Student Chromebook

Below you will find helpful Chromebook resources, including:

  • Basic instructions to assure the readiness of your Chromebook
  • Steps on how to connect your Chromebook to wifi and log into your NUSD Google account
  • Guidelines for how to properly disinfect your Chromebook, laptop, tablet, iPad and other classroom technology
  • How to install and use a Chrome extension called Kami to annotate PDFs on your Chromebook
  • Instructions on how to resolve issues with sound while using headphones on a Chromebook
  • How to remove pop-up blockers in Chrome and Firefox browsers

Chromebook Care and Maintenance‌

DO’S

  • Keep it charged. Please do not allow the battery to completely die. It is common for a Chromebook not to start again if the battery is allowed to completely drain.
  • Only clean the screen with a screen cleaner and dry microfiber or anti-static cloth. Clean the outside of the device with Clorox wipes or another disinfectant. Never spray anything directly on the Chromebook. Find more cleaning tips and instructions here.
  • Before closing the screen, make sure there is nothing on the keyboard to prevent the full closure of the device. Obstacles on the keyboard could cause broken screens, damaged hinges, or broken keys.
  • Gently pull the power cord straight out when unplugging your Chromebook. Gently push it straight in when plugging it in. Do not yank on it. The power port of the Chromebook can be broken if the power cable is yanked out at odd angles which will prevent it from charging in the future.

DON’TS

  • Chromebooks must remain free of any student applied writing, drawing, stickers, or labels.
  • Heavy objects should never be placed on top of Chromebooks.
  • Chromebooks should never be loaned to another student or individual during the school day or otherwise.
  • Please don’t eat or drink around the Chromebook. Crumbs can get under the keys and prevent them from working. Sticky substances can work themselves under the keys and make them sticky and unreliable. Spilled liquids on or around the Chromebook can short out the motherboard and break the device completely.
  • Do not leave the Chromebook on blankets, beds, sofas or pillows while on and in use. This may cause the Chromebook to overheat which can damage the device.

Chromebook Quick Start Guide

Step 1. Power It On

  1. Press the Power buttonStudent Chromebooklocated at the top right of the keyboard.
    Student Chromebook

Step 2. Add Your WiFi Connection

  1. At the bottom right, select the time.

              Student Chromebook

  1. Select Not connected Student Chromebook.

              Student Chromebook

  1. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list. Example: “Student Chromebook Nacho WiFiStudent Chromebook
  2. Type your network password. 

    Student Chromebook

  3. Select Connect.

Step 3. Add Yourself As A User

  1. On the bottom of the screen, click Add Person.

    Student Chromebook
  1. Enter your NUSD student account name (i.e. jd1234), then click Next.
    Student Chromebook
  2. At the next screen enter your student account password (i.e. jump4567), then click Next.

Tips on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Technology

The technology you use in your classroom can foster germs especially class sets of Chromebooks or tablets that get shared by multiple students throughout the day. It’s important to regularly disinfect your technology especially during cold and flu season. Here are some guidelines for how to properly disinfect your Chromebooks, laptops, tablets, iPads and other classroom technology:

  • Power off and unplug your device prior to cleaning the device.
  • Never spray anything directly on the device. Spray a disinfecting solution on a microfiber cloth first, then wipe the device with the cloth. Do not use paper towels in lieu of a microfiber cloth.
  • Do not use any chemical cleaners on the screen of any device because this can damage the screen (including disinfecting wipes). Screens must be cleaned with electronics wipes or screen cleaner.
  • Wipe the keyboard and outside of the device with a disinfecting wipe (ex: Clorox wipes) or a microfiber cloth sprayed with a cleaning agent. NEVER USE abrasive cleaners such as Comet or Ajax.
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after using your device especially when the device is shared with others.

Watch this short YouTube video to find recommendations on cleaning products and more tips on how to clean and disinfect your devices.

How to Annotate PDFs on Chromebooks

You are able to annotate PDFs on your Chromebook or Chrome browser without purchasing any additional software like Adobe Acrobat.  All you need is a Chrome extension called Kami to do this.

Chrome extensions are add-ons for your Chrome browser that allow you to customize and improve its functionality.  Chrome extensions can be found on the Chrome Web Store.

Kami is a chrome extension that allows you to open PDFs from your Google Drive, annotate with text, highlights, and more, then save that PDF back to your Google Drive.

First you need to install the Chrome extension:

  1. Visit this link
  2. Click “Add to Chrome”
  3. Click “Add Extension”
  4. You should now see a blue circle icon in the right-hand corner of your toolbar.  This is where your Chrome extensions live.

Now you can start opening and annotating PDFs from your Google Drive by following these steps:

  1. Open Google Drive
  2. Find a PDF you would like to edit and double click on it.
  3. At the top of the PDF viewer, you should see a drop down menu called “Open With”.  Click on this menu.
  4. Select “Annotate with Kami” from the list of applications.
  5. The first time you launch Kami, you will be asked to log in using your Google account.  This will link Kami to your Google Drive.
  6. This will open the PDF from the Kami website which will give you all the tools you need to annotate the PDF including highlighting, text, shapes, and more.
  7. Changes are automatically saved to Google Drive.

If you need help using Kami, visit their Help Center for instructions, tutorials and FAQs.  Here are links to some articles to help you get started:

Headphone Audio Issue on Chromebooks

This usually results because of a glitch on the Chromebooks. To resolve this issue please do the following:

  1. Plug headphone into headphone jack
  2. Click on the “settings” bar (bottom right – you should see clock, wifi, etc)
  3. Click the “right arrow” besides volume
  4. Click “Headphone”
  5. Unplug the headphone and it should auto switch back to speaker (Internal)

Now when you plug the headphone back in, it should auto switch to headphone.

Note: If this does not resolve the issue, please open a work order.

‌Removing Pop-up Blockers from Chrome and Firefox‌

To remove the Pop-Up Blocker in Chrome:

  1. Click on the word “Chrome” in the upper left corner of your screen
  2. Click on “Preferences”
  3. Click on the word “Settings” on the left of the screen
  4. Near the bottom of the screen in blue ink, click on “Advanced Settings”
  5. Under the word “Privacy”, click on “Content Settings”
  6. Scroll down the screen until you see the word “Pop-ups”
  7. Click on the button under Pop-Ups that says “Allow all sites to show pop-ups”
  8. Then click “Done”
  9. Close the window

To remove Pop-Up Blockers in Firefox:

  1. To access the pop-up blocker settings:
  2. Click the word “Firefox” in the upper left corner of your screen and then choose Preferences.
  3. Select the Content panel.
  4. In the Content panel below Pop-ups:
  5. Uncheck the box next to Block pop-up windows to disable the pop-up blocker altogether.