Online School Basics

Once you have finished your onboarding with us, you will receive an email from us with your credentials and some information about some of the apps and websites that you should get logged in to before your first day. Have a look here for a bit more information about those areas and remember that you can always reach out if you need help with anything

Google Chrome

Whilst you can use any browser to access your classes with Brilliant Microschools, we recommend using Chrome for your classes. This is because some of our learning apps don't work as well with other browsers. You can get this from here if you don't have Chrome installed already.

Download & install Google Chrome

Once you have Chrome installed, there are a few browser extensions that should be added. A browser extension is a small software add-on that enhances the functionality of your web browser. These are listed below, the essential ones at minimum should be installed. We also ask that you remove all other bookmarks, other than Clever to provide a clear setup.

Essential Chrome Extensions

Clever Chrome Extension for instant login
Grammarly: Grammarly helps students improve their writing by checking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. It also offers suggestions for better word choices and sentence structure.
Read&Write: Read&Write is a powerful tool that provides reading, writing, and research support. Features include text-to-speech, word prediction, and a dictionary, among others. This extension is particularly helpful for students with learning difficulties or those who need extra support.
BlockSite: Block unecessary websites and stay focused.

Useful Chrome Extensions

Google Dictionary: This extension allows students to quickly look up the definition of words they come across while browsing the web. They can simply double-click a word, and a small pop-up will display the definition.
Google Keep: Google Keep is a note-taking app that allows students to quickly jot down ideas, create to-do lists, and set reminders. Notes can be synced across devices and shared with others.
OpenDyslexic: OpenDyslexic is a Chrome extension that changes the font on web pages to a more readable format for individuals with dyslexia. The OpenDyslexic font is designed to increase readability by adding visual weight to the bottom of letters, which can help reduce letter-swapping and confusion.
Color Enhancer: Color Enhancer is an extension that allows students with color vision deficiencies to customize the color settings on their browsers. By adjusting the color filter, students can enhance their browsing experience and make web content more accessible and easier to read.
Forest: Forest is a productivity app that encourages students to stay focused by growing virtual trees. When students want to concentrate on a task, they plant a tree, which grows as long as they stay focused and avoid browsing distracting websites.

Example login:

BMS Username: Example.Student@bms.family
BMS Password: ExampleBMS_4XauGo

Your BMS Gmail

Your BMS Gmail account is the first step to accessing all our learning apps, including Clever and Toddle.

By completing the onboarding steps (such as completing your registration form) our student will get a school Gmail with the domain @bms.family.

You'll receive the username and password in your welcome email. Please make sure your student can access their email and check it regularly, ideally before and after each class.

Logging into this email should be your first step in getting connected!

Your Clever Portal

Clever provides a secure platform for students and parents to access all their digital learning tools in one place. It simplifies logging in and keeps everything secure, ensuring a smooth online learning experience.

It is a good idea to bookmark the link to the clever portal, to make joining class in the morning as simple as possible.

You can also find the link here and in your welcome email: https://clever.com/in/brilliant-microschool

To log in to Clever, you sign in using your BMS Gmail, which can be found in your welcome email if needed. Simply click 'Login with Google' and then follow the Gmail instructions. Once you log in, this will bring you to the clever Dashboard, which is a launchpad for you to any of our learning apps.

Toddle

The next app to get logged in with is Toddle. This user-friendly platform helps parents and students stay connected and involved in the learning process. Toddle has two versions: Toddle Student, where your child can submit work and build a portfolio, and Toddle Family, where you can track grades, communicate with teachers, and view your child's assignments and projects.

For information about Toddle check this out!

Google Workspace

Whilst we do use a wide range of different learning apps, one of our core resources is Google Workspace- most often Google Slides and Docs. These tools allow our students to have the maximum communication, collaboration, and productivity. Even if their classmates are on the other side of the country they can work together just the same as if they shared a desk!

Zoom Education

Zoom Education is a tool that schools use to create virtual classrooms where teachers and students can interact live through video calls, share lessons, and use features like breakout rooms for group activities. It makes online learning engaging with tools like virtual whiteboards and polls, and teachers can record sessions for students to review later. Zoom helps students feel connected by allowing them to participate in class discussions and collaborate on projects, just like they would in a physical classroom. It's a secure and effective way for students to continue learning from home, keeping them involved and up-to-date with their lessons.

To sign in, your child can simply log into Clever with BMS Gmail as normal and click on the Zoom icon to join their classes easily.

If your child hasn't used Zoom or Google tools before, it is worth having a try of these apps before class starts. If they need help with this, we would recommend booking a student onboarding meeting, which gives them a chance to try out some of our Google Apps beforehand with help and support from Student Success.

You can also use any Gmail account to access Google Slides and Docs, meaning even before you receive your school Gmail you can try these out to help get comfortable before class.

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