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Agenda

  • Chromebox Presentation
    • Why Chromebox?
    • Accessing & Logging In
    • Settings
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Chrome Bookmarks & Drive
  • Task Card Work Time

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Chromebox

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What is the Chromebox?

  • Mounted in top left corner
  • Works just like a Chromebook
  • Access anything with your Google account
  • Frees up personal devices

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ActivPanel vs. Chromebox

They are separate “computers.”

The ActivPanel is the system built into the panel itself. It’s what you’re using when you sign in with an NFC card or access apps such as Explain Everything whiteboard, timer, and spinner.

The Chromebox is an external device connected to the panel, providing more robust website compatibility. It uses the ActivPanel as a monitor.

The apps on the ActivPanel are still available while you’re on the Chromebox!

Aug 2024

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ActivPanel vs. Chromebox: Signing In

The two systems are why you have two places to sign in when using a panel.

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ActivPanel:

Chromebox:

Aug 2024

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Chromium ≠ Chromebox

Chromium is an app on the ActivPanel that is a web browser. This is different from the Chromebox.

Aug 2024

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Why Use the Chromebox?

  • You are automatically signed in to your district Google account by signing into the Chromebox
  • Increased website and extension compatibility
  • Saved bookmarks and preferences in Chrome

Extensions, bookmarks, and easy access to Google account

Aug 2024

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Accessing & Logging In

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Source: ActivPanel 9

To get to the Chromebox:

  • Select the source button on your panel
  • Go to USB-C

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Source Button

Select USB-C

Aug 2024

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Source: ActivPanel 7

To get to the Chromebox:

  • Select the source button on your panel
  • Go to HDMI

*If you have more than one HDMI plugged in, you can check to see which the Chromebox is connected to - it is mounted in the top left corner of your panel.

Source Button

Select the appropriate HDMI source

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Troubleshooting: “No Signal” or “Check Cable”

If you go to the correct source and see a black screen with a message like this:

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Check the Chromebox on the back left corner of the panel. The power button light should be on.

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If it is off, press it to turn it on.

If it is fading in and out, press it to wake it up.

Aug 2024

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Signing In

Use your district Google account email and password.

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After you sign in once, your profile will be remembered and you only need to type in your password.

Aug 2024

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Signing In: Add New User

If a profile that isn’t you is already on the Chromebox, select “Add Person” in the bottom left.

Aug 2024

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Signing In: Add New User

The on-screen keyboard can cover the Add Person button - minimize the keyboard by pressing the button in the top right corner.

Aug 2024

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Signing In: Remove User

If there is a user profile on your Chromebox that is no longer needed, you can remove it.

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Press the down arrow next to their name and then Remove account.

Aug 2024

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Chromebox Settings

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Chromebox Settings

When you are on the Chromebox, settings are accessed by clicking on the time in the lower right corner.

These are separate from the ActivPanel (screen size, on screen keyboard, volume, wifi).

Separate Volume from ActivPanel

Settings

Aug 2024

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Display Settings

Settings > Device > Displays

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Adjust display size for optimal viewing and interaction with the Chromebox

Aug 2024

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Accessibility Settings

Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and text input

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Enable the On Screen Keyboard for easy access

Keyboard

Aug 2024

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Accessibility Settings

Large Mouse Cursor

Settings > Accessibility > Cursor and touchpad

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Show large mouse cursor

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Stylus

Settings > Device > Stylus > Show stylus tools in the shelf

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This allows you to quickly use the stylus pen as a laser pointer or magnifying glass.

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Wireless Equipment

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Tips and Tricks

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Resizing Windows

Multi Window

Tap and hold the resize option (or hover if using a mouse) to see split options.

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If you have two windows split, you can use the slider between them to resize.

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Pinning Apps

Swipe up or select the or in the bottom left corner.

Press and hold any app to pin it to the shelf.

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The shelf is the bar at the bottom of the screen.

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Using the Doc Cam via the Chromebox

If you have one of the green doc cameras, plug the USB (charging) end into the ActivPanel.

(You don’t need to use the HDMI cord.)

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Open the camera on the Chromebox to show your doc cam simultaneously with other apps.

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Optimizing with Chrome

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Optimizing Chromebox Use

  • Sign in to Clever and make sure it is pinned for future access
  • Use Google Chrome bookmarks synced to your account to streamline use across devices
  • Keep Google Drive organized for easy access to needed resources
  • When presenting Google Slides, tap in bottom left corner for menu options, such as progressing through slides

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Aug 2024

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Chrome Bookmarks Tip

Three dots > Bookmarks and lists

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Show bookmarks bar

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Use bookmark manager to organize

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Google Drive Tip

Home is the default. It shows suggested files.

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Go to My Drive to see your files as you’ve organized them.

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Use folders to help you stay organized.

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Presenting Google Slides

When putting a presentation in Slideshow mode:

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Tap in the bottom left corner, slide numbers will appear

Select the three dots for menu options

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Tap arrows to move through slides or use wireless keyboard

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Aug 2024

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Quiz

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ActivPanel or Chromebox? Quiz

A user taps their NFC card so they can sign in. But once they go to Source: USB-C, it is prompting them to sign in with their district account. Why didn’t the NFC card work?

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  1. They have to be on the USB-C source first
  2. Someone else was signed in
  3. The NFC card signs them in to the panel, not the Chromebox
  4. The NFC card should be reset

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ActivPanel or Chromebox? Quiz

A user selects the source button, then USB-C. They see a black screen with the words “no signal”. What should they do?

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  1. They need to check the wifi
  2. They need to turn on the Chromebox
  3. They need to turn on the ActivPanel
  4. They need to tap their NFC card

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ActivPanel or Chromebox? Quiz

A user is playing a YouTube video on the Chromebox, but they cannot hear the sound. What should the user do?

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  1. Check the volume buttons on the panel
  2. Check the volume in the settings of the Chromebox
  3. Check the volume on the YouTube window
  4. All of the above

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ActivPanel or Chromebox? Quiz

Oh no! The user is on the Chromebox but the wifi isn’t working. Where should they check the wifi?

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  1. Flame button, right side of menu, wifi logo
  2. Time in bottom right corner, wifi in menu

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ActivPanel or Chromebox? Quiz

A user is on the Chromebox source (USB-C). They tap the flame, then open Chromium. But they aren’t signed in with their Google account on the web browser! What should they do?

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  • They should make sure they are signed in to the Chromebox
  • They should make sure they are signed in to the ActivPanel
  • They should sign in to their Google account on the browser
  • They should open Chrome from the Chromebox

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Task Cards

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Task Card

On an ActivPanel:

  1. Access the Chromebox on the panel
  2. Log in (pick one teacher’s account to use if in a group)
  3. Change the display settings to 200%
  4. Pin an app to the shelf
  5. Open 2 windows and put them each on one half of the screen. Use the slider to make one window slightly bigger than the other.
  6. Access Clever and/or a common website/app you use in your class
  7. (LAST) Log out and remove account from Chromebox

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How can you utilize the chromebox on the panel in your classroom? (Think: accessing curriculum instead of using a doc cam, small group activities with virtual manipulatives, collaboration on a product)

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Task Card

On your Laptop:

  • Think about the websites you use frequently in your class. How do you want to streamline your access to them? (Bookmarks, Google Drive documents, etc.)
  • If you’d like to use bookmarks, spend some time organizing them.
  • If you’d like to utilize your Google Drive easily, spend some time organizing your drive.

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How can you utilize the chromebox on the panel in your classroom? (Think: accessing curriculum instead of using a doc cam, small group activities with virtual manipulatives, collaboration on a product)