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Chromebook & MOUSEPAD TIPS & Practice

CHROMEBOOK TIPS

Find Apps for Your Chromebook - Apps work like regular programs for computers, except they run in the Chrome browser. Apps are easy to add to your Chromebook, and they keep your Chromebook running fast and your files safe. Here are a few apps that you can use for common tasks.
Online Tools for Common Tasks with Chromebooks - Here are a few suggestions for web apps that you can find in the Google Chrome Web Store or that simply work directly in your browser without the need of an app. These work in the Chrome browser, on a desktop or laptop, and of course they work on Chromebooks.
Mouse Tutorial - Using a mouse can be a huge barrier to new computer users. That’s where this mouse tutorial comes in. There are no technical explanations or boring drills. Instead, learners build proficiency with the mouse by playing through a series of mini-games. Part V and Part VI are great for Drag & Drop practice!
Touchpad Shortcuts - This screenshot from Google explains how to use the touchpad, including how to right-click on objects & how to drag/drop and resize them. Take a look!

For best results, click on the bottom-left side of the mousepad!

These are pictures of a wired MOUSE and a wireless MOUSE (black & red).

The pictures of the arrow and the pointing hand are called POINTERS. These pictures ARE NOT called "the mouse" ! They are controlled by a mouse OR a mouse pad/touch pad though. That's why people get confused.

What is "2-Finger Drag and Drop" ?

When we talk about "2-finger drag & drop" in media, we're talking about using your left and right pointer fingers at the same time on the mousepad, in order to move an object that's on the screen.

The pointer finger of the hand you write with uses the touchpad to place the pointer on the object you want to move, or "drag", on the screen.
Next, the pointer finger of your other hand gently presses in the corner of the touchpad. This "grabs" the object on the screen.
Then the pointer finger on the hand you write with gently glides across the touchpad, "dragging" the object on the screen.
Lastly, when you have moved the object where you want it to be on the screen, lift up the pointer finger that was pressing in the corner of the touchpad to "drop" the object.

Watch the videos below to see a demonstration of how this is done!

Drag & Drop - view of touchpad only!

Touchpad Drag & Drop.mp4

Drag & Drop - view of touchpad & screen together!

Screen and Touchpad Drag & Drop.mp4

Touchpad PRACTICE

Getting the hang of manipulating the Chromebook's touchpad can be tricky, especially if you're dragging and dropping or resizing objects. Here are some sites that will help:

Internet for Classrooms: Mouse Skills - many fun games for young learners!
Click the Bubbles! - click on as many bubbles as you can in 60 seconds!
Owlie Boo - Really cute & easy activities for anyone just getting introduced to the computer, mouse, or touchpad! Touching keys, moving the mouse, and drag-and-drop activities! Some of my favorite for dragging & dropping are below!

Mousercise - Practice your mousing skills!
Jig Zone - use your drag & drop skills to complete online jigsaw puzzles. Change shape, size, and number of pieces to adjust difficulty!
Jigsaw Explorer - change the background & sort by end pieces to practice & drop skills
Mrs. T's Technology Emporium - Lots of fun activities to help with using a mouse or touchpad, from beginner to advanced users!
Color Sort - This color game for kindergarten helps young kids learn how to sort orange, blue, red, green and yellow objects. The game has audio instructions and fun animations and sound to keep learning fun.
Minimouse - This site has many games to practice clicking & moving objects with the mouse or mousepad. There is also an element of reasoning built into most games. Click on each individual game to see what skills are being reinforced. The one negative side are the banner ads...just ignore them and DON'T click on them!

Heli-popper - practice pointer control while helping Mr. Marble pop balloons!
Color Creature - practice "grabbing" with the mousepad by clicking on the paintbrush & colors
Peter Pickle - use the mousepad to move the pointer and pop the bubbles!
Turtle Target - use click and drag to change the height of turtle's slide so he can land on the target!
Vine Time - use click, drag, and drop skills to help the monkey collect fruit and swing safely!
Bongo & Beanie - use click, drag, and drop to send Beanie flying into the pool!

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