Chromebooks Grades 4-12

Students in Grades 4-12 will have a Chromebook to use both in school and at home on Flexible Instruction Days. The resources below are designed to help students and families get to know the Chromebooks and their basic functions.

If your Chromebook is damaged or not working correctly while your student is learning at home, please use the contact information below to report the problem.

Elmwood Academy - 717- 791-7978

Middle School - 717-691-4560 ext. 7716

High School - Email mashtechsupport@masdstudent.org or call 717-691-4530 ext. 3045

Getting Started with Your Chromebook

Grades 4-12 Chromebook Guide.pdf

Chromebook Troubleshooting

If you're having trouble with your Chromebook, please try the following before calling for support.

Elmwood Student Chromebook Troubleshooting Guide

MMS Student Chromebook Troubleshooting Guide

MASH Student Chromebook Troubleshooting Guide

My Chromebook won’t turn on? What should I do?

When you open your Chromebook, it might take up to 15 seconds for the screen to light up. If you press the power button during this time, you can actually interrupt the start-up process. If after 15 seconds nothing happens, press and release the power button and wait another 15 seconds.

If it still doesn't turn on, be sure your Chromebook is charged. Check this by plugging it into power. If the charging light comes on, allow it to charge for 30 minutes.

If the charging light doesn’t come on, it means your Chromebook should have enough battery power. If it still isn't starting, try the following:

Hold down the power button for at least 30 seconds then release. (Yes, that's a long time. Count slowly to 30 or use a timer.)

Wait at least 10 seconds.

Press and release the power button again.

If this does not cause your Chromebook to turn on, please call the Technology Support Help Line for your school, listed at the top of this page.

Content Keeper

When you are working on your Chromebook away from school, you will see a Content Keeper window when you connect to the Internet. This short video shows how your Chromebook will connect to the Internet through Content Keeper.

Finding the Settings and Help Menu

Click on the bar at the bottom right corner (where the time is shown). This will open a menu that includes some icons at the bottom.

Click on Settings to change your background, set keyboard preferences, etc.

If you’re not sure how to do something, click the Help button and scroll through the menu or use the search bar to type in some key words about what you’re trying to find.

Getting Pop-up Notifications at the Bottom of Your Chromebook Screen?

Some students have noticed ads or notifcations popping up at the bottom of their Chrome window. Clearing your browser history usually takes care of this problem.

Go to the three-dot menu at the top right of your Chrome window and choose "More tools" then "Clear browsing data". Select "All time" in the Time Range menu. Then select only "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" and click "Clear data".

Watch this video if you need step-by-step directions.

Chromebook Tips and Tricks

Adding Bookmarks on your Chromebook.pdf

Using the Chromebook Keyboard

There are some unique keys on a Chromebook. Here’s some information about them. Click here for more information about the Chromebook keyboard.

Saving Files on a Chromebook

Your Chromebook has a limited amount of space to temporarily save downloads, screenshots, and other files, but these files will be deleted automatically when your device runs out of space. Watch this video to learn how to direct your downloads to your Google Drive so you don't lose any important files.

Click here for additional information about saving files on a Chromebook.

Chromebook Accessibility Tips

This playlist will show you how to use a variety of features on your Chromebook to enhance your learning, including magnifying the screen, using speech-to-text, and having text read aloud. There are four videos in this playlist. Click on the three horizontal lines with the arrow near the top right of the video screen to choose the video you want to watch.

Setting Up "Text-to-Speech" and "Speech-to-Text" on Your Chromebook

Chromebooks have built-in accessibility features that allow you to have any text read aloud and that turn your voice into text. This short video show you how to set up both.

Taking Care of Your Chromebook

How to Use Your Chromebook Touchpad

How to Take a Screenshot on a Chromebook

How to Right-Click on a Chromebook

5 Chrome Extensions That Make Teacher/Student Life Easier

Students have the ability to add and manage extensions on their Chromebooks. Here are some suggestions of helpful extensions you might want to consider.

Remove Extensions from Chrome

Occasionally extensions can interfere with the operation of your Chromebook. If you notice your Chromebook running slowly or if things just aren't working right, try disabling or removing some extensions and see if things improve.

Navigating Zoom on a Chromebook

Record a Screencast on a Chromebook

You can use a screencast to record your Chromebook's screen while you narrate a presentation, to explain a process, or to share your thinking about your work. Beginning with ChromeOS 89, there is a built-in screen recording tool that allows you to record your entire screen or just a portion of it without any additional apps or sites. Click here for step-by-step directions. If you prefer to use a screen recording service with more options, please click here to learn more.

Getting the Wrong Zoom Meetings?

If you click on a Zoom link and it says you're trying to join the wrong meeting, chances are you did not close the Zoom app after your last meeting. If there is a little white line under the app icon, that means it's still running. Follow the directions below to close the app, then click the link again to join your new meeting.

Using Split Screen on a Chromebook

Chromebooks have a built-in split screen feature that can be really helpful if you're on a Zoom meeting and need to see another window open at the same time. Watch this video to learn how to easily view two apps or windows at the same time.

Reduce Distractions While Working Online

Watch the videos in this playlist to learn how to use a Chrome extension called "StayFocusd" to limit the time you spend on distracting websites. Parents, for more information about managing this extension, email MASD Instructional Technology Coach, Anne Reardon, at annereardon@mbgsd.org.

Annotating a PDF with DocHub

If your teacher assigns a PDF document for you to read in Google Classroom, you can use the DocHub app on your Chromebook to open and transact with it. Watch this video to learn how.

Spell Check Not Working in Google Docs?

Recently some students have found that Google Docs is not identifying misspelled words, even if that setting is enabled. If this happens to you, watch this video to learn how to fix the problem.

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