For Families
Tips for Managing Screen Time
When possible, have your children use technology in areas of the house that are more trafficked. It's easier for adults to check in with them and see what's going on. Bedrooms may be necessary for Zoom meetings, for everyone's sanity, but with a set of headphones, most homework probably can be done in a more open or public space.
Talk with your kids about their schoolwork and how much time it takes. Suggest taking breaks away from the computer between assignments or every 20-30 minutes rather than endlessly surfing online.
To keep students' focus on their schoolwork, have them store their cell phone in a different room while they work, to avoid being distracted.
Resources
Parents' Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls from Commonsense Media
Pediatricians on Finding a Balance from Edutopia
Frequently Asked Questions (Click the down arrow to reveal answer)
We're having trouble connecting to a Brookline learning platform: Google Classroom, Seesaw, or Canvas
Brookline tools work best with the Chrome Browser. Test your internet connection and make sure that you're able to reach other sites. Try clearing the browser cache, quitting the browser and launching again.
How can we share multiple users on one computer?
Sharing a family computer can often cause issues when submitting work from Google Drive or when working with programs like Canvas or Edpuzzle.
The Google Chrome Browser can support multiple users accounts. The secret is to use the "Sign In" feature.
This video explains how to add multiple signed in users on one Chromebook.
Are there any tools to help minimize student distractions on the Chromebook?
Families have found that the Chrome Extension: Site Blocker from E-Tech to be helpful. You can learn more on the Site Blocker Page
I'm concerned about what my child is doing on the Chromebook. How can I see where they've been?
Students cannot delete their browser history on brooklinek12.org school accounts. Google stores a history for up to 90 days.
You can easily view their history on their Chromebook, by opening Chrome and pushing the CTRL and H buttons at the same time, or clicking on the 3 stacked dots in the upper right corner of the browser and going down to History. This will open up the history page that shows where you student has visited on their Chromebook.
You can also download a student's browsing history with the Chromebook Extension: Export Chrome History from Jarett Lee. Learn more here.
What options are available for home internet service.
Internet via a home cable connection provides the most reliable and fastest connection for most families. Astound (formerly RCN )and Xfinity (formerly Comcast) both offer reliable service. Both providers offer $30 monthly discounts to households that qualify for the Federally funded Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
This document on Home Internet Options provides details.
We're having trouble connecting to a learning resource assigned or shared by a teacher (i.e.Screencastify or Scratch).
Email your teacher with a detailed description of the problem.
We're having trouble with the Chromebook on loan from Brookline Schools
Many problems can be solved by restarting the Chromebook. Hold the power button down for 10 seconds. If problems persist, please have the student inform the classroom teacher or the school Educational Technology Specialist.