Frequently Asked Questions
1) Q. What is a Chromebook?
A. “Chromebooks are mobile devices designed specifically for people who live on the web. With a comfortable, full-sized keyboard, large display and clickable track pad, all- day battery life, light weight and built-in ability to connect to Wi-Fi and mobile broadband networks, the Chromebook is ideal for anytime, anywhere access to the web. They provide a faster, safer, more secure online experience for people who live on the web, without all the time-consuming, often confusing, high level of maintenance required by typical computers.”
Google
2) Q. What kind of software does a Chrome device run?
A. “Chrome devices run millions of web-based applications, or web apps, that open right in the browser. You can access web apps by typing their URL into the address bar or by installing them instantly from the Chrome Web Store.” Google
3) Q. How are these web-based applications managed?
A. Each Chrome device we provide to students will be a managed device. Members of Haverford School District’s Technology Department will maintain devices through our Google Apps for Education account. As such, the school can pre-install web applications as well as block specific web applications from a centralized management console
4) Q. What devices can I connect to a Chromebook?
A. Chromebooks can connect to:
~ USB storage, mice and keyboards
~ SIM cards
~ SD cards
~ External monitors and projectors
~ Headsets, earbuds, microphones
5) Q. How do I log into a Chrome device?
A. Students should log into their Chrome device with their student Google email address and password. Because the Chrome device is managed by Haverford School District only authorized users are able log in to the device. Please contact your school Technology Department if you have forgotten your login information.
6) Q. Can the Chrome device be used anywhere at any time?
A. Yes, as long as you have a WiFi signal to access the web. Chrome offers the ability through Apps so users can work in an "offline" mode if Wi-Fi is unavailable.
7) Q. Do Chrome devices come with Internet Filtering Software?
A. No. Chromebooks do not come with Internet filtering software. However, the School District of Haverford Township is providing onsite and offsite filtering using the District’s web filter over wifi and routing outside the District.
8) Q. Will the School District be monitoring my browsing use on the Chrome device?
A. Yes, Lightspeed monitoring software is installed on all student Chromebooks.
9) Q. Does the School District filter content available on my Chrome device?
A. Yes, the School District installs filtering software that will make ever attempt to block inappropriate content from delivery to the Chrome device. While the software is very good, occasionally inappropriate content could filter through to the student device. Students are responsible to immediately close any websites with content that is inappropriate or offensive and report the issue to the technology department for review.
10) Q. Is antivirus built into my Chrome device?
A. It is not necessary to have antivirus software on Chrome devices because there are no running programs for viruses to infect.
11) Q. Battery life?
A. Chrome devices have a rated battery life of 6.5 hours. However, we do expect that students charge them each evening to ensure maximum performance during the school day.
General Information for Parents and Students
10 Netiquette Guidelines Online Students Need to Know
By Ashley Brooks on 01/28/2019
Proper etiquette is nothing new for most people. You grew up with your parents constantly telling you to mind your manners. But in a digital age where the unwritten online “rules” are constantly changing, proper netiquette may seem a bit mystifying. Add in the atmosphere of an online classroom, and suddenly the proper netiquette guidelines don’t seem as easy as a simple “please” and “thank you.”
As you might have guessed, netiquette is essentially rules and norms for interacting with others on the internet in a considerate, respectful way. We enlisted several experts to set some guidelines to make sure your online manners are up to par.
Learn how to be on your best behavior in an online classroom with 10 netiquette guidelines every online student needs to know.
1. NO YELLING, PLEASE
There’s a time and a place for everything—BUT IN MOST SITUATIONS TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS INAPPROPRIATE. Most readers tend to perceive it as shouting and will have a hard time taking what you say seriously, no matter how intelligent your response may be. If you have vision issues, there are ways to adjust how text displays so you can still see without coming across as angry.
2. Sarcasm can (and will) backfire
Sarcasm has been the source of plenty of misguided arguments online, as it can be incredibly difficult to understand the commenters' intent. What may seem like an obvious joke to you could come across as off-putting or rude to those who don’t know you personally. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to avoid sarcasm altogether in an online classroom. Instead, lean toward being polite and direct in the way you communicate to avoid these issues.
3. Don’t abuse the chat box
Chat boxes are incorporated into many online classes as a place for students to share ideas and ask questions related to the lesson. It can be a helpful resource or a major distraction—it all depends on how well students know their classroom netiquette.
“Rather than asking relevant questions or giving clear answers, students might use the chat box to ask questions irrelevant to the discussion, or to talk about an unrelated topic,” says Erin Lynch, senior educator at Test Innovators. The class chat box isn’t an instant messenger like you’d use with friends. Treat it like the learning tool it’s meant to be, and try not to distract your classmates with off-topic discussions.
4. Attempt to find your own answer
If you’re confused or stuck on an assignment, your first instinct may be to immediately ask a question. But before you ask, take the time to try to figure it out on your own.
For questions related to class structure, such as due dates or policies, refer to your syllabus and course FAQ. Attempt to find the answers to any other questions on your own using a search engine. If your questions remain unanswered after a bit of effort, feel free to bring them up with your instructor.
5. Stop ... grammar time!
Always make an effort to use proper punctuation, spelling and grammar. Trying to decipher a string of misspelled words with erratic punctuation frustrates the reader and distracts from the point of your message.
On the other hand, it’s important to be reasonable about others’ grammar mistakes. Nobody likes the grammar police, and scolding a classmate because he or she used “your” instead of “you’re” isn’t practicing proper netiquette.
