Click Chrome Web Store and search for "Google Cast for Education" (or search for the ID:  "bnmgbcehmiinmmlmepibeeflglhbhlea").
    8. Next to the extension, click Add.
    9. Click Save.
    Administrators: Pre-install the Google Cast feature for all users
    1. Sign in to the Google Admin console.
    2. In the dashboard, click Device management.
    3. Under Device Settings, click Chrome management.
    4. Click User settings.
    5. Select the organizational unit that will use Google Cast. Tip: If you want everyone in an organizational unit to have access, select the top-level unit. Otherwise, select a department in that organizational unit.
    6. Go to Apps and Extensions > Force installed Apps and Extensions, and click Manage force-installed apps.
    7. Click Chrome Web Store and search for "Google Cast" (or search for the ID: "boadgeojelhgndaghljhdicfkmllpafd").
    8. Next to the extension, click Add.
    9. Click Save.
    Teachers: Set up your Cast for Education app

    Make sure your device is updated, and that you are signed in with your Google Apps for Education account. Once you set up your Cast for Education app, your settings will be saved on that device.

    1. Go to the Chrome Web Store.
    2. Click Add to Chrome.
    3. Click Add app.
    4. Click Google Cast for Education  to open the app.
    5. Type a name for your cast app, like "Room 301." Click Save.
    6. Click Share .
    7. Type the name of a Classroom class, or individual student email addresses, and invite your students to cast.
    8. Select a level of access for each student or class:
      • Can present: Students can cast to your screen anytime you have the app open.
      • Can request: Students can request to cast, and you will need to Approve or Deny each request.
      • Students that are not on the list will not be able to see the cast app.
    9. Click Save.

    To start accepting casts from your students, open the Cast for Education app on your computer. While the app is open, you or anyone you have shared the app with will be able to cast to it. Casts appear within your Cast for Education app on the teacher device connected to the projector. 

    Students: Cast to your teacher’s app

    Make sure your device is updated, and that you are signed in with your Google Apps for Education account.

    1. Click Cast  in your Chrome toolbar.
    2. If there is no Cast icon in your Chrome toolbar, click  and click Cast.
    3. Click the name of your teacher’s cast app, like "Room 301."
    4. To switch between casting your whole screen and your current tab, click Cast to and make a selection.
    5. Your screen will cast to the Cast for Education app on the teacher’s computer.

  4. Troubleshooting / FAQ

    How is this similar to/different from Chromecast?
    Chromecast is a consumer hardware product. Cast for Education is a Chrome app designed for Google Apps for Education users to use in the classroom, no new hardware required.
    Can I use Cast for Education without a Google Apps for Education account?

    Google Cast for Education is designed for Google Apps for Education users. Anyone can download the Cast for Education app, but you can only share the app if you have a Google Apps for Education account.

    Which devices can you cast from?

    With Cast for Education, you can cast from any computer using the Chrome browser or Chrome operating system.

    We do not support casting from Android or iOS at this time.

    Can students cast directly to the projector?

    Students cast to the projector through the Cast for Education app on the teacher’s computer. The teacher’s computer must be connected to the projector for students to cast to the big screen. Casting through the app on the teacher’s computer lets teachers review casting requests from students.

    What does "beta" mean? How can I try it while it's in beta?

    You can try Google Cast for Education today by taking a few extra steps to enable the upcoming version of the Cast feature in Chrome, which students will use to cast to the teacher’s device. By Back to School 2016, the upcoming version of the Cast feature in Chrome will be available by default to all Chrome users, and these extra steps will not be required.

    I already downloaded the Google Cast extension from the Chrome Web Store.  Can I use that to cast?

    Google Cast for Education depends on the upcoming version of the Cast feature in Chrome. To try Cast for Education today, you need to take a few extra steps to enable this new version on each of your students’ devices. By Back to School 2016, this upcoming version of the Cast feature in Chrome will be available by default to all Chrome users, and these extra steps will not be required.

    Can the administrator set up the Cast for Education beta for all teacher and student devices?

    During the beta period, each device will need to be configured one-by-one by enabling Media Router on version 51 or 52 of Chrome.  Administrators can prepare their domains for Cast for Education by ensuring that Chrome devices are configured to update regularly in the Google Admin Console.

    I’m a teacher out of school for the summer, how can I try Cast for Education?

    You can still try Cast for Education on a single device.  Follow the steps above to join the beta, and then follow both the "Teacher" instructions and "Student" instructions to cast to your own device. To cast between devices, all users must share the same Google Apps for Education domain.

    Can't access the Chrome Web Store

    If you’re unable to access the Chrome Web Store service, ask your school technology administrator to enable it. Instead of enabling the Chrome Web Store, administrators can follow the instructions above to install the extension, so that teachers and students do not need to download the extension manually.

    To enable the Chrome Web Store:

    1. Sign in to the Google Admin console.
    2. Click Apps.
    3. Click Additional Google Services.
    4. Click Chrome Web Store.
    5. Click  next to Chrome Web Store, and select On for everyone or On for some organizations.
    6. Complete the steps to turn on the Chrome Web Store for your organization.
    Does the teacher have to stay by the teacher device to accept or reject student casts?

    Teachers can select the level of access for each student or class using the Share button.

    • Can present: Students can cast to your screen anytime you have the app open.
    • Can request: Students can request to cast, but you will need to Approve or Deny each request.

    Some teachers in our pilot changed permissions to "Can present" before a class to let students present freely. They changed back to "Can request" when they wanted to review student cast requests.

    Can I give feedback on the Cast for Education beta?

    We would love to hear your feedback on the Cast for Education app. Please share feedback by clicking "Feedback" in the bottom right of the app.