Student Resources

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Getting started with Chromebooks

What's the difference between Chromebooks and other computers, like Windows or Mac OS?

Do Chromebooks work offline?

Yes. You can use offline-ready apps to keep using a Chromebook when it’s not connected to the Internet. Below are some examples:

Read and write emails with Offline Gmail
Write a note or make a list with Google Keep
Create and edit documents, slides, or spreadsheets with Google Drive apps (Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides)
View and RSVP to events with Google Calendar
View and edit photos saved with the built-in photo editor
Enjoy music or movies with the built-in media player

Install and organize apps and extensions

Add apps and extensions

You can add apps and extensions to give your Chromebook more features and functionality. To add an app or extension:

Open the Chrome Web Store
In the left column, click Apps or Extensions. TSC students can only install apps and extensions identified in the "TSC Recommended Apps" area
Browse or search for what you'd like to add.
When you find an app or extension you'd like to add, click Add to Chrome.
If you're adding an extension:
1. Review the types of data that the extension will be able to access
2. Click Install

You'll see your apps in your launcher, and your extensions in your browser window as buttons on the toolbar.

How apps and extensions work

Apps and extensions work like regular programs for desktop computers, but they run entirely in the Chrome browser. You don't need to install software or restart your computer.

Manage apps and extensions

Sync your apps and extensions so you'll see them anywhere you sign in to Chrome.
Pin apps to your shelf for easy access.
Manage your extensions by clicking More and going to More tools > Extensions.
Learn how to uninstall an app or extension.

Find an app you've previously installed

To search for an app on your Chromebook:

On your keyboard, press the Search key .
Type the name of the app you want. The app will show in your search results.

Open an app

Sign in to your Chromebook.
Click the Launcher .
You'll see a list of apps you've used recently. Click the app you'd like to open.
[Optional] To see all your apps, click All Apps.

Organize your apps

Put apps in folders

Put apps together in a folder: Drag an app on top of another app.
Name a folder: Click the folder.

Move apps around

Click and hold an app, then drag it.

Customize your desktop

At the bottom or side of your screen, you'll see a row of apps, called the shelf, and your account picture. You can change which apps are included and bookmark webpages.

Next to your account picture, you can see notifications, check your Chromebook’s battery life, raise or lower the volume, or change other settings.

Add, move, or remove apps

You can add an app that you use often to your desktop.

Add an app

Click the Launcher All Apps.
Find the app you want to add.
Right-click the app icon.
Click Pin to Shelf.

When you pin an app to your shelf, the app will stay there until you move or remove it.

Change the order of the apps

To change the position of an app:

Click and hold the app you want to move.
Drag it to a new position.
Release to put the app in a new spot.

Remove an app

Right-click the app you want to remove.
Click Unpin.

Pin a webpage to your desktop

If you go to the same webpage often, you might want to pin it to your desktop.

Open the webpage in Chrome.
Click More More tools.
Click Add to shelf Add.

Move or hide the row of apps

You can change the position of the row of apps, also called the shelf:

Right-click the shelf.
Point to Shelf position.
Choose where you’d like the shelf to go: on the bottom of the screen (default), or on the left or right side.

To hide the shelf and status area, right-click the shelf and select Autohide shelf. When they're hidden, move the pointer to that side of the screen to see your apps, bookmarks, and account picture.

To stop hiding the shelf, right-click the shelf and uncheck Autohide shelf.

Use your Chromebook keyboard

Your Chromebook keyboard works just like a regular keyboard, with a few differences.

Unique keys on your Chromebook keyboard

	Search your apps and the web To turn Caps Lock on or off, press Alt + Search.
	Go to the previous page in your browser history (F1)
	Go to the next page in your browser history (F2)
	Reload your current page (F3)
	Hide the tabs and launcher in full-screen Immersive mode (F4)
	Show all windows in Overview mode (F5)
	Dim the screen (F6)
	Make the screen brighter (F7)
	Mute (F8)
	Lower the volume (F9)
	Raise the volume (F10)

Note: If you're using a Windows keyboard with your Chromebook:

The F keys work like the keys above, sometimes with a few differences
The Windows key between Ctrl and Alt works as the Search key

Chromebook keyboard shortcuts

You can use keyboard shortcuts to complete some tasks more quickly.

