Chromebooks 101Susan Watt

Bits and Bytes Speaker SeriesDecember 16, 2020

AGENDA

● The Basics● Comparison with other devices; Pros/Cons● Keyboard● Google Accounts; logging in and out; multiple users● Access to Google Drive, Docs and other Google Apps● Launcher, the Shelf, the Tray and Settings● Using Zoom on a Chromebook● DEMO ● Q / A

The Basics

● Small, lightweight, laptop-style computer● Inexpensive, compared to other laptops● Quick start-up (~ 10 seconds), ease of maintenance (updates

run in background)● First Chromebooks - Acer and Samsung - June 2011● Currently - various models and manufacturers - including

tablets, flip models, touchscreenand other features

How is a Chromebook different from other laptops?

● Not a ‘Mac’ or ‘Windows’ device; Mac & Windows software won’t run on a Chromebook

● Fully internet dependent; runs the Chrome Browser as its operating system

● No software to install. The only application that is installed on the device is the browser. Everything you do is web-based.

● All files created are stored in the cloud. (limitedstorage available in ‘Files’)

● There is a downloads folder; there is no desktop.

Pros ....................................... Cons

● Small and lightweight● Very fast start-up● Updates automatically● Chrome OS is fast and stable● Long battery life● Has a built in camera and mic● Has bluetooth capabilities● Has USB and HDMI ports● Reduced risk of viruses / malware

● Good-bye Microsoft Office● No Gaming● No multi-media projects● No CD / DVD drive● Printing can be a challenge

(must use Google Cloud Print, which many find awkward)

● Limited storage● Single USB port

The Keyboard

● Simpler, and smaller● Top row keys are unique to Chromebook● CNRL and ALT keys for right-click and keyboard shortcuts● For more:

https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/183101?hl=en

Google Accounts and Logging In

When you first open and boot up, you can either:1) ‘Browse as a Guest’, or2) ‘Add a User’, then sign in to your Google Account (same as gmail)

Signing out / Multiple Users on Same Device

● You can sign out after a session by clicking on the tray (bottom right) and choosing ‘Sign Out’

● Your account and image will remain on the log in screen even after you log out

● Multiple users can be set up on a chromebook● To remove a user, click the drop down arrow button in the

upper right corner of the account image, thenconfirm by clicking ‘Remove this person’

Google Drive, Docs and other Google Applications

● Once you log in, your personalized chrome browser will appear - including all of your apps and extensions, bookmarks, etc.

● Some common apps: Google Drive - for saving and organizing files Google Docs - for creating documents Google Slides - for creating slideshows

Other Google Apps

Using Launcher and the Shelf

The Tray; Chromebook Settings

Using Zoom on a Chromebook

● Need to use the web version of Zoom (cannot download the application)

● There is a built in camera and mic on a Chromebook● Possible to use a web cam plugged in to the USB port● Most features work well● When you are screen-sharing, some of the accessibility

features and shortcuts don’t work● Camera also shuts off automatically during screen-share

Demonstration

● Chrome - extensions, bookmarks, tabs, 3 dots for more● Launcher, Shelf, Tray, and Settings● Accessibility Options● Voice to Text● Split Screen● How to Access the Web Store● Q / A

Resources● What is a Chromebook: (there are so many articles like this one - please do some of your

own searching!) https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/what-is-a-chromebook● Chromebook Shortcuts:

https://www.androidcentral.com/chromebook-keyboard-shortcuts-every-student-should-know

● Chromebook Videos (for a chuckle):Time to Switch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7aW7qtS6ZM

Bill Nye - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS0H0XDDotI

I’m dying - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6fnGA8fzX8

Tired of Viruses - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-WPIZcTGpI

SummaryChromebooks 101 - Curious about a Chromebook? Please join us at our December Speaker Series meeting when Susan Watt will do a short presentation about this unique device. She will do the presentation on a Chromebook and will share her screen in Zoom, so that you can actually see how the Chromebook works. In the presentation, Susan will address: the physical features of a Chromebook, its basic functionality, how it differs from other laptops and devices, how to log in, access to Google Drive / Docs and other Google apps, and adding apps or extensions from the Chrome Store. We will finish with a Q/A. Sent to Gerry (news), Guenther (website), Jim (calendar)