- Detroit Public Schools Community District
- Technology Division
- Connected Futures
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How to Get Connected | How to Troubleshoot Your Device
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is Connected Futures?
Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) along with the DTE Energy Foundation, Quicken Loans Community Fund, Skillman Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, General Motors and the Kellogg Foundation addressed a historical digital divide through the Connected Futures Project, by providing students with wireless tablets through a $23 million investment.
This initiative enabled approximately 51,000 students and families to receive wireless tablets and internet access for in-home use. These devices included six months of subsidized LTE data, immediately connecting students without wired internet connections at home, and are the property of the student and family.
This page provides valuable resources on everything from how to get connected, receive technical support, troubleshoot your device and get answers to your frequently asked questions.
How to Get Connected, Technical Support
Visit a Technology and Family Resource Hub
On December 1, 2020, the District opened Technology and Family Resources Hubs in 13 schools across the District. These Hubs will operate through January 30.
The Hubs provide direct resources to families and include device and general online learning support, Connected Futures exchanges and loaner laptop deployment. To receive support for your Connected Futures device or to receive a District loaner device, you may visit a District Hub during posted hours of operation.
You may also receive technical support on a Connected Futures device by texting "HELP4CF" to (562) 372-6925 or by completing the online form at help4cf.org. Be sure to review Human IT's Frequently Asked Questions page for guidance on hardware and software issues.
Online learning support is also available via our Homework Hotline.
Note: Connected Futures devices were provided as household resources and are owned by families. If you have damaged your Connected Futures device by cracking the screen or bending the connectors on your keyboard and you need it repaired, Human IT will work to coordinate low-cost repair options on cracked screens and damaged keyboards. Cracked screen repair is available for $50 and keyboard repair is available for $40. The District may provide loaner devices to families who have inoperable devices.
The District provided LTE data for each Connected Futures device, but these services will expire. If you are interested in establishing continued internet connectivity in your home or would like to improve your virtual learning experience by connecting to broadband internet service, text "Internet4CF" to (562) 372-6925 or complete the online form at internet4cf.org.
The District began deploying devices for the Connected Futures project in June of 2020 and concluded the first wave of deployments in September. If you are in need of a device to connect to virtual learning, you may visit one of our Technology and Family Resource Hubs during hours of operation.
Set Up Your Device
Take a look at the Connected Futures Setup Tutorial Video for instructions on how to set up your device. After you set your device up, install Office 365 for Education to allow for flexibility between the use of the application and the cloud (online). Insructions for how to install Office 365 are available.
Access Your Student's Email Account
Please watch the Accessing Student Email Accounts video or go to the Microsoft Shortcuts section of Clever. If you are still unsure of how to access your child's email or don’t have a way to do so, please call the DPSCD service desk between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at 313-240-4377, or call your child's school.
How to Troubleshoot Your Device
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 OnOthers 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 microphoneThe 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 useHow 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
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.
BackgroundsThough 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:
KeyboardsFor 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Deployment Timeline
When will devices be available?
Devices are being manufactured now and will start arriving in Detroit in the month of June. Devices will be deployed in the months of June, July, and August as devices become available.
How will I know when and where to pick up my device?
- An eligibility email has been sent to your child’s DPSCD email account
- Take the survey for each child you’d like to participate
- You will get details for your pickup as soon as you take the survey
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Who is eligible?
Who is eligible to get a device, 6 months of data, and support services?
Any K-12 DPSCD student enrolled in the District during the Spring Membership Count (February 2020) is eligible to receive a device, LTE data for six months, and technical support. Eligible students will be pulled directly from the District's student information system. If all devices are not claimed by these students by next fall, the District will distribute devices to new students, pending availability.
Will there be one device available per eligible family or per eligible student?
There is one device available per eligible student.
How will I find out if my student can get a device?
The parent or legal guardian of each eligible student will receive a survey link in their child’s DPSCD email to confirm their interest, update their contact information, and commit to an agreement about the use of the device. Once complete, the parent or legal guardian will receive a confirmation and next steps for deployment this summer. Families who do not complete the survey will receive proactive follow up from school staff to ensure they are aware of the opportunity.
Can a school staff member or customer care representative tell me if my child is eligible?
After the participation survey is distributed, these staff will be able to tell you if your child is eligible, but not before that time. If you want to make sure to receive information, contact your school’s principal to ensure your contact phone number and email address (if you have one) is up to date, and that you are checking these regularly.
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Devices
Who will own the device?
The device will be the property of the student and his or her family. It will not be a managed or inventoried District asset, meaning that the family is responsible for its maintenance and care, and the District will not be able to replace lost or stolen devices. It also means it will not need to be returned.
What kind of device is it?
We are distributing a Windows-10 based tablet called an iView. The 10.1” touchscreen tablets have detachable keyboards, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and are enabled for LTE.
What happens down the road when this device gets old, or no longer works?
The District is partnering with the City of Detroit and a non-profit called human I-T to offer families access to refurbished devices they can purchase for low or no cost, depending on need. Part of the District’s commitment to this project is donating devices it is retiring so that they can be refurbished and provided to families in the future. There will not be another round of new at-scale device deployments after this initial set of devices has been distributed.
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Tech Support
Who will help me or my child to use our new device?
The District is partnering with a national non-profit called human-I-T to ensure families have technical support for their new devices. Students and families will be able to contact human-I-T for all their technical support needs on the device, their internet connection, and even Microsoft Office tools. Support is available by phone, email and text.