Tip: To find shortcuts on this page, press Ctrl + f and enter what you're looking for.

Popular shortcuts

Take a screenshot: Press Ctrl + (or Ctrl + F5)
Take a partial screenshot: Press Ctrl + Shift + (or Ctrl + Shift + F5), then click and drag
Turn Caps Lock on or off: Press Alt + Search
Lock your screen: Press Search + L
Sign out of your Google Account: Press Ctrl + Shift + q (twice)
See all keyboard shortcuts: Press Ctrl + Alt + ?

All other shortcuts

Note: If you’re using a Windows or Mac keyboard, use the Windows key or Command key in place of the Search key.

Tabs and windows

Open a new window	Ctrl + n
Open a new window in incognito mode	Ctrl + Shift + n
Open a new tab	Ctrl + t
Open a file in the browser	Ctrl + o
Close the current tab	Ctrl + w
Close the current window	Ctrl + Shift + w
Reopen the last tab or window you closed	Ctrl + Shift + t
Go to tabs 1-8 in the window	Ctrl + 1 through Ctrl + 8
Go to the last tab in the window	Ctrl + 9
Go to the next tab in the window	Ctrl + Tab
Go to the previous tab in the window	Ctrl + Shift + Tab
Switch quickly between windows	Press & hold Alt, tap Tab until you get to the window you want to open, then release.
Open the window you used least recently	Press & hold Alt + Shift, tap Tab until you get to the window you want to open, then release.
Go to previous page in your browsing history	Alt + left arrow
Go to the next page in your browsing history	Alt + right arrow
Open the link in a new tab in the background	Press Ctrl and click a link
Open the link in a new tab and switch to the new tab	Press Ctrl + Shift and click a link
Open the link in a new window	Press Shift and click a link
Open the link in the tab	Drag the link to the tab's address bar
Open the link in a new tab	Drag the link to a blank area on the tab strip
Open the webpage in a new tab	Type a web address (URL) in the address bar, then press Alt + Enter
Return the tab to its original position	While dragging the tab, press Esc
Dock a window on the left	Alt + [
Dock a window on the right	Alt + ]

Page & web browser

Page up	Alt or Search and up arrow
Page down	Alt or Search and down arrow
Scroll down the web page	Space bar
Go to top of page	Ctrl + Alt and up arrow
Go to bottom of page	Ctrl + Alt and down arrow
Print your current page	Ctrl + p
Save your current page	Ctrl + s
Reload your current page	Ctrl + r
Reload your current page without using cached content	Ctrl + Shift + r
Zoom in on the page	Ctrl and +
Zoom out on the page	Ctrl and -
Reset zoom level	Ctrl + 0
Stop the loading of your current page	Esc
Right-click a link	Press Alt and click a link
Open the link in a new tab in the background	Press Ctrl and click a link
Save the link as a bookmark	Drag link to bookmarks bar
Save your current webpage as a bookmark	Ctrl + d
Save all open pages in your current window as bookmarks in a new folder	Ctrl + Shift + d
Search the current page	Ctrl + f
Go to the next match for your search	Ctrl + g or Enter
Go to the previous match for your search	Ctrl + Shift + g or Shift + Enter
Perform a Google search	Ctrl + k or Ctrl + e
Add www. and .com to your input in the address bar, then open the page	Ctrl + Enter
View page source	Ctrl + u
Show or hide the Developer Tools panel	Ctrl + Shift + i
Show or hide the DOM Inspector	Ctrl + Shift + j
Show or hide the bookmarks bar	Ctrl + Shift + b
Open the History page	Ctrl + h
Open the Downloads page	Ctrl + j

