Tech Tips
3.16.14
Headphones
All year long, as we've been using iPads (2:1) in our classroom, we've used headphones with them. The headphones that were given to us a couple of years ago have long since been damaged, so the ones we have been using this year were purchased out of my own pocket, but they have been much easier to use in the classroom because the foam pads do not easily come off, as they did on the ones we were given originally.
So when we were given 1:1 chromebooks, we were initially hesitant about NOT using headphones. I had purchased my own a few at a time, and therefore could not purchase a half-class set all at once, so this was the only other option. We were also told that the students needed to learn to "tune out" background noise, and that they would be fine. I knew THEY would be fine, what I was worried about was MY sanity! However, I have taught the students to keep the volume "below half", and they are doing very well. When I do hear one computer over the rest, I just ask them to turn it down some more. Occasionally I go around the class doing my own "volume check", reminding them if necessary where "half" is on the volume level.
Now that I have several pairs of unused headphones, I have them available to students who need to use them to tune out other distractions. :-)
So when we were given 1:1 chromebooks, we were initially hesitant about NOT using headphones. I had purchased my own a few at a time, and therefore could not purchase a half-class set all at once, so this was the only other option. We were also told that the students needed to learn to "tune out" background noise, and that they would be fine. I knew THEY would be fine, what I was worried about was MY sanity! However, I have taught the students to keep the volume "below half", and they are doing very well. When I do hear one computer over the rest, I just ask them to turn it down some more. Occasionally I go around the class doing my own "volume check", reminding them if necessary where "half" is on the volume level.
Now that I have several pairs of unused headphones, I have them available to students who need to use them to tune out other distractions. :-)
3.13.15
Rotating the Screen
Today a student managed to rotate the screen 90 degrees, similar to the picture at left. I had absolutely no idea how he did this - I never even knew the screen could be rotated! So I was forced to google how to put it back to normal:
Press and hold CTRL and SHIFT while you press the "rotate" button (it is a clockwise circle arrow, located on the top row of the keyboard). Continue to press this key combination until your screen returns to 0 degrees rotation.
Press and hold CTRL and SHIFT while you press the "rotate" button (it is a clockwise circle arrow, located on the top row of the keyboard). Continue to press this key combination until your screen returns to 0 degrees rotation.
Creating a Google Group
I highly suggest creating a Google Group for your class so you can avoid the necessity of typing out every student's email address every time you want to send or share something to their chromebook. Go to Google Groups and click the "My Groups" button:
Click the red "Create Group" button:
Give your group a name and description (optional). (For example, I named my group "KKA-2014-15".) The Group email address will auto-populate. Make sure the Group Type is set to "Email List". The rest of the options can be left at their defaults. Then click the red "Create" button at the top.
Now, when you want to send something to everyone (this includes sharing files and apps), use the email address {groupname}@piqua.k12.oh.us. You will only have to type in this one email address, but it will go out to everyone in the class.