Technology Help

STUDENT GUIDE TO TECHNOLOGY

2024-2025

TIP #1 - If you ever don’t know how to do something, Google it or look it up on YouTube before asking for help.  Usually you can find the answer to your question very quickly.

CHROMEBOOKS:

• These should be charged every day when you come to school!

• Chromebooks should be shut down at the end of each day to allow updates to download the next time they are turned on.

• Ensure that your Chromebook charges when you plug in your charger.  You should see a red, orange, or green light next to the charger outlet.

• Screenshots

  • To screenshot your entire screen, use the Ctrl + Show windows key combination.

• To take a screenshot of a portion of the screen, press the Shift + Ctrl + Show windows keys. You’ll see a crosshair icon; click and drag it until the part of the screen you want to copy is highlighted, and then let go.

• Camera & Audio

  • You can make sure both of these are working by clicking on the “Launch” button in the bottom left corner of your home screen.  Search for “Camera” and record a brief video.  Play it back.  If you cannot see your picture or hear your voice, you may need to turn up your volume or visit the tech department with questions.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM:

• It is a good idea to know how to get to your teachers’ class website as well as Google Classroom.  Most teachers update both of them on a regular basis.

• Before visiting Google Classroom, make sure you are signed in to YOUR Google account.

• You can archive old classes by clicking on the three dots in the top right corner of a class and clicking “Archive.”

• To join a new class, click on the plus sign in the top right corner of your main screen and choose “Join Class.”  Your teacher will give you the code to join.

• You can reorder your classes by clicking and dragging a specific class where you want it to be on your main screen.

• The stream is where most things will appear when they are posted.  However, it is important that you check the “Classwork” tab at the topic of the screen for more clear instructions and any attachments the instructor may have included with the assignment.  Do not rely solely on the stream for important information!

• When completing an assignment and turning it in on Google Classroom, make sure you click the “Turn In” button when you are finished so your teacher knows you are done.

• When assigned something on Google Classroom, if you are unable to edit the document initially, you may have to click on “File” then “Make a Copy”.

• You can alter your notification settings in Google Classroom by clicking on the three horizontal bars in the top left-hand corner of a class page, and then scrolling down and clicking on the “Settings” button.  From there, you will be able to toggle which notifications you want and don’t want.  Be wise with this!

TIP #2 - Zoom and email etiquette exists.  There are do’s and don’ts when it comes to participating in Zoom meetings and emailing in a professional manner.  Take time to familiarize yourself with them.

ZOOM:

• Before joining a Zoom session, make sure you test both your video and audio to make sure they are working properly.

• Participate via video, as seeing each other is more important than ever.

EMAIL:

• When emailing a teacher, or anybody else, for that matter, do not type the message in the subject line.  This is for the subject of the email.

• Emails do not need to be lengthy, but they should be in complete sentences when appropriate.

• Try and refrain from using text words in an email (e.g. idk, pls, or the letter “u” for the actual word “you”)

• Using “Please” and “Thank You” is ALWAYS Best Practices!