System & display settings

Open the Files app	Alt + Shift + m
Preview a file in the Files app	Select the file, then press Space
Display hidden files in the Files app	Ctrl + .
Open the status area (where your account picture appears)	Shift + Alt + s
Click icons 1-8 on your shelf	Alt + 1 through Alt + 8
Click the last icon on your shelf	Alt + 9
Use F keys (F1 to F12)	Search + 1 through Search + =
See your notifications	Alt + Shift + n
Change screen resolution	Ctrl + Shift and + or -
Reset screen resolution to default	Ctrl + Shift + 0
Rotate screen 90 degrees	Ctrl + Shift +
Switch to the next user	Ctrl + Alt + .
Switch to the previous user	Ctrl + Alt + ,

Text editing

Turn Caps Lock on or off	Alt + Search
Select everything on the page	Ctrl + a
Select the content in the address bar	Ctrl + L or Alt + d
Select the next word or letter	Ctrl + Shift and right arrow
Select text to the end of the line	Shift + Search and right arrow
Select text to the beginning of the line	Shift + Search and left arrow
Select previous word or letter	Ctrl + Shift and left arrow
Move to the end of the next word	Ctrl and right arrow
Move to the start of the previous word	Ctrl and left arrow
Go to end of document	Ctrl + Search and right arrow
Go to beginning of document	Ctrl + Search and left arrow
Copy selected content to the clipboard	Ctrl + c
Paste content from the clipboard	Ctrl + v
Paste content from the clipboard as plain text	Ctrl + Shift + v
Cut	Ctrl + x
Delete the previous word	Ctrl + Backspace
Delete the next letter (forward delete)	Alt + Backspace
Undo your last action	Ctrl + z
Redo your last action	Ctrl + Shift + z
Switch between the keyboard languages you've set. Learn how to choose your keyboard language.	Ctrl + Shift + Space
Switch to the previous keyboard language you were using. Learn how to choose your keyboard language.	Ctrl + Space
Dim keyboard (for backlit keyboards only)	Alt +
Make keyboard brighter (for backlit keyboards only)	Alt +

Accessibility

Learn how to make your Chromebook accessible.

Turn ChromeVox (spoken feedback) on or off	Ctrl + Alt + z
Turn on high contrast mode	Shift + Search + h
Highlight the launcher button on your shelf	Shift + Alt + L
Highlight the next item on your shelf	Shift + Alt + L, then Tab or right arrow
Highlight the previous item on your shelf	Shift + Alt + L, then Shift + Tab or left arrow
Open the highlighted button on your shelf	Shift + Alt + L, then Space or Enter
Remove the highlight from a button on your shelf	Shift + Alt + L, then Esc
Switch focus between: Status area (where your account picture appears) Launcher Address bar Bookmarks bar (if visible) The webpage that's open Downloads bar (if visible)	Ctrl + or Ctrl +
Highlight the bookmarks bar (if shown)	Alt + Shift + b
Highlight the row with the address bar	Shift + Alt + t
Open right-click menu for highlighted item	Shift + Search +
Use shortcuts on a braille keyboard	See braille keyboard shortcuts

Use your Chromebook touchpad

You can use your Chromebook's touchpad to right-click, switch between tabs, and more. Here's how it works:

Move the pointer	Move your finger across the touchpad.
Click	Press or tap the lower half of the touchpad.
Right-click	Press or tap the touchpad with two fingers. You can also press Alt, then click with one finger.
Scroll	Place two fingers on the touchpad and move them up and down to scroll vertically, or left and right to scroll horizontally.
Move between pages	To go back to a page you were just on, swipe left with two fingers. To go forward to a page you were just on, swipe right with two fingers.
See all open windows	Swipe up or down with three fingers. If you have Australian scrolling turned on, swipe up. If you have traditional scrolling turned on, swipe down.
Close a tab	Point to the tab, then tap or click the touchpad with three fingers.
Open a link in a new tab	Point to the link, then tap or click the touchpad with three fingers.
Switch between tabs	If you have multiple browser tabs open, swipe left and right with three fingers.
Drag and drop	Using one finger, click and hold the item you want to move. Drag the item to its new spot, then release your finger.

Change background and wallpaper

Choose background wallpaper

You can personalize your Chromebook with a custom wallpaper for your desktop.

Use wallpaper from Chromebook

Right-click your desktop and select Set wallpaper.
Click one of the images to set your wallpaper. You can also get a randomly selected image by checking the box next to Surprise me.

