Hybrid
Technical Set-up
TROUBLESHOOTING
Changing Your Password: Login to IDM
IDM, Identify Management, is a self-service option to change your own PGCPS password. You must first login with your old password and register by selecting security questions and answers.
Authenticating to the PGCPS Network after an Extended Absence: Technical Support may be needed. Contact the Help Desk at help.pgcps.org or (301) 386-1549.
If you are unable to login to your computer at a PGCPS location and your password is correct or been changed recently, your computer may no longer be able to connect to the PGCPS Network. You may try connecting your computer to the wall with an ethernet cable and logging in before reaching out for technical support.
Connecting to PRIVATE WiFi: Chromebook | Macbook | Windows
"PRIVATE" is the WifI network to connect to when in a PGCPS location.
Browsing on Google Chrome: Installing CKRoot Certificate
The CKRoot (Content Keeper) Certificate must be installed on devices in order to access content from Google - Google Chrome, Classroom. If an error is received instead of connecting to a website, CKRoot must be installed.
For troubleshooting and support for students and families, view bit.ly/dlparentresources.
WHAT EQUIPMENT EXISTS IN MY ROOM AND HOW DO I SET IT UP?
Laptop
Equipment Needed
Teacher's Laptop
Cables
Directions for Basic Set-Up
(click "v" to view more)Connect the laptop to its power source and turn it on.
Open your Zoom or Google Meet where all students - In Person and Virtual - are connected.
Share your lesson and all student resources via Zoom or Google Meet with all students.
NOTE: In Person students should remain muted to prevent audio feedback. Only one mic should be open in the class at all times.
Teacher connects lesson to In Person and Virtual students via Zoom or Meet on their laptop.
In Person Students see the teacher’s lesson projected through Zoom or Meet or on the teacher's laptop screen.
Virtual Students see teacher’s lesson projected through Zoom or Meet.
Basic Instructional Set-up
Laptop, Projector, and Screen
Equipment Needed
Teacher's Laptop
Projector
Projection Screen
Cables
Directions for Basic Set-up
(click "v" to view more)Connect the laptop to the projector first. Use a dongle, if needed.
Position the laptop so the camera is facing the screen where content will be projected.
This will allow the In Person and Virtual students to see the content. The content could be the Virtual students, teacher’s presentation or both. Teachers may extend the display to see Virtual Students on one screen and the presentation on the other.
Plug the projector into the outlet.
Turn on the projector, then the laptop.
Ensure In Person students are positioned to be able to also see the projection screen.
Teacher will start Zoom/Meet.
NOTE: Virtual students ONLY join the Zoom/Meet meeting using the link shared by the teacher via Google Classroom. If all students are connected in Zoom/Meet, In Person students should remain muted to prevent audio feedback. Only one mic should be open in the class at all times.
Teacher projects the lesson and/or Virtual Students on the screen. Teacher may extend the display to see Virtual students on one screen and the lesson on the other.
In Person Students students see the teacher’s lesson on a screen. Students may use collaborative digital tools to connect with Virtual students from their device.
Virtual Students see the teacher’s lesson projected through Zoom or Meet.
Laptop and Interactive flat panel
Equipment Needed
Teacher's Laptop
Interactive Flat Panel*
Cables
*Interactive Flat Panels include Boxlight, ViewSonic, and SMART boards where a projector is not needed. For help with connecting your specific board/panel, view our interactive whiteboard page.
Directions for Basic Set-up
(click "v" to view more)Connect the laptop to the flat panel display first. Depending on the device, a dongle may be needed.
Position the laptop so the camera is facing the flat panel display. This will allow the In Person and Virtual students to see the content.
This will allow the In Person and Virtual students to see the content. The content could be the Virtual students, teacher’s presentation or both. Teachers may extend the display to see Virtual Students on one screen and the presentation on the other.
Turn on the flat panel display, then the laptop.
Adjust audio settings on the flat panel display and the computer/Zoom to allow audio to come through the flat panel.
Teacher will start Zoom/Meet.
NOTE: Virtual students ONLY join the meeting using the link shared by the teacher via Google Classroom. If all students are connected in Zoom/Meet, In Person students should remain muted to prevent audio feedback. Only one mic should be open in the class at all times.
Teacher projects the lesson to students on the screen. Teacher must extend the display to see Virtual students.
In Person Students students see the teacher’s lesson on a screen in the classroom or on their device.
Virtual Students see the teacher’s lesson projected through Zoom or Meet.
Additional Considerations
Additional equipment mentioned is supplemental and may not be available nor needed in your classroom. Suggestions are provided to maximize audio, teacher's visibility, or overall experience.
Additional Display
An additional display may include: second monitor, second device, screen, paper on a wall, dry erase board, a panel where no projector is needed, or even a tablet/phone.
Teacher projects the lesson to students from the laptop, while viewing the Virtual Students on the additional display. When using one laptop with two monitors, teachers must extend the display to see Virtual students on one screen and the teacher's presentation on the other.
Some teachers have found that using a tablet/phone increases the teacher's ability to move away from their laptop. Be mindful of social distancing.
Document cameras allow teachers to show a resource, like a book, an experiment or manipulatives, from their flat surface to a display. There are multiple models in use throughout the district, such as ELMO, SMART, Epson, Lumens, iPevo, or Dell brands. Set-up will depend on the type of document camera available.
Some teachers have been very creative in using existing items to create document cameras:
Use Zoom with a Phone - Ms. Loni Zietz, Kettering Elementary
Use Airplay with an iPad - Ms. Sarah Bailey, Whitehall Elementary
Use a tablet with an Osmo - For preK teachers with Osmo
Microphone
A plug and play microphone connected to the teacher's laptop can amplify sound for Virtual Students. Some teachers have mentioned that using wireless headphones, lanyard or other wearable microphones amplify sound and increase mobility in the classroom. Do you have a karaoke microphone? Try it out!
When the Teacher and/or In Person students are talking in the classroom, it may be difficult for Virtual Students to hear the conversation unless sound is amplified. If all students are connected in Zoom or Meet, the internal speakers should remain muted to avoid audio feedback.
Speakers
When In Person students are not connected to Virtual students in Zoom or Meet, speakers connected to the teacher's laptop can help make hearing the Virtual students easier for students in class.
Headphones with Microphones
In Person students should use headphones with mics or earbuds to speak to and hear Virtual students; however, only one mic should be open in the classroom to avoid feedback. In Person students wearing headphones may have difficulty hearing the teacher unless listening through Zoom or Meet.
Use power strips from underutilized areas in your building or consider portable charging equipment to create charging stations for teachers and In Person students. Be mindful of overloading circuits within your building.
Empty chromebook carts may serve as power stations; however, plan for managing power cables and the safe location of chromebook carts.
Encourage In Person students to bring fully charged devices to school. If charging is needed throughout the day, build time and social distancing into the schedule to recharge devices.
A USB plug and play webcam could be used to widen the view of the teacher’s station for Virtual students and improve audio. The installed webcam and a plug and play webcam may not work simultaneously. The teacher must choose the correct camera for their projected image.
The camera can be angled on In Person students so Virtual students can see their classmates. Students' faces and voices may not be recorded. Be mindful of students' whose families have opted-out of the use of videorecording tools for assignments.
Multiport Adaptor
Choosing a multiport adaptor that works with the teacher's laptop will increase the number of available ports when setting up additional connected devices. Multiple connections will also increase the number of cables to manage, time and technical ability needed for setup.