Device Care & Use

This page contains content linked to a BCPS Google Drive. Teachers must be logged into their BCPS Google account when accessing any linked G Suite resources for use with students and for any BCPS related work.

Please reference Setting Up Users in Google Chrome for support in logging into your BCPS Google Account.

Many students in Baltimore County Public Schools, Kindergarten through grade 12, use Chromebooks or Windows-based devices to access digital content and resources. All BCPS teachers and students have access to the Google Chrome browser regardless of the device they have been issued. The links and resources below can be used to support the care and use of Chromebooks or Windows devices in the classroom. Google also provides a variety of Chromebook support resources for users on the Chromebook Help site. This site provides a search option to assist users with locating the appropriate support.

These resources in addition to the Chromebook Simulator can useful for teachers and students to build knowledge and fluency with the Chromebook and the Chrome OS.

To see a user comparison in basic functionality between Chromebooks and BCPS Windows Devices, you can view the Chromebook and Windows Device Quick Tips & Tricks resource.

All resources on this page have been updated for the 22-23 school year.

Elementary Chromebook Resources

These Device Care and Use resources have been created to help teachers and students develop and implement routines and procedures when using the Chromebooks to support learning. They are intended to be used in the first weeks of school as teachers and students begin to develop and practice classroom rules and routines. Although suggested time frames are provided, teachers can choose how to use the lesson resources and accompanying activities to best meet the needs of their students.

Lesson resources are shared below or you can explore the Device Care & Use Lesson Overview to learn more. All videos can also be accessed and shared with students in the Elementary Device Care & Use Channel in Microsoft Stream.

Lesson 1 - Device Care & Respect for Elementary Students

This lesson and video explains to elementary students grades K-5 how to care for their BCPS issued Chromebook.

Lesson Plan & Resources

Lesson 2 - Power On & Log In

This lesson & video explains to elementary students how to log in to and navigate through the different features of their Chromebook.

Lesson Plan & Resources

Lesson 3 (Part I) - Getting to Know Your Chromebook

This lesson and video guides elementary students through learning about the Chromebook touchpad and touchscreen.

Lesson Plan & Resources

Chromebook Browser Keys & Shortcuts

Lesson 3 (Part II) - Getting to Know Your Chromebook

This lesson and slide deck guides elementary students through learning the Chromebook browser keys and shortcuts.

Lesson Plan & Resources

Lesson 4 (Optional) - Customizing Your Device

This lesson and video explains to elementary students how they can customize their Chromebook by organizing apps and bookmarks for easier access.

Lesson Plan & Resources

Taking Care of Your BCPS Device Poster.pdf

Secondary Chromebook Resources

These Device Care and Use resources have been created to help teachers and students in grades 6-12 develop and implement routines and procedures when using the Chromebooks to support learning. They are intended to be used in the first weeks of school to support teachers and students as they familiarize themselves with using a Chromebook. School principals will determine how their school will showcase the videos to students.

Each video explains how to perform a different task when using the Chromebook. Teachers should play the videos and pause when appropriate to allow students time to practice. The Chromebook Task resource provides suggested student practice activities for each video.

BCPS Device Care & Use Video Series

  • Device Care and Respect (3:53)

  • Chromebook Functionality- Keyboard, Touchpad, and Screenshots (5:52)

  • Chromebook Functionality- Chrome Terminology, Finding Google Drive, and Bookmarking (3:26)

  • Chromebook Functionality- Log on and Shut down, Shelf & App Launcher, and BCPS Apps Portal (5:59)

BCPS Google Drive Overview for Students Video Series

  • Google Drive Overview for Students- Google Drive Overview, Access, and Dashboard (4:32)

  • Google Drive Overview for Students- Creating, Uploading, and Managing Folders & Files (3:56)

  • Google Drive Overview for Students- Sharing Files and Force a Copy Linking (5:37)

Additional videos are provided to explain how to open and manage Microsoft files when using a Chromebook.

  • Using Microsoft Files on a Chromebook with OneDrive (2:12)

  • Using Microsoft Files on a Chromebook with Google Drive (2:38)

BCPS Device Care & Use Video Series

Device Care and Respect Video for Secondary Students

This video explains to secondary students grades 6-8 how to care for their BCPS issued Chromebook.

Taking Care of Your BCPS Device Poster

Chromebook Functionality- Keyboard, Touchpad, and Screenshots

This video explains the functionality of the touchpad, keyboard, and screenshot function on the Chromebook.

Chromebook and Windows Device Quick Tips & Tricks

Chromebook Functionality- Chrome Terminology, Finding Google Drive, and Bookmarking

This video explains the terminology used in the Chrome browser, how students find their Google Drive, and how to bookmark frequently used websites.

Chromebook Functionality- Log On, Log Off, Shelf & App Launcher, and BCPS Apps Portal

This video explains how the Chromebook works, how to log on and shut down, how to access the shelf and app launcher, and how to access the BCPS apps portal.

BCPS Google Drive Overview for Students Video Series

Google Drive Overview for Students- Google Drive Overview, Access, and Dashboard

This is the first of a three part video series for Baltimore County Public School students to learn how to manage their BCPS Google Drive.

Google Drive Overview for Students- Creating, Uploading, and Managing Folders & Files

This is the second of a three part video series for Baltimore County Public School students to learn how to manage their BCPS Google Drive.


Google Drive Overview for Students- Sharing Files and Force a Copy Linking

This is the third of a three part video series for Baltimore County Public School students to learn how to manage their BCPS Google Drive.


Additional Student Reference Material

Chromebook- Using Microsoft Files with OneDrive

This video shows Chromebook users how to open Microsoft files and save them to a Microsoft OneDrive.

Chromebook- Using Microsoft Files with Google Drive

This video shows Chromebook users how to open Microsoft files and save them to a Google Drive.

Secondary Windows 10 Device Resources

Although all K-12 students in BCPS will be issued a Chromebook, some specific courses may require Windows based software. Students enrolled in these specialized courses may be accessing some course content on a Windows device. The resources below have been created to support teachers and students who may be using Windows 10 as the operating system on their BCPS issued device.

Getting to Know Your BCPS Windows Device


Personalizing Your BCPS Windows 10 Device


Troubleshooting Tips for you BCPS Windows 10 Device