Chromebook Tutorial “Choose Your Own Adventure”
Level: Riff Raff (Beginner)
Directions - Follow each step of the tutorial below: read, watch, and apply!
1) Sign in with your Google account username
- Every Google user has customized settings (tabs, bookmarks, apps, history, and extensions) that follow them regardless of what Chromebook they are using.
2) Watch:
3) Battery Life/Durability
**MAKE SURE YOU SELECT THE CASE FOR THE CORRECT CHROMEBOOK MODEL YOU USE**
4) Security and updates
- Multiple layers of protection are built into the Chromebook so that you never need to worry about virus protection. Automatic updates are pushed down to the Chromebook on a regular basis and ensure that your Chrome OS is up-to-date and has the latest security fixes. When your Chromebook needs to be updated, you will see the following icon in the “Status Area” on the far right hand, bottom of your screen:
- In order to automatically update your Chromebook, you only have to restart the device.
- On a Chromebook, each web page and application runs in a restricted environment called a "sandbox." If the Chromebook is connected to an infected page, it can’t affect the other tabs or apps on the computer, or anything else on the Chromebook. Every time the Chromebook starts up, it does a self-check called "Verified Boot." If it detects that the system has been corrupted in any way, it will repair itself.
5) Touchpad
- Use the touchpad to move the pointer and select items on the screen. Tap-to-click is enabled by default on your Chromebook and allows you to tap instead of clicking down on the touchpad.
- To move the pointer, move your finger across the touchpad.
- To click, press down on the lower half of the touchpad.
- To right click, click the touchpad with two fingers.
- To scroll, place two fingers on the touchpad and move them up and down to scroll vertically, left and right to scroll horizontally.
- To swipe, quickly move two fingers left or right to go backward or forward on web pages or while using apps.
- To drag and drop, click the item you want to move with one finger. With a second finger, move the item. Release both fingers to drop the item at its new location.
* If you or your students have difficulty using a touchpad, a wired or wireless mouse can be attached to your Chromebook.
6) Watch: Tutorial on Chromebook “Shelf”
- PLEASE PRESS THE “BACK” KEY TO RETURN TO THE TUTORIAL AFTER THIS VIDEO
7) Watch: Tutorial on Chromebook “Status Area”
- PLEASE PRESS THE “BACK” KEY TO RETURN TO THE TUTORIAL AFTER THIS VIDEO
8) Shortcut keys
- The Chromebook keyboard contains a new row of shortcut keys at the top and a Search key. These keys make it easy for you and your students to navigate between web pages and windows while easily controlling settings like volume and screen brightness. The Search key launches a new Search and makes it easy to find information fast.
Chromebook keyboard features
| Go to the previous page in your browsing history |
| Go to the next page in your browsing history |
| Reload/Refresh your current page |
| Open your page in full-screen (immersive) mode. In immersive mode you will still be able to access the omnibar and tabs when you move your pointer to the top of the screen. |
| Switch to your next window with the Window key |
| Decrease screen brightness |
| Increase screen brightness |
| Mute |
| Decrease the volume |
| Increase the volume |
| Search the web from the address bar. Note: This key is located on the side, where you'd normally find the Caps Lock key. |
A typical Chromebook keyboard does not have a Caps Lock key or a Delete key.
To access a full list of in-depth keyboard shortcuts, press CTRL+ALT+?
9) Files App
- The Files app can be accessed through your Apps list or by using a keyboard shortcut (alt + shift + m).
- The built-in Files app on your Chromebook allows you to access files that you’ve stored on your Chromebook. Using the Files app, students can easily access files stored on a USB flash drive, upload files to Google Drive, or download files from the web for viewing offline.
10) Signing Out of Your Chromebook
- Always log out of your Chromebook when finished. To sign out, choose Sign out from the Status area. If you’re going to be using the Chromebook soon, you also have the option of locking your Chromebook using the lock option in the Status area.
- You can also put your Chromebook to sleep by closing the lid. If you're not signed in, your Chromebook turns off. The screen also automatically turns off when it's been inactive for a period of time (6-8 minutes). Press any key or swipe the touchpad with your fingers on your Chromebook to wake it up. You'll find your windows and tabs appear exactly as you left them. You will need to re-enter your password if you personalized your user settings to require a password when waking from sleep (information for how to personalize this setting to come in later tutorials).
11) Power off
- To power off your Chromebook, hold down the Power key until the screen goes black or click on the Shutdown button in the Status area.
12) Please continue to this session’s activity...