6. Set a respectful tone
“An increasingly common netiquette faux pas is treating e-correspondence with faculty and staff as an ongoing chat among friends,” says Alexey Timbul, online professor at the Academy of Art University.
Every day may feel like casual Friday in an online classroom where you don’t see anyone in person, but a certain level of formality is still expected in your communication with instructors. In addition to proper punctuation and spelling, it’s good netiquette to use respectful greetings and signatures, full sentences and even the same old “please” and “thank you” you use in real life.
7. Submit files the right way
You won’t be printing assignments and handing to them to your teacher in person, so knowing how to properly submit your work online is key to your success as an online student. Online course instructors often establish ground rules for file assignment submissions, like naming conventions that help them keep things organized or acceptable file formats. Ignoring these instructions is a common example of bad netiquette.
“Receiving work that does not adhere to the file format and naming protocol means a student is not paying attention,” says Timbul. If you don’t follow instructions, you’re taking the risk that your instructor won’t be able to find or open your assignment. Save yourself and your instructor a headache and read their instructions carefully before submitting.
8. Read first
Take some time to read through each of the previous discussion post responses before writing your own response. If the original post asked a specific question, there’s a good chance someone has already answered it. Submitting an answer that is eerily similar to a classmate’s indicates to the instructor that you haven’t paid attention to the conversation thus far.
Remember, discussions can move fairly quickly so it’s important to absorb all of the information before crafting your reply. Building upon a classmate’s thought or attempting to add something new to the conversation will show your instructor you’ve been paying attention.
9. Think before you type
A passing comment spoken in class can be forgotten a few minutes later, but what you share in an online classroom is part of a permanent digital record. “Whether or not privacy settings are in place, the internet has a tendency to house things forever, and what you say privately can easily become public,” advises etiquette expert Devoreaux Walton.
Not only is it good practice to be guarded when it comes to personal information, you always want to be just as respectful toward others as you would be if you were sitting in the same room together. Zink says a good rule of thumb to follow is if you’re comfortable standing up in front of a classroom and saying your message, then it’s most likely okay to share.
10. Be kind and professional
Online communication comes with a level of anonymity that doesn’t exist when you’re talking to someone face-to-face. Sometimes this leads people to behave rudely when they disagree with one another. Online students probably don’t have the complete anonymity that comes with using a screen name, but you could still fall prey to treating someone poorly because of the distance between screens. Make a point to be kind and respectful in your comments—even if you disagree with someone.
“At the core, all of these mistakes come down to forgetting that an online classroom is still a classroom,” Lynch says. “Good netiquette means conducting yourself in an online class with the same respect, politeness and professionalism that you would exhibit in a real-life classroom.”
Practice makes perfect
You’ve just completed your crash course in netiquette guidelines, so go out there and post like the well-mannered student you are! If you’re looking for more assistance as you navigate your online courses, you’ll want to check out our article, “9 Surprising Student Resources You Didn’t Know Rasmussen College Offered.”
Screen Time and School-Age Children
Eastern Washington University
Published On:
In today's increasingly digital world, children are surrounded by computers, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches and TVs, and screen time is unavoidable.
Teachers and parents know they should limit screen time. But how much? What counts as screen time? To complicate matters, schoolwork can require interacting with digital devices. It is almost impossible to avoid screens in all grade levels, starting as young as preschool.
CNN's "New Screen Time Rules for Kids, by Doctors" states that the previous guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics have suggested limiting TV time to two hours. However, Dr. Yolanda Reid Chassiakos, author of "Children and Adolescents and Digital Media Technical Report," says that one rule does not work for everyone. For some children, two hours of TV can be too much.
Side Effects of Too Much Screen Time
With screens pervading every aspect of children's lives, is it really harmful to spend too much time in front of them?
Numerous studies correlate increased screen time with these side effects:
- Obesity: Interacting with screens is typically a sedentary activity, which can lead to weight gain from a lack of movement or from poor dietary choices based on foods seen in ads.
- Sleep problems: Screens have electronic magnetic fields (EMFs) that can affect the sleep cycle.
- Mental health problems: The authors of "Dose-Response Association of Screen Time-based Sedentary Behaviour in Children and Adolescents and Depression" link higher screen time to mental health issues including depression, anxiety, mood disorders and ADHD.
- Educational problems: A study published in the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry connects increased screen time with poorer academic performance.
- Social problems: A University of California, Los Angeles study has found that sixth graders who went five days without looking at a screen read emotions better than those who had access to digital devices.
Spending too much time with digital devices has been connected to behavior problems, a greater likelihood of solving problems with violence, impaired cognitive development and more. The evidence highlights the need to monitor children's time with digital devices at home and at school.
Recommendations for Screen Time
Because it's important for children to have a balanced digital diet, educators need to review their students' screen time and the usage of tablets and computers in the classroom. They will want to ensure sufficient time for face-to-face interactions to help students develop social skills.
To limit screen time, parents and educators can specify times and locations for the use of digital devices. Examples of media-free zones and times include the cafeteria and specific classroom areas at school and dinnertime and bedrooms at home.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting entertainment screen time to one hour per day for children aged 2 to 5 years. Children younger than 18 months should not have any screen time. Rather than set a time limit for children ages 6 and older, the AAP advises implementing consistent limits on time spent and the types of media used. Media consumption should not replace physical activity, sleep and social interactions.