My technical issue is with the District’s online learning tools. How do I get help?
Our partners at human-I-T are families’ first stop for help, because they will have the knowledge to resolve most common issues. If they can’t help, they’ll quickly connect you to the right District team for help.
How can I contact human-I-T to discuss device and/or internet connectivity issues?
- Connectivity:
Text "INTERNET4CF" to 562-372-6925
Online form: human-i-t.org/internet4cf
- Technology/Device Support:
Text "HELP4CF" to 562-372-6925
Online form: help4cf.org
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Internet Connectivity
What happens when the six months of free data runs out?
As soon as you get your device, our partners at human-I-T are going to help you navigate to low-cost internet options that work for you and your family, like the Comcast Internet Essentials program. The human-I-T team is going to help you every step of the way so that you are set up with a sustainable internet connection well beyond the first six months.
Will there be data caps or throttles on the LTE?
We worked hard to identify a partner for LTE service that will be unlimited, and we are pleased to share that there will be an extremely high data cap on the first six months of LTE access.
If I want to keep a data plan after the first six months, can I?
As the owner of the device, families may choose to start their own data plan for the device on a compatible LTE network, or add the device to an existing data plan, at their discretion and expense.
My family is facing homelessness, or I am a student in foster care. A wired internet connection or paid data plan won’t work for me. Will I have options?
The District plans to extend LTE data plans for up to fifteen percent of its student body so that students facing housing insecurity or foster care can still access the internet, including online learning tools.
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Device Usage
What can the devices and internet connections be used for?
We are asking all recipients of devices to commit to using the device for online learning and student support, but we are also making clear that, as a family-owned device, we hope that the entire household will benefit from access. When not required for online learning, the device can be used for telemedicine, assistance applications, job searches and training, and other household activities that support the whole family.
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Getting Involved
I think this program is great. Can I donate my gently used device for this effort?
To ensure consistency across our students and schools, we will not be accepting individual technology donations for this effort. In the coming months, when human-I-T begins local operations in Detroit, they will be able to consider personal donations of devices, and we would encourage you to consider them. Until then, we would suggest that you work through local community organizations like church groups to identify people who might benefit from your generosity.
I’d like to contribute to this program financially. Is that possible?
Thank you for being interested in supporting DPSCD students and families. Please contact the DPS Foundation for ways you can offer your support by visiting http://www.dpsfdn.org/ or emailing communications@dpsfdn.org.
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Family Interest Survey
Where can I find the survey I need to take to participate?
An eligibility email is coming to your child’s DPSCD email account in June.
- Cody High School Students received their link on 6/1
- We are aiming to have all other students receive their links before 6/19
How do I access my child’s email account?
Families can access their child’s email account through the Clever portal.
- Customer Care staff can support families to access Clever using this guide on Detroitk12.org.
- Use the DPSCD Email link in the Microsoft Shortcut section (MS Outlook Icon).
Can I get a translation of the survey?
In the upper righthand corner of the survey, there is an option to translate the survey into each of the District’s core languages. If the family you are supporting does not speak one of the translated languages, please direct the family to Over the Phone translation services.
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Registration Email
How do I get the email that tells me how to pick up my child’s device?
Take the survey in each of your children’s DPSCD email account to get directions for picking up their device. This message will give you a date and time for pick up. After completing the survey, you will also receive a registration number to reference when picking up the device. We encourage you (parent/legal guardian) and/or your child to arrive and pick-up the device. If you are unable to pick-up the device on behalf of your child, then either your child can pick-up, or a trusted adult can accompany the child WITH a registration # and ID.
I got the registration email but the pick-up time will not work for me. What can I do?
If your child (and a trusted adult for younger students) is available for the pick-up time, and your child has his or her student ID and/or a copy of a recent utility bill in your name, they can pick up the device without you. Just be sure that they bring their ID/utility bill and their reservation email.
What do I need to bring with me to pick up my child’s device?
- Please bring a copy of the pick-up email message with you (on your phone or printed) to pick up the device. You will need to show it.
- If you have one, it will make your pick up go more quickly to bring a smartphone.
- Please bring a state ID, student ID, or utility bill to your pick up site and have it ready to show staff to verify your identity.
- Wear your masks.
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Pick-Up Procedures
Do I have to wear a mask when I pick up my device? Even if I am in my car?
Yes. Please help us protect your health and safety by following the Governor's order to wear masks in public. Even though you will be in your car, our staff and volunteers will be approaching your vehicle to support your pick up, and we want to keep everyone safe!
Will I be able to get help right away when I pick up my device?We are asking that you “grab and go” with your device to limit crowds and safety risks with COVID 19, but you will be able to get immediate help. Inside the box with your device is a quick start guide to walk you through set up, as well as a way to text for help if you encounter issues.
Resources
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FAQs - Arabic
Connected Futures Family Student FAQ - Updated 6.15.20 Arabic.pdf 1.1 MB (Last Modified on June 23, 2020) -
FAQs - English
Connected Futures Family and Student FAQ - Updated 6920.pdf 255.56 KB (Last Modified on January 25, 2021) -
FAQs - Spanish
Connected Futures Family Student FAQ - Updated 6.15.20 - Spanish.pdf 991.9 KB (Last Modified on June 23, 2020)