Google Chromebooks
This site is designed to help teachers, students, & parents learn about some of the essential characteristics of the Google Chrome OS (operating system) and Chromebooks.
Chromebook Simulator
To learn more about your Chromebook, try the interactive Chromebook Simulator. Try the interactive simulator to learn about the Chromebook's touchpad.
Learn the following Skills: Drag & Drop, Click, Right Click, Scroll, Close a tab, Move between pages in Chrome, See all open windows, Open a link in a new tab, and Switch between tabs.
THE KEYBOARD - The Chromebook's keyboard has a slightly different layout as compared to traditional laptops and desktops.
THE TOUCHPAD - The multi-touch touchpad allows users to perform a variety of tasks. The Chromebook touchpad functions similar to traditional PC Laptop touchpads. It can also be customized in the Chromebook "Touchpad settings".
Trackpad Skills
There are a number of skills that you'll use to navigate the Chromebook. Some are the same as traditional laptops, and some are different.
Move the pointer - Move your finger across the touchpad.
Click - Press or tap the lower half of the touchpad.
Right-Click - Press or tap the touchpad with two fingers. You can also press Alt, then click with one finger.
Scroll - Place two fingers on the touchpad and move them up and down to scroll vertically, or left and right to scroll horizontally.
Move between pages - To go back to a page you were just on, swipe left with two fingers. To go forward to a page you were just on, swipe right with two fingers.
Right Click on Chromebook - two finger tap
See all open windows - To see all open windows, swipe up with three fingers. To close it, swipe down with three fingers.
Drag and drop - Using one finger, click and hold the item you want to move. Drag the item to its new spot, then release your finger.
Close a tab - Point to the tab, then tap or click the touchpad with three fingers.
Open a link in a new tab - Point to the link, then tap or click the touchpad with three fingers.
Switch between tabs - If you have multiple browser tabs open, swipe left or right with three fingers.
Open or close overview - To open overview, swipe up with three fingers. To close it, swipe down with three fingers.
Change How Your Touchpad Works
You can tap your touchpad to click, or change the direction you scroll. Here's how:
1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings Settings.
3. In the "Device" section, select Touchpad (or Touchpad and mouse).
4. Change how your touchpad works:
- Turn tap-to-click on or off.
- Turn on tap dragging.
- Turn touchpad acceleration on or off.
- Swap your primary mouse button, if you use a mouse.
- Adjust how quickly your pointer moves: Move the sliders next to "Touchpad speed" or "Mouse speed."
- Choose type of scrolling: Turn off Reverse (swipe up to move the page up). Turn on Reverse (swipe up to move the page down).
How to Quickly Switch Between Tabs
If you have multiple browser tabs open, swipe left or right with three fingers.
Please contact assistivetechnology@sd308.org with questions or to schedule a training for you or your student.
