Microphones

If you are experiencing challenges with your mic, often it is associated with a few common issues.  Steps for solving these common issues are included in this section.

Allow Your Application to Access the Microphone: 
1. Select Start > Select Settings > Privacy > Microphone
2. Select Change > Turn on Allow Apps to Access Your Mic
3. Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access these features under "Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone"
4. Give access to non-Microsoft Store desktop apps by ensuring the switch beneath Allow desktop apps to access your microphone is set to On

Others Can't Hear Me:
1. If your headset has a mute button, make sure it isn't active
2. Make sure that your microphone or headset is connected correctly to your computer
3. Make sure that your mic or headset is the system default recording device
    a. Select Start > then select Settings > System > Sound
    b. In Input, ensure your microphone is selected in Choose your input device
    c.  To test your microphone, speak into it and check Test your microphone 

The Volume is Too Low:
1. Make sure the mic or headset is connected correctly to your computer
2. Make sure the mic is positioned correctly
3. Increase the volume of your mic
    a. Select Start > select Settings > System > Sound
    b. In Input, ensure your mic is selected under Choose your input device, select Properties.
    c. On the Levels tab, adjust the Microphone and Microphone Boost sliders as needed
    d. Speak into your microphone while under Test Your Microphone to check your settings.

How to Install and Test a New Microphone:
1. Make sure your microphone is connected to your PC
2. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound
3. In Sound, go to Input > Choose your input device and select the microphone or recording device you want to use

How to Test an Already Installed Microphone:
1. Make sure your microphone is connected to your PC
2. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound
3. In Sound settings, go to Input > Test your microphone and look for the blue bar that rises and falls as you speak into your microphone. 
4. If the bar is moving, your microphone is working.  If not, select Troubleshoot to fix.

Human IT is available to assist you with these issues, if these tips do not assist you with your microphone issues visit help4cf.org

Cameras

Your Connected Futures Laptop comes standard with two cameras, a front-facing, and a rear-facing camera.  The rear-facing camera shows everything in front of your computer and the front-facing shows you.  By default, when a student joins their Microsoft Teams meeting for class instruction, the rear-facing camera is activated.  To have the best meeting experience where participants are able to see you (the student), it is recommended that the front-facing camera is utilized.  This quick reference guide will walk you through how to select the appropriate camera for your class meetings.

Backgrounds

Though teachers are encouraged to take attendance during live instruction, parents have shared concerns about students having their cameras on. One way to ensure the privacy of your home environment is to change your student's background. Here's how: 

Keyboards

For proper removal and reconnection of the keyboard from the tablet, press the keyboard release button when the tablet is open.  This will allow the keyboard to release from the tablet.   To reconnect the tablet to the keyboard, press the tablet back on to the keyboard connecter which will then make the device operate as a laptop. Please refrain from closing the device with the keyboard attached.  Doing so will result in damage to the keyboard.  Keyboard repairs cost $40.