Chromebook Support
Chromebooks are used within grades K through 12 classrooms. Great teaching, when paired with the right technology, improves student learning. Chromebooks seamlessly connect to Eastern Carver County Schools’ network where students access apps and websites for their learning. Students log on using a district account provided through Google Workspace for Education. Student Google accounts are managed by Eastern Carver County Schools. This account is where students will store homework, projects, class notes and more.
Student & Parent Help: Call 952-556-7777 or email 112chromehelp@district112.org
Access and Device Information
Device Specifications
Below are specifications of devices provided most frequently for student use in classrooms. Computer hardware and software used for education qualify for Minnesota’s income tax K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction (please read this information from the Department of Revenue or consult your tax preparer). For BYOD a Chromebook or Windows-based laptop will provide the most flexibility for a wide range of student courses from elementary through high school. This information is not provided as an endorsement of one product over another, these are the specifications of devices currently being purchased to support our classrooms.
Chromebook Devices
Dell Chromebook 3110 for Education (Note: USB-C flat power supply plug)
Intel Celeron-N4000 Processor
11.6” Anti-Glare HD LCD, non-touch screen with sound and web cam
4GB 2400MHz LPDDR4 Non-ECC memory
16GB eMMC SSD storage
Intel® Dual Band Wireless AC 9560 (802.11ac) 2×2 + Bluetooth 5.0
Spill protected touch and keyboard with mil-spec tested for drops, spill, vibration.
Dimensions: Height: 0.82″ (20.8 mm) x Width: 11.96″ (303.9 mm) x Depth: 8.19″ (207.9 mm)
NOTE: Power adapters are unique by device type. When looking for an additional or replacement device make sure you are searching for the power adapter which is specific to the model of Chromebook which your child is being provided.
Bring Your Own Device
Students who use their own computing device will be required to install a non-mobile version of Chrome or compatible browser. Some classrooms may use extensions or applications that only work in the Chrome browser or Chrome operating system. iPads, Kindles, smartphones and Android tablets may not be usable because they do not support all the demands of the district’s curriculum. Direct support from district or school staff for students who bring their own device will be limited. With the variety of devices available and an endless number of configurations that can be installed, students will be expected to manage their own personal devices.
In-School Wireless
The primary object of our wireless and internet access is to provide wireless coverage and internet access to devices used for classroom and classroom related access for learning. It is not our intention to provide access for personal use related to non-school work in areas such streaming, texting, gaming, etc. and as such, specific controls are in place to meet our primary objective of providing services to the classroom for learning.
Here are five different connection options to the Eastern Carver County Schools wireless network and each access is geared to a particular type of access:
112PUBLIC – Open access to any device and any visitor, student or staff person for 8 hrs.
112Guest – Open to any device but restricted for use for Students and Staff only with an Eastern Carver County Schools logon.
112CLASS – Restricted to use by District owned and managed iPads, tablets and Chromebooks.
112DEVICE – Restricted to use by District owned and managed Microsoft Windows and Apple MAC based computers.
112BUS– Open access to any device and anyone using our public school buses.
The district’s priority is to provide wireless coverage and internet access for classrooms and classroom-related learning. 112CLASS and 112DEVICE are always provided gold level service as these connections are primarily for classroom and classroom related work. 112BYOD is provided silver level and 112PUBLIC is provided Bronze level service.
To support BYOD ( Bring Your Own Device ) Eastern Carver County Schools provides two primary methods . The first is the use of the wireless network 112PUBLIC which will provide you access for one day. The second is the use of 112Guest wireless network where if you have valid staff or student network account you sign in and register up to 5 devices for instant access for up to 6 months. Per Eastern Carver County Schools acceptable use policy all internet traffic is monitored, access is recorded and sites are restricted.
Public Wireless Connection Instructions.
Search for wireless networks on your device and connect to 112 Public. You will be required to accept our terms of use by clicking on the Accept button and you will be provide up to 8 hours of access to our Public wireless network.
Guest Wireless Connection Instructions.
Search for wireless networks on your device and connect to 112Guest. You will see an connection page and in the page enter your district network username ( do not use the @district112.org OR @isd112.org part of your username ) and your network password and click Sign On. After you complete this process your device be registered with our network and auto connect for up to 6 months before requiring authentication.
Please Note:
- To access 112Public network on some devices you may need to open any web page.
- A device may not be used on 112Public or 112Guest at the same time. If after the device is registered on 112Guest and you switch to use 112Public you may be required to authenticate the device on 112Guest a second time.
