New Staff Laptops–FAQs
October 14, 2014
Tags: Lenovo, Staff, Staff Laptop
We’ve received a number of questions from staff members with regards to the new staff laptop, the Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e. We’ve compiled them into this list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)–and answers! How will I know my computer from others? Like the previous MacBooks, and like other large organizations that deploy devices, all staff […]
WeVideo–Setting up a CCSD21.org Account
August 31, 2014
Tags: Chrome, Chrome Apps, Chromebook, Google Apps, WeVideo
Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, School District 21 has purchased licensing from WeVideo. There are a great many benefits to this. These include: collaborative video editing, additional features (like green screens), and the ability to export more video than on free accounts. At the same time, there is a limit to how many accounts […]
Organizing Your Google Drive
October 19, 2014
Tags: Chrome Apps, Google, Google Apps, Google Drive, Lenovo, Staff, Staff Laptop
As staff members move to the new Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e staff laptops, the only way to safely store and back-up files is in Google Drive. There, in addition to Google’s server infrastructure, School District 21 also has three additional services providing back-up and security for both our productivity as a school district as well […]
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga-Trackpad Settings
October 19, 2014
Tags: Lenovo, Staff, Staff Laptop, Trackpad
In addition to the great touchscreen on the Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e, when you are using the computer in regular “laptop” mode, you will want to consider customizing your trackpad settings to best meet your needs and preferences. First, be aware that by default, the Yoga 11e is set-up with a “two-button mouse”. The picture […]
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga-Connecting to WiFi
October 19, 2014
Tags: Lenovo, Staff, Staff Laptop, Wireless
The first time that you are on a new network with your Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e, it should find available wireless networks and ask you to connect, entering a password if necessary. Staff members who already have their laptops have had no issue with this. Nevertheless, listed below are directions for how one might connect […]
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga-Setting Up a Home Printer
October 19, 2014
Tags: Lenovo, Printing, Staff, Staff Laptop
Setting up a home printer on the Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e staff laptops running Windows 8.1 has proven to be incredibly easy when tested on both wired and wireless printers–even older models. It is important to note that there is wide variance in printer models and the drivers that are used on computers to actually […]
Boardmaker Online: Initial Registration
October 19, 2014
Tags: Assistive Technology, Boardmaker, Special Education
After asking for a number of years for a web-based solution, School District 21’s wishes were met in 2014 with the announcement of Boardmaker Online at the start of the 2014-2015 school year. With the move to new staff laptops, School District 21 is also excited to remove 1990s technology of required CDs for Boardmaker […]
Chrome App Launcher Organization
October 19, 2014
Tags: Chrome, Chrome Apps, Chromebook, Lenovo, Staff Laptop
With the deployment of Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e laptops to CCSD21 staff members, students (on their Chromebooks) and staff members all have access to the Chrome App Launcher (pictured below) across ChromeOS and Windows. Did you know that you can organize your ChromeOS apps in whatever way you’d like–including with the use of folders?
Windows Updates
November 2, 2014
Tags: Lenovo, Staff, Staff Laptop, Windows
Like our students with their Chromebooks, staff members are responsible for completing updates on their staff laptops when those updates are available. Updates on Windows staff laptops will prepare themselves in the background and will finish processing on either a shut down or a restart as pictured below. Typically, this is also how a staff […]
Writing in Other Languages
November 2, 2014
Tags: Chrome, Google Apps, Google Docs, Google Drawing, Google Drive, Google Slides, Lenovo, Staff, Staff Laptop, Windows
Living in a the small global community that exists in our world today requires most people to have proficiency in multiple languages and to be able to use devices across those languages. Previously, instructions have been provided regarding how to use Mac OS X in languages (Typing en Español and 1 Computer, Multiple Languages) other […]
Each District 21 school is named after an American author, and learning and literacy is at the center of our Professional Learning Community. The Modern Pen provides a collaborative location in which District 21 teachers can come together to learn the skills that will enable their students to learn new skills and to understand concepts at an even different level than before.
Preparing all students for success
