Welcome to Tech Orientation 2024-2025!

Technology Responsible Use Policy

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The Responsible Use Policy (RUP) is the set of RULES you are expected to follow when you are either using AA equipment, the AA network, or AA online resources (like email or Canvas). You are also expected to represent our community in a positive way on all social media, whether it's tied to your AA account or not.
play icon indicates a video resource Watch the video for an explanation of the written rules (19:06)
book indicates a written resource Read the AA Technology Responsible Use Policy
  • Wait a couple of seconds for the page to fully load, and this link should take you straight to the correct section of the handbook.
book indicates a written resource Read the Simplified AA Technology Responsible Use Policy
  • This is the version we'll be using in TechApps. It has removed some of the more difficult language and combined rules that apply to the same behaviors.

Email

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Outlook 365, the AA email site, is one place you'll communicate with others. It's the best way to get in touch with your teachers outside of class. As long as you are following the Responsible Use Policy's rules, you may email your family and friends (from AA or not).
play icon indicates a video resource Watch the Email Orientation video (22:11)
OR
book indicates a written resource Read the Email Orientation Help Sheet

Canvas

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Canvas is where you'll find all of your classwork. Every class has its own little corner of Canvas. Each teacher designs their own course, so every Canvas class will be a little different (just like classes in person!). You'll get to know them all pretty quickly.

NOTE: Your Canvas account will take a little longer to get set up than your other accounts. Once you can sign in, you won't see your Courses until the first day of school.

play icon indicates a video resource Watch the video (15:58)
OR
book indicates a written resource Read the Canvas Orientation Help Sheet
play icon indicates a video resource How to Customize Your Canvas Dashboard (if you're using the Card View of your courses - 2:21)
book indicates a written resource Canvas Student Guide (every last detail about using Canvas, as written by Canvas)

Google Drive

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Google Drive is where you'll do lots of work for class. Google Drive is the cloud storage for files you create in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and more. You may be collaborating on projects with your classmates through different features of Google Drive.
play icon indicates a video resource Watch the video (5:41)
OR
book indicates a written resource Read the Google Drive Orientation Help Sheet

Chromebooks

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This year, you will be issued a Chromebook to use throughout the school day. Each morning you'll pick your Chromebook up from your family head's room before class, and each afternoon you'll bring the Chromebook back and plug it in to charge overnight. You are responsible for this device, so take good care of it!
play icon indicates a video resource Watch the video (12:17)
OR
book indicates a written resource Read the Chromebook Orientation Help Sheet
play icon indicates a video resource Chromebook Touchpad Gestures - learn how to use one, two, and three-finger gestures for the touchpad!
book indicates a written resource Chromebook Keyboard Shortcuts - for anyone who wants to be super-speedy!
book indicates a written resource Using the Spanish Keyboard - for anyone studying Spanish and using a Chromebook, so, all of you!
book indicates a written resource Keep Yourself Organized by Using Tab Groups
book indicates a written resource Keep Yourself Organized by Using Virtual Desks

Code Editors

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You will use a code editor to write your website code for TechApps. Code editors don't need to be fancy, but it is easier to spot errors if they color-code for you. So, while you can code in plain text editors like Notepad (which is built-in to Windows), it gets tricky when your code gets complex.

  • OPEN YOUR CODE EDITOR
    • Code editors are apps like CodePad or VS Code
    • Click "Download a Code Editor" at the bottom of this page if you don't have one installed yet
  • SET UP YOUR FILES
    • IMPORTANT: only do this once per computer - not every time you need to code at home
    1. File > New file (for CodePad, +New > HTML5)
    2. File > Save as (for CodePad, File > Save)
    3. Pick a spot to save your file and name it index.html
    4. For each additional file on your site, repeat steps 1 - 3. The file names need to match the file names you used at school (page2.html, learn,html, about.html... this was up to you!).
    5. File > New file (for CodePad, +New > CSS3)
    6. File > Save as
    7. Still be in the same folder, and name this one style.css
  • GET YOUR CODE
    • Go to Canvas and open the most recent coding assignment you turned in.
    • Copy and paste the code out of each attempt into the correct files in your code editor.
      • Replace all of the code in each file with the code you've copied out of Canvas.
      • The menu to see different attempts is at the top left of the assignment page.
  • DO YOUR CODING
  • BACK UP YOUR NEW WORK!
    • When you've finished coding, be sure to re-submit your newest code to Canvas so you have access to it at school!
    • At school, follow the "Get Your Code" directions.
web resource CODEPAD TEXT EDITOR - For Chromebooks
Click here to download and install the app.
web resource VISUAL STUDIO CODE (VS Code) - For Mac and Windows computers
Click to download
Click to download
Click to download
web resource IF NOTHING ELSE WORKS
Click to download - This is a Chrome Extension, so you need to be in Google Chrome to install it.