Tech Tip Tuesday: 3 Essential Chromebook Shortcuts
Dear WSD Colleagues,
Last Tech Tip of 2024! Winter Break is upon us! You're four quick days from a much deserved and well-earned break! As you work to control the chaos and wrap things up this week, we have three quick tips for you. If you haven't taken the time to really explore your Chromebook, there are a couple features under the hood that you need to check out. We've got you covered!
Let's get to it!
Tech Tip Tuesday: Essential Chromebook Shortcuts!
While there are a handful of different Chromebook models floating around throughout the district, regardless of model number or whether they are a teacher device or student device, the following shortcuts should work. Chromebooks have a handful of buttons unique to it—for example, the Search button (where Caps Lock is on any other keyboard) or any of the keys on the function row. If you're unfamiliar with any of the buttons, here's a quick cheat sheet! (If any of the following images are slow to load, simply right click them to open them in a new tab)
Shortcut 1: Screenshot / Screencast
Shortcut: CTRL + Shift + Window viewer
Teachers and students can take quick screenshots with their device that instantly copy to the clipboard allowing the user to rapidly paste them into whatever they are working on. This feature also allows users to record quick videos! Once launching the screenshot tool, check out the settings to enable a highlight to keystrokes or mouse clicks or enable your front camera and microphone. So helpful!
Shortcut 2: Clipboard Manager
Search (Caps Lock) + V
Sick of doing the copy and paste dance where you bounce between tabs to copy and paste information into a project? Try individually copying all of the information you will eventually need and then move into the desired tab and launch the clipboard manager to see a history of everything copied and paste the needed information by clicking the appropriate text.
Shortcut 3: Magnifier
CTRL + Shift + M
Pressing CTRL and +/- to change the screensize can be kinda helpful, but you have to try the magnifier! It helps preserve the resolution of your screen and truly make something easier to see! The magnifier can be zoomed in and out by pressing CTRL + Brightness Up/Down. When you're ready to head back to the standard view, simply do the magnifier shortcut again. How did we live without this??
Looking for More? Want to Set Your Own Shortcut?
This just scratches the surface of the cool shortcuts available on any Chrome device. If you need more, simply hit the Search button on your Chromebook, type in "Key Shortcuts," and select that option to view all of the available shortcuts on the device. Better yet, if you have a preferred way you would like to access a certain feature, you can even customize that action to respond to a unique shortcut that you provide (there are some exclusions, but most functions are customizable!).
Looking for help with any of these? Don't hesitate to reach out to your building's edtech coach(es), your Library Technology Specialists, or any of the Digital Teaching & Learning specialists listed below!
Bonus Tip: Keep an Eye on Your Email This Friday
Big news about Learn 25 is headed your way before you leave for the break. Keep an eye on your inbox.
Wrapping Up
We're thrilled to be wrapping up the year with all of you. The Digital Teaching & Learning Department wishes you the happiest of holidays. During this season of gratitude and giving, it's our hope that we are able to help make doing what you love easier. Don't hesitate to reach out to us with any of your training needs. Rest up! The end of the quarter is upon us when we return!
Never forget the difference you make and have a Happy Holidays.
Take care,
WSD Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
Monica Widdison, DT&L Specialist for Elementary Schools
Alan Rhees, DT&L Specialist for Elementary Schools
Jaymee Barrowes, DT&L Specialist for Secondary Schools
Blake Pope, DT&L Specialist for Secondary Schools