- You may register up to 5 devices on the 112Guest network. When the 6th device is registered with your district username the oldest devices access will be removed.
WiFi Options Away From School
Comcast and CenturyLink offer affordable internet as low as $9.95 a month*.
To learn more information:
Comcast- call 1-855-846-8376 or visit www.internetessentials.com (En Español – https://es.internetessentials.com/)
CenturyLink- call 1-866-541-3330 or visit http://www.centurylink.com/home/internetbasics/
*restrictions and qualifications apply
Checking out a mobile hotspot from your school.
The primary object of objective of the District hotspots are to enhance and support LEARNING for our students. The Mobile Hotspot needs to be checked out and returned to school the next day, it is not intended for long term internet service.
Each Mobile Hotspot is $200 to replace so please be respectful and responsible when checking out a Hotspot.
How to connect to a Mobile Hotspot
- Turn wireless hotspot on.
- A wireless network called 112Mobile will appear on your device.
- Connect to the network for access.
Please ensure the Hotspot is powered off when not in use.
Remember:
A Mobile Hotspot will only work with Eastern Carver County Chromebooks.
When using a Mobile Hotspots the information you are accessing is being filtered the same as if you are at school.
The hotspot is intended to LEARNING any excessive use of this resource will result in restrictions regarding checkout.
If you are working on a Google Drive App you can access and edit information while offline (for most apps), no internet access is needed.
See the Media Center for help with offline access.
Editing Offline Files
Editing Offline Google Files (Docs, Sheets, Presentations, Drawings)
(This is turned on by Default for ECCS Connexion Chromebook Devices)
To ensure that a specific file you need is available offline, simply open it and then close it again.
When you are offline, open Google Drive or Google Docs in your browser by going to the same URL that you use in online mode (http://drive.google.com) or you can use the Google Drive App. All of your files will be listed as usual, but the ones that aren’t available offline will be grayed out. (Note: If the browser window just keeps spinning, shut down your chromebook, turn it back on and try again – This should fix the issue)
Double-click to open a file. You’ll see a gray “Offline” icon displayed alongside the filename.
Your changes are saved automatically as you edit a document. When you go back online they will be synced back to your account. Any files that have been edited locally but not yet synced will be displayed in bold type in your docs list.
You can also create new documents when working offline. These will be uploaded to your account the next time you are online.
Besides Docs, Sheets, Presentations, and Drawings that you can access Offline, there are some other Google Products that you can set up for Offline Use as well:
Write emails. Gmail Offline is built to support offline access, allowing mail to be read, responded to, searched, and archived without network access. Gmail Offline will send your messages as soon as Wi-Fi is available.
View appointments. With offline access from the Google Calendar app, you can view a read-only version of your calendar.
Take notes. With Google Keep, you can take and save short notes that will save to the cloud the next time you’re online.
Read offline web pages. If you’ve saved web pages for offline viewing later, they will open in Google Chrome on your Chromebook.
View and edit photos. Your Chromebook comes with a built-in photo editor, so you can view and edit photos that are saved to your Chromebook.
Published by Google Drive–Report Abuse–Updated automatically every 5 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Chromebook and why was it selected?
- What are the expectations of students?
- What if my student's Chromebook is lost/broken/stolen/forgotten?
- How is inappropriate content blocked?
- How do I connect to my WiFi at home?
- How do students print?
- How long will my battery last?
- Can students use their own laptops or tablets (Bring Your Own Device) instead of a Chromebook?
- Can a student use a personal Google account they have already created instead of the district's account?
- Why do I need a Chromebook Insurance plan?
- Will I have any fees when I return my Chromebook?
- What happens at the start of the school year?
- What happens at the end of the school year?
What is a Chromebook and why was it selected?
- The district’s focus is not the device or brand, but on using technology effectively. A device is another tool for our excellent teachers to promote transformational learning experiences in Eastern Carver County Schools. A Chromebook is a laptop that primarily runs web-based software and Google’s Android operating system.
- The Chromebook is a cost-effective device with a long battery life and is efficiently managed in large numbers. Chromebooks were selected because they support close collaboration, communication, engagement, and personalization between students and their teachers. Developmental projects funded through PowerUp (2012-13) showed success with Chromebooks by both teachers and students. They will seamlessly connect to student Google accounts, which already are in use and managed by the district. They run web-based software which is continually expanding and improving to support nearly every possible student use except for engineering and high-end graphic and video production. See a quick summary video here.