Use a custom wallpaper

If you haven't yet, download an image (.png or .jpg) from the web that you’d like as your wallpaper.
Click the Launcher All Apps.
Select Files .
In the left column, click Downloads.
Right-click the image you want as your wallpaper, then click Set wallpaper.

Use the same wallpaper across multiple Chromebooks

Click your account photo.
Click Settings .
In the "People" section, click Sync.
Choose what you'd like to sync. To use all the same settings (including wallpaper) on every Chromebook you sign in to, turn on Sync everything.

Updating your Chromebook

Your Chromebook automatically checks for and downloads software updates by itself. This happens when your Chromebook is:

Turned on
Connected to Wi-Fi
Not connected to a mobile hotspot or mobile data

Finish an update

When your Chromebook downloads a software update, you’ll see an arrow near your account photo:

To finish the update, click Update Restart to Update. Your Chromebook will restart.

Check for updates yourself

Click your account photo.
Click Settings .
Click Menu About Chrome OS.
Under "Google Chrome OS," click Check for Updates.
If your Chromebook finds a software update, it will start to download automatically.

Tip: To see which version of the Chrome operating system your Chromebook is using, look under "Google Chrome OS."

Chrome Apps and Extensions

TSC students using the Google Chrome web browser, whether on a Windows laptop or a Google Chromebook, have access to a variety of web-based applications and extensions. Applications and extensions can be found in the Chrome Web Store. Using their TSC device, students will only have access to applications and extensions that have been reviewed and made available by TSC, which are listed in the "TSC Recommended Apps" section of the Chrome Web Store. In other words, students cannot install any application or extension they want, as not all applications and extensions are related to education or are secure to run on the TSC network. Below are short videos explaining both web applications and extensions, as well as the listing of available applications and extensions for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Below the listing of available applications and extensions. Teachers can submit a request for an application or extension not currently available. Once the form is submitted, the requested application or extension will be reviewed to determine if its educationally relevant and suitable for TSC students.

Canvas LMS

What is Canvas?

Canvas is a Learning Management System (LMS) that will be used by teachers and students at TSC Middle Schools and High Schools. Canvas makes teaching and learning easier for everyone.

What is a Learning Management System?

A Learning Management System, or LMS, is a web-based software application that provides a platform for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, and delivery of digital education material and courses. In short, an LMS is where teachers will post announcements, assignments, resources, quizzes, tests, and other course-related materials for students to access. Within the LMS, students will access a calendar that shows information for all of their courses, they will access course materials, collaborate with their peers and teachers, submit assignments, and take assessments.

Is Canvas different than PowerSchool?

Yes. PowerSchool is where students' final grades are stored, along with other information related to scheduling, transcripts, attendance, etc. Canvas is where teachers present content and information to students, collect work from students, communicate with students, and much more. Grades may be visible in the Canvas gradebook, but may not always be accurate. PowerSchool is where the "true" grades are stored.

How do TSC students login to Canvas?

TSC students login to Canvas through the internet at the website www.tsc.instructure.com using their TSC username and password. Students should create a bookmark in Chrome before logging in.

Is there an iOS or Android App that can be used?

Install the Canvas iOS App (students/teachers only)

Install the Canvas Android App (students/teachers only)

How do TSC students learn how to use Canvas?

Below is a quick start-guide with some of the basic information students will need to get started using Canvas. Students can also review the Student Guides.

Canvas Guide for Students

TSC Virtual Desktops (VMware)

Printing at Home

Chrome at Home

TSC students can access their TSC Google account from any device. When accessing their Google account from a non-TSC Windows or Mac computer (personal device), instead of signing in to the Chrome browser with their TSC account, they should only sign in to Google services. Students will be unable to access most websites if they sign in to the Chrome browser at home due to TSC's internet filtering protocols.

To sign in to Google rather than the Chrome browser, navigate to www.google.com, drive.google.com, or any other Google service and sign in directly from that page. Signing in through this method will allow students to access their Google accounts and services without experiencing web filtering issues on their personal computers.

Google Search Image

Google Sign-in Image