Using a Chromebook

  • Accessing the Internet at Home

    1. Power on the Chromebook

    • Open the chromebook.
    • If the chromebook does not power on, hold down the power button. This may be on the side of the chromebook or on the top right of the keyboard.

    picture of keyboard

    2. Connect to Wi-fi

    • Because the chromebook is no longer at a school location, the wi-fi settings will have to be updated.
    • When you power on your chromebook, you will be asked to select the wi-fi network. Click on the appropriate network for your location.

    Wireless network options

    • If your network is password-protected, enter the password for your wireless network.
    • Click Connect. * If your Chromebook says no connection, you will restart and put your credentials in a second time before it connects.  

    wi-fi network

    • You may receive a message that the chromebook is managed by Gwinnett County Public Schools and will be asked to log on to the chromebook.
    • If you receive this message, click Next (blue button). 

    sign in to your chromebook

    3. Log onto the Chromebook

    • You will be redirected to the portal login screen. 
      • Enter your student number and click NEXT.
      • Enter your password.
      • Click SIGN IN.

    Portal login screen 1      Portal login screen 2

    4. Utilize your Student Portal

    • You are now logged onto the GCPS chromebook and into the student portal. 
    • From your student portal, you can access the following:
      1. My StudentVue 
      2. Your eCLASS Course Pages 
      3. The Online Research Library
      4. Additional resources such as Google Workspace for Education (Google Docs, Google Meet, and Google Classroom)
      5. Your digital textbooks.

    Student portal screen

    5. Sign Out

    • To sign out, click on the red Sign out icon at the bottom of the screen. This will allow a different user to log on. You should not need to re-enter wifi credentials.

  • Internet Hot Spots

    Hot spots are available for checkout through your local school to gain internet access at home. Contact your local school for additional information. 

  • Keyboard

    Chromebook keyboard

    The top row of keys on your Chromebook can be used to complete different functions. You can learn more about the top row of keys and common keyboard shortcuts through the Chromebook Simulator. 

    To learn more, check out our Keyboard and Touchpad episode on GCPS Tech Tips!

  • Touchpad

    Fingers on a touchpad

    There are no buttons on a Chromebook touchpad. You can use touchpad shortcuts to navigate your cursor. A two-finger click on a Chromebook works like a right click on a Windows device. You can learn more about the touchpad through the Chromebook Simulator.

    To learn more, check out our Keyboard and Touchpad episode on GCPS Tech Tips!

  • Kiosk Mode

    kiosk mode on a chromebook

    Kiosk mode on a Chromebook is used when students are accessing testing platforms to complete assessments. The student should not sign in, but click the Apps icon in the bottom left corner and navigate to the desired platform. 

Accessibility Features

  • Text to Speech

    The accessibility features of select to speak and ChromeVox can be used to read text aloud on your screen. Use Select to Speak to read aloud selected text and ChromeVox to read aloud everything displayed on a page. 

    To learn more, check out our Accessibility Features for Read Aloud episode on GCPS Tech Tips!

  • Alternative Input

    The accessibility features dictation, on-screen keyboard, predictive type, and digital handwriting can assist with entering text without the use of the traditional keyboard. Dictation allows for you to speak to enter text onto a page. The on-screen keyboard has built in features such as predictive type and the ability to use a drawing tool to enter text onto a page. 

    To learn more, check out our Alternative Input episode on GCPS Tech Tips!

  • Navigation

    To assist with navigation on the Chromebook, the automatic clicks, large and/or highlighted cursor, and sticky keys can be used. The automatic clicks will select or "click" on text when hoovered over that item for a certain period of time. The large and/or highlighted cursor makes the cursor easier to see. The sticky keys allow for certain keys to continue to be pressed when performing certain keyboard shortcuts. For example, CTRL + V for paste. 

    To learn more, check out our Cursor Navigation episode on GCPS Tech Tips!

  • Readability

    To assist with readability of the screen, the accessibility features of docked magnifer, page and display zoom, and high contrast can be used. The docked magnifier provides magnification of the placement of the cursor at the top of the screen. High contrast changes the color of the real text. 

    To learn more, check out our Readability episode on GCPS Tech Tips! 

  • Additional Features

    Want to learn more about accessibility features on Chromebooks and in Chrome? Check out the Google Chrome YouTube channel and the Chrome & Chrome OS Accessibility playlist.