- Because Chromebooks rely on web-based software, the district is not tied to this device for the long-term. If a better or less expensive device emerges in the future, the district will be able to migrate to it easily without losing student work or sacrificing the investment in teacher professional development.
What are the expectations of students?
- Students will bring the Chromebook to school every day fully charged.
- Students will protect the device from damage, defacement, and will not leave it unattended.
- Students will practice responsible digital citizenship at all times.
- Students must remember that they should not give their device to others to use.
- Students may be responsible for any inappropriate content viewed on the device and any damage that may occur.
- Students will never give their login information to other students.
- See copy of ECCS Technology and Internet Acceptable Use Policy for more information
What if my student's Chromebook is lost/broken/stolen/forgotten?
- If a student has any issues (will not work, damaged, lost/stolen) with the Chromebook they should stop in the media center of the building they attend and see the Technology Associate. They will be able to assist the student with the issues that they are experiencing.
- As with any piece of school property checked out to a student, families are responsible for appropriate use while it is in the student’s possession. Much like a textbook that student borrows, a Chromebook belongs to Eastern Carver County Schools. Each device is assigned to that student at the time of distribution. If a device is stolen it will not work outside our district’s Google Apps environment. If a Chromebook is damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen, it will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Damage or loss of device due to negligence and/or repeated incidents may require a student’s family to pay for repair or replacement. The district offers a Protection Plan to cover the first three incidents of damage, repair or theft.
- All students are expected to bring a fully charged Chromebook to school each day. In the event that they do not, one may be issued from the media center. If available, the loaner device would need to be returned at the end of the day.
How is inappropriate content blocked?
The district’s network is filtered and each computer’s internet access is logged and can be reviewed. Eastern Carver County Schools follow (and may exceed) federal and local guidelines that require filtering of inappropriate material. In addition, student Google accounts are managed by school and district administrators and can be accessed any time if needed.
As with all devices at home, it is the family’s responsibility to establish guidelines and check in with their student frequently about the content and apps they are accessing. For more information about our Internet filtering please check out this link.
How do I connect to my WiFi at home?
Click on the Wi-Fi icon on the lower left of the Chromebook to see a list of available networks. Click on the name of the network that you wish to connect to and then enter the Wi-Fi password (if it is password protected). More information on connecting the Chromebook to Wi-Fi can be found by clicking here.
How do students print?
How long will my battery last?
Can students use their own laptops or tablets (Bring Your Own Device) instead of a Chromebook?
- Yes. Eastern Carver County Schools’ technology plan calls for introduction of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) in middle school and expansion in high school students.
- Students that choose to BYOD will be required to install a non-mobile version of Chrome or compatible browser. Classrooms may use extensions or applications that only work in the Chrome browser or Chrome operating system. BYOD devices will be limited with the level of direct support that school or district staff can provide. Please note that iPads, Kindles, smartphones and Android tablets are not acceptable alternatives because they do not support all the demands of the district’s curriculum.
- To verify that your device would meet district minimum standards visit the device specifications page from district website.
Can a student use a personal Google account they have already created instead of the district's account?
Why do I need a Chromebook Insurance plan?
Chromebook Insurance is an optional plan to help families lower the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged Chromebook. It is not required. Families will be responsible for the full cost of repairing any damage caused by their student. For a $20 fee, the Insurance Plan eliminates out-of-pocket costs for most repairs and replacement for approximately one school year. The district will repair faulty parts (i.e. hard drive, camera, etc.). Lost or damaged power adapters are not covered by the insurance plan or the district.
Will I have any fees when I return my Chromebook?
At the end of 12th grade or when a student starts 6th grade or 9th grade they will turn in their existing Chromebook which has reached it’s end of useful life for a new Chromebook. Students are responsible for keeping their Chromebook in good condition. When students return their old Chromebook for new one, District staff will use the following guidelines when assessing the condition of returned Chromebooks and chargers. If you are concerned about having to pay, your family can purchase a protection plan here to defray repair and replacement costs. Be sure to purchase the insurance plan before returning a Chromebook; the damage waiver cannot be applied retroactively.
Please note:
- If you have an active Chromebook Insurance Plan the only costs you would see are for a missing/unreturned Chromebook and/or a damaged/missing charger.
- Deliberate and malicious damage is not covered by the Chromebook Insurance Plan.
- Fees below are for Chromebooks at the end of useful life and are based on their scrap value. Fees are higher for Chromebooks which are being repaired or returned during their working life.
