GLTS ...... Going Google

Using Chromebooks at Greater Lawrence Technical HS

What is a Chromebook? A Chromebook is a personal computer running Chrome OS as its operating system. The devices are designed to be used while connected to the Internet, though there are a variety of apps that can be run offline. All the data is stored in the "cloud" accessed by an internet connection.

In other words, a Chromebook can ONLY be used for web-based applications. Programs cannot be installed on it, like a PC.

What isn’t a Chromebook? A Chromebook is not a traditional laptop computer. They are really just internet browsers setup to utilize Google’s apps. GLTS has made a switch to Google Apps from Microsoft Office for 2 main reasons. 1. Cost effectiveness - no licensing fees 2. Cloud based - students can access their work from any internet connected machine

GLTS has a strong content filter in place to prevent students from accessing “inappropriate” websites on the computer.

Chromebook Safety Measures

All parents and students have signed an “Acceptable Use Policy” agreeing to abide by GLTS rules concerning internet usage. This can be found on the school’s website.

Google Classroom Sample Google Classroom As you can see, on the main page of the Google Classroom, students are able to see assignments in order that they are assigned, along with due dates and other important class announcements.

Benefits in using Chromebooks ●

autosave - documents, forms and presentations save automatically so that no information is lost

●

access everywhere when there is wifi, google drive can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection on any device that connects to the internet

Benefits in using Chromebooks: ● Build 21st century skills for students - career ● offline feature - google can be accessed offline in order to work on documents - when connected, changes/addition get synced to document

Benefits in using Chromebooks: ● takes barriers to learning away from students ○

typing instead of writing, spell check, Read and Write app, Speak it app, Voice note app (speech to text )

● collaboration- students can work as a group or in partners to complete work together

Challenges in using Chromebooks ● ● ● ● ●

remembering to charge device learning keyboard and shortcuts checking gmail for new information from teachers and Google Classroom on a regular basis Checking the classroom for homework Parents have ability to receive summaries from the Google Classroom

Aspen X2 - Parent Portal

ASPEN X2- Your student’s grades

Step 1 - Go to school website ~ http://www.glts.net/ Step 2 - Click on Parents

Next: Click on ‘X2 Parent Portal’

Enter your ‘ID’ and ‘Password’

How do I look at my child’s grades? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Click on the Academics top tab. A list of courses will appear. Click on one of the course numbers You will see a screen with an average summary for the class (see below) Click on the Assignments side tab to see a list of assignments, and grades for each assignment.

Como encuentro los grados de mi hijo/a? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Clic en Academico en la parte de arriba. Una lista de cursos aparecera. Clic en unos de los numeros de los cursos. Verá una pantalla con un resumen promedio para la clase (ver más abajo) Clic en las Asignaturas en el lado para ver una lista de asignaturas y grados para cada una de las asignaturas.

Attendance: How do I check my child’s absences? 1. 2.

Click on ‘My Info’ tab Click on ‘Attendance’ side tab

Asistencia: ¿Cómo puedo verificar las ausencias de mi hijo?

1. 2.

Haga clic en la pestaña "Mi información" Haga clic en la pestaña "Asistencia"

How do I change my password? Click on ‘Set Preferences’

Under ‘Security’ tab follow prompts

¿Como puedo cambiar mi contraseña? Haga clic en "Establecer preferencias"

En la pestaña 'Seguridad', siga mensajes

Summary: The Family portal is pretty straight forward. ● ● ●

Pages top tab - where they can access student's report card or progress report. Family top tab - this has all the demographic information: address, contacts, attendance, discipline, transcript, schedule, etc. Academics top tab - lists their courses and details. A parent can click on a course to access assignment information, grades, etc.