Troubles with the Skyward Mobile App?

The Skyward update that was performed over spring break broke the connection with the Mobile App.

Click here for instructions on how to remove and reinstall it.

If you're having problems logging in to Google services or need technical assistance, please send an email to support@hisd.com. 

If you're an HISD staff member and need assistance or repair with any HISD technology-related resource, please visit the HISD Technology Work Order Request Form (login required) and start a work order. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

What's My HISD Google Username and Password?

The format for HISD student Google accounts is firstname.middleinitial.lastname@student.hisd.com and their passwords are their three initials plus their student ID number.  For example, a student named "Bobby The Bobcat" with a student ID of "12345" would have the username / email address "bobby.t.bobcat@student.hisd.com" and their password would be "btb12345".  If your student does not have a middle name, just use the letter "x" for the middle initial.

If you need the student password reset contact support@hisd.com. Be sure to include the student's first and last name, date of birth, campus and grade.

How Do I Find My Student ID and Google Username?

To get a student ID number, login to Skyward Family Access at https://fa.hisd.com. Once logged in, click the "Student Info" tab to the left (if you're on a mobile device, tap the blue "+" button first). The student ID will be listed as "Other ID" on the info page. The student HISD email address will be near the top. 

What's a Google Classroom Guardian?

As part of our Google Classroom integration services, we automatically send an email to parents inviting them to join the Google Classroom Guardian program. Due to privacy laws, guardians can't directly access or log into Classroom, nor can they view their student's assignments. Guardians receive weekly email summaries on their student's missing work, upcoming assignments and class activities. If you have a personal Google account you can adjust email summaries and update frequency. If you need to change or verify the email address used for your Guardian invitation, please visit the Skyward Family Access portal https://family.hisd.com and update your information. To learn more about the Google Classroom Guardian program please see Google Classroom Help for Guardians.

A Word About Using Google Classroom on Personal Devices...

If you're logging into Google Classroom on a personal device using Google's Chrome browser, you may encounter issues if there are multiple Google accounts associated with the device. If you're using a Chromebook, simply log-off of your personal Google account and log back into the Chromebook with your HISD student account. If you're using a Mac or Windows computer, try this:

• Click the three dot menu (⋮) in the upper right hand corner of the Chrome window

• Select the "New incognito window" option

• Go to https://classroom.google.com/?emr=0

• Login using your HISD student email and password

BTW, If you're not seeing one or more your classes, you may need to enter a class code -- ask your teacher if you don't know the code.

• After logging in, click the "+" icon in the upper right corner

• Enter your class code and click "Join"

Can I Use My Phone with Google Classroom?

The Google Classroom App can be installed on most phones and tablets. Click here for the app on the App Store (Apple/iOS devices) and here for Google Play (Android Devices).  Once the app has been downloaded to a phone or tablet, students login with their HISD Google email and password. If you're getting errors while trying to login to Google Classroom, your device may also require you to install the Google Device Policy app. Phones with smaller screens may have problems with some assignments. We highly recommend using a desktop or laptop if available.

Google Classroom can also be opened on Xbox and Playstation. There isn’t an app that the students can add to their consoles, instead, they are going to have to use the built-in browsers that come on the two devices. On Xbox, it is Microsoft Edge. On Playstation, it is the “www” browser. Your students will probably know how to find the browsers on their consoles, but if not, each one has a search function they can access on the home screen.

Once the browser has been opened:

• Type in classroom.google.com in the URL bar.

• A prompt for a Google account will appear.

• Type in your HISD Google email and password

• The Classroom home screen will open up.

If you have a keyboard they can plug in, they will have a much easier time of navigation. Otherwise, they will have to use their controllers to click on the classroom tiles, open up assignments and type. It's not an optimal solution but it works.

Looking for more info on using personal devices in the classroom and at home? Check out our Bring You Own Device (BYOD) guide for suggestions.

Make Sure Your Chromebook is Up-To-Date

Your Chromebook needs to be updated periodically for software and security fixes, as well as operating system enhancements. This process usually takes care of itself in the background, but occasionally it may need a little help, especially if the Chromebook sits unused for extended periods of time. Fortunately, this is a painless process that only takes a few minutes to complete.

• Connect your Chrome OS device to the internet over Wi-Fi or ethernet.