- If device is not in working order when a 9th or 6th grader exchange their device the maximum repair fee is $75.00, if no device is returned the fee is $100.00 plus $35.00 if the charger is also not returned.
- 12th grade returning devices for the 2022-23 school year will only be charged if they do not return their assigned Chromebook and/or charger.
What happens at the start of the school year?
Incoming K, 1st and 2nd grade students will be using an assigned classroom Chromebook. Chromebooks will stay in the classroom however individual classes may have students bring Chromebooks home for use in the evening/weekend.
Incoming 3rd graders who had Chromebooks from the prior school year and over the summer will need to bring the Chromebook they used back to school on the first day. Sometime during the third week (or later) they will be provided a new Chromebook, which they will use until they start 6th grade.
Incoming 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th graders will use the same Chromebook they used the prior school year.
Incoming 6th and 9th graders with existing Chromebooks will exchange their current Chromebook for a new one during the first or second week of school (each school will provide detailed directions), Sixth graders will use this Chromebook for all years of middle school and ninth graders will use this Chromebook until they graduate from high school.
Note: When a student exchanges their assigned Chromebook at the beginning of sixth or ninth grades, the Chromebook and power charger must be in full working condition. Normal wear-and-tear and cosmetic issues are acceptable but damage to a device will result in charges. If a Chromebook is covered by the district’s Chromebook Protection Plan, damages on the returned Chromebook will be covered according to plan details. If a Chromebook is not returned, fees related to replacement of the device will be charged. If a power charger is not returned, a fee will be assessed as power chargers are not covered under the protection plan.
Students who are new to Eastern Carver County Schools will be able to pick up a Chromebook at their school’s Media/Innovation Center after the first day of school or at orientation sessions (each school will have additional details).
Chromebook pick-up after summer If you had your school keep your Chromebook over the summer please plan on picking up your Chromebook at the Media/Innovation Center after the first day of school.
Consider a Protection Plan to reduce or eliminate potential fees (chargers are not covered by the protection plan) from accidental loss or damage which may occur to your assigned Chromebook during the school year.
What happens at the end of the school year?
What happens at the END of the 2022-2023 school year?
2023 graduating seniors / Non returning students
All 2023 seniors and any students not returning to Eastern Carver County Schools for the 2023-24 school year must return their assigned Chromebook with a power charger to their school before leaving for the summer. Details on the various options to return devices will be provided by your school.
Kindergarten through 11th grade students
All students in 3rd through 11th grade who have a District provided Chromebook from the 2022-2023 school year can keep their Chromebook for use during the summer of 2023, and then bring them back for the start of 2023-2024 school year. For more details please see below:
- Current Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students will leave their Chromebook in their classroom for the summer and will use classroom sets of Chromebooks again for the 2023-24 school year.
- Student incoming in 4th – 12th grade should plan on bringing the Chromebook they used over the summer back on the first day of school next fall.
- During the first or second week of the 2023-24 school year (each school will provide detailed directions) the following will happen;
- Incoming third grade students will get their assigned Chromebook and will use this until the start of 6th grade.
- Incoming sixth and ninth grade students will exchange their current Chromebook for a new one. Sixth graders will use this Chromebook until the start of 9th grade and 9th graders will use this Chromebook until they graduate from high school.
- All other students will use their same Chromebook for the 2023-2024 school year.
Consider a Chromebook Insurance Plan to reduce or eliminate potential fees (chargers are not covered by the protection plan) from accidental loss or damage over the summer.
Students who do not want to keep a Chromebook over the summer should contact your school or email us at 112Chromehelp@district112.org or call us 952 556 7777 to make arrangements to drop off your Chromebook. You will receive the same Chromebook once school starts in the fall of 2023.
Where to get help. If you have had issues with your Chromebook over the summer you can stop by your school’s Media/Innovation Center during the start of school. For summer help please email 112chromehelp@district112.org or call and leave a message at 952 556 7777.
Note: When a student turns in their Chromebook at the end of 12th grade, or exchanges it at the beginning of sixth or ninth grades, the Chromebook and power charger must be in full working condition. Normal wear-and-tear and cosmetic issues are acceptable, but damage to a device, including stickers, will result in charges. If a Chromebook is covered by the district’s Chromebook Insurance Plan, damages on the returned Chromebook will be covered according to plan details. If a Chromebook is not returned, fees related to replacement of the device will be charged. If a power charger is not returned, a fee will be assessed as power chargers are not covered under the protection plan.