<!-- Technical Support-->
We have assembled the following technical support questions to help troubleshoot potential roadblocks with accessing and implementing PLT’s E-Units. The questions outlined below relate to potential issues experienced with Internet Browsers, Student Pages, Carbon & Climate Quizzes, and Google Classroom.
Why am I having problems accessing my PLT E-Unit(s)?
We recommend that you check a few things on your computer to make sure it is optimized for PLT’s e-unit website. While the E-Unit platform supports all internet browsers, PLT recommends using Google Chrome for the best user experience. While the E-Units do not mandate the use of any particular browser, please know that your experience could vary depending on your selection. This checklist can also be used as a Troubleshooting Guide.
- Ensure proper internet access and reliability
- Use an up-to-date Internet Browser – Verify that you are using the most up-to-date version of your internet browser for optimum performance (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.). Use a free website such as https://updatemybrowser.org/ to verify your browser version, and update it accordingly.
- Disable pop-up blocker – Conduct a quick internet search for instructions on how to disable pop-up blockers on your browser of choice.
- Enable JavaScript – Conduct a quick internet search for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser of choice.
What are the options for sharing PLT’s Student Pages with my students?
There are many options for sharing PLT’s E-Unit Student Pages. They include:
- Google Documents (Google Docs)
- Cloud-based file hosting service (Dropbox or similar)
- File sharing (Shared offline folders or similar)
- Digital learning platforms (Google Classroom or similar)
Please remember that when using file sharing and file hosting services to share Student Pages with your students, the Pages should be downloaded from PLT’s E-Unit platform and uploaded to your chosen file sharing platform. When uploading these document links can then be made “sharable” for student distribution.
What are some options for digitally collecting the completed Student Pages?
Upon individual completion, there are many options for digitally collecting students’ work. They include:
- Cloud-based file hosting service (Drobox or similar)
- File sharing (Shared offline folders or similar)
- Digital learning platforms (Google Classroom or similar)
Why am I having trouble opening the Student Pages as fillable PDFs?
In multiple field trials, Firefox is the only browser that proves troublesome with PLT’s fillable Student Page PDFs. This is because the Firefox browser requires an extension to fill the form fields. PLT would first recommend that you use a different browser, such as Google Chrome. If your unique situation mandates the use of Firefox, try the following:
- Download and save the Student Page to your computer, and open it using a PDF viewer (such as Adobe), to fill the document.
- If you are unable to download the Student Page files, you can install a free Firefox extension that will allow you to fill fields in the PDF online. PDFescape Extension is a suitable extension, but there are also many others.
At this time, the Quizzes remain a feature of the Carbon & Climate (Gr 6-8) unit only.
How can the quizzes found in PLT’s Carbon & Climate E-Unit (Gr 6-8) be shared with students?
Quizzes work best if students (and teachers!) access them via a desktop or laptop computer. These short, case-sensitive links can be shared with students for easy and immediate access:
Title of Lesson
Quiz Short Link (case-sensitive)
Activity 1
What is Climate?
http://bit.ly/WhatIsClimate
Activity 2
The Carbon Cycle
http://bit.ly/TheCarbonCycle
Activity 3
Is It Only Natural?
http://bit.ly/IsItOnlyNatural
Activity 4
Climate Time Machine
http://bit.ly/ClimateTimeMachine
Activity 5
Are You a Bigfoot?
http://bit.ly/AreYouABigfoot
At this time, the Quizzes remain a feature of the Carbon & Climate (Gr 6-8) unit only.
Can smartphones or tablets be used to access the Carbon & Climate quizzes?
The short answer is: Yes! Users will, however, need to follow these short steps to access the quiz content on a smart phone or tablet:
PLT highly recommends using Google Chrome as your internet browser when using Google Classroom. To add an “assignment” (or PLT Student Page) to your Google Classroom, follow the steps below: To have your students complete the Student Pages as Google Slides, access the Google Slide PLT Student Pages under the Activity Tools Tab, categorized with Additional Resources. To have your students edit the PDFs online, students will need a PDF Editor Plugin like Kami, in order to edit and turn in the digital PDF. To have your students print or download the Student Pages, you can add PLT’s Student Page PDFs as assignments for students to print.
Are the fillable Student Pages compatible with Google Classroom?
Yes, Student Pages from PLT’s E-Unit platform can be added to Google Classroom as “assignments.” You can use the PLT’s Student Page Google Slide Templates to create editable files for students or you can have students install a PDF Editor Extension to edit the fillable PDF Student Pages.
To complete and submit assignments within the Google Classroom Platform, a free extension must be installed. One such extension is called Kami, but there are many other options. Students will need to install this extension to their Google Chrome accounts in order to proceed: Materials can be assigned or shared using the Google Classroom platform and have students complete their work elsewhere. For example, students might choose to either physically print the assignment, turning in a hardcopy, or download the assignment and re-upload it for submission. To physically print the assignment and turn in a hardcopy: To download and re-upload an assignment for submission:
In Google Classroom, how do my students access their “assignments” (PLT Student Pages)?
You can “assign” student worksheets using Google Slides or the PDF (with a PDF Editor Extension). After worksheets are uploaded and “assigned,” students will be able to complete and submit their assignments though Google Classroom. Alternatively, students can also print and submit a paper copy. PLT highly recommends using Google Chrome as your internet browser when using Google Classroom.
Option 1: Students complete assignments using Google Slides Student Page Templates within Google Classroom:
Student Instructions:
Option 2: Students complete assignments *within* Google Classroom platform:
Student Instructions:
Option 3: Students complete assignments *outside of* Google Classroom platform:
What are the details of Project Learning Tree’s Privacy Policy?
For your convenience, a link to our Privacy Policy is reproduced at the bottom of every webpage. Project Learning Tree is committed to ensuring the privacy of the personal information it obtains from individuals participating in its programs. The intent of this policy is to demonstrate our commitment to your privacy and to disclose the privacy practices of the PLT program, the www.plt.org website, and to information obtained from participants in the PLT program.
What do I do if I’m interested in reprinting or adapting parts of this PLT curriculum?
Please remember that all PLT curriculum materials are protected under copyright law. We encourage you to reproduce responsibly, and consult our written Reprint and Adaptation Policy. All PDF downloads from the e-unit Tools pages are copyright-free, and suitable for printing and sharing.
Contact Us
If you have questions, comments, or feedback regarding this unit or the website, please contact us at [email protected].