• Click on the settings tray in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

• Enter the settings using the gear icon.

• Click on About Chrome OS at the bottom of the left column.

• Select the Check for updates option.

• If there is an update available, your Chromebook will begin downloading and installing it.

• Once the update finishes, click Restart.

Why is My Chromebook Typing Weird Characters?

Chromebooks support hundreds of different languages, and occasionally an errant keyboard press (or two) can reset your default keyboard language. No worries, there's a super easy to fix you can do before even logging on to the device.

• At the Chromebook log-on screen, hold down the CTRL and SHIFT keys.

• While still holding down the CTRL and SHIFT keys, tap the SPACE bar until the letters "US" show in the lower left corner of the screen, next to the Wi-Fi icon,

• If by chance you're wanting to use an International keyboard (special characters) select "INTL" rather than "US".

• If by chance you're wanting to use a Dvorak keyboard (not likely) select "DV" rather than "US".

How do I Remove an HISD Profile from an Android Phone or Tablet?

When you remove a work account or profile from your device, everything associated with the account is removed from the device, including email, contacts, and settings. If your device has a work profile, then work-managed apps are removed from the device, too. Your Google Workspace data is still available when you sign in with your computer, a web browser, or another authorized mobile device.

Remove a work account or profile

1. On the device, tap Settings and then Accounts.  If you don't see Accounts, tap Users & accounts.

2. At the top, tap Remove work profile and then Delete. If you don't see Remove work profile, tap the account that you want to remove and then Remove account and then Remove account and then OK.

3.  If needed, enter your phone's pattern, PIN, or password.

Note: If you see an error message, or you're unable to remove the profile, it's possible the device was initially logged into Google Services using an HISD account as the primary user.  If so, this will require a wipe and removal by HISD Technology staff. Give us a shout at support@hisd.com. Be sure to include the HISD staff or student email account and an approximate time and date the device was last used.

How to Turn Your Phone into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

Many cellular service providers are offering free or reduced pricing for mobile hotspot capabilities. To configure your current phone of mobile device for internet connection sharing (mobile hotspot), refer to the following guides:

• Apple: Settings > Personal Hotspot

• Samsung: Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot

• LG: Settings > Network & internet > Tethering > Wi-Fi Hotspot

• Google: Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & Tethering > Wi-Fi Hotspot

• HTC: Settings > More > Hotspot & Tethering > Portable Wi-Fi hotspot

• One Plus: Settings > Wi-Fi and Internet > Hotspot & Tethering > Wi-Fi Hotspot

 Note: check with your cellular service provider before enabling tethering features!

Service Provider Resources

Many internet service providers in our area are offering free or reduced pricing for services and tethering, along with hardship forgiveness to locally connected and service plan customers.

• Keep Americans Connected: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges that many Americans will face in the coming months, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai recently announced the Keep Americans Connected Initiative.

• AT&T is offering two months of free service to new Access customers. $5/mo or $10/mo thereafter, depending on your speed. AT&T is also offering discounts for tethering your current phone of mobile device. See https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/tethering.html for more information.

What's Up With My Internet Connection?

If you think your internet connection is running slow and you're experiencing lag or stutter when you're logged-on to Google Classroom or in a Google Meet session, you can use the Hallsville ISD Technology HTML5 Speedtest to help troubleshoot the issue. If your download speed is less than 2 Mbps, you've got a problem. 

Here's a few tips to help speed things up a bit.

• Reset your router and DSL/cable modem. It doesn't hurt (and usually helps) if you'll periodically reboot all routers, modems and switches on your home network.

• Try to minimize the number of devices using your internet connection. Turn off any unneeded devices, especially streaming and gaming appliances.

• If you're using a mobile hotspot or tethering your phone, try moving to different location in your house, often near a window. Sometimes moving the phone or hotspot just a few feet can make a difference.

• If you have cable Internet and you have coaxial cable splitters on the line going to your cable modem, these could be degrading your signal strength. A large number of splitters or poor quality splitters can cause a problem too.

If you’ve run through all these troubleshooting steps and can’t resolve the issue, it may be your Internet service provider’s problem. There may be a problem with the line running from your house to your ISP, or with some other equipment they have. In this case, you should call your Internet service provider and report the problem.