Virtual Learning Environment

The Virtual Learning Environment
Accessing Devices For Remote Learning

Please know there are many ways that families can use devices they have access to to access virtual environments.  Below is a quick guide to how you can use devices you may already have to access learning resources and classrooms.


1) CELL PHONES AND TABLETS:


The following apps are available in both the App Store and the Google Play store to support our existing online virtual environments


Google Suite - each one of these apps needs to be separately downloaded but all of these are accessed via existing student login information.  These apps allow for access to google classroom and all viewing and editing tools needed to complete work.  Simply download and sign in with your student email account and password.

  • Google Classroom

  • Google Documents

  • Google Slides

  • Google Drive

  • Google Sheets

  • Google Meets


Brightspace - Brightspace/D2L offers a mobile solution for phones and tablets.  While Brightspace can still be accessed in a web browser this app lets students access the teachers activity feed, discussion boards and the course content as well as calendar events and notifications. Again you access this information with your student login information and password.

  • Pulse 

2) GAMING SYSTEMS:


Most every gaming system has a web browser feature.  The great thing about the Google Suites and Brightspace is that they are web based and can be accessed with any basic web browser functionality.  Most gaming systems can also be equipped with a wireless keyboard or a standard keyboard if they have available usb ports. 


To access Google Classroom complete the following steps:

  1. Open the web browser and type in classroom.google.com in the URL bar.

  2. A prompt for a Google account will appear.

  3. Type in your student email and password – it doesn’t end in google.com and that is ok!

  4. The Classroom home screen will open up.

  5. Follow the same procedure for 

    1. Doc.google.com

      1. Use the icon in the top left corner to switch between sides, documents,sheets and forms.


To access Brightspace on your gaming console complete the following steps:

  1. Open the web browser and type in https://smcdsb.elearningontario.ca/ in the URL bar.

  2. A prompt to sign in will appear

  3. Type in your student email and password.

  4. Use the icon at the top to locate your courses.



A reminder that schools have a limited number of devices that may be available to support families in need. It is important for families to know that the Ministry of Education has not provided schools with devices to support families with remote learning. We are respectfully asking that you access your available devices for learning so that we can ensure that every student has access to virtual learning environments. 




Accessing Student Connect


If your child's teacher is using the Board's Student Connect (Brightspace) to deliver the program virtually, the easiest way of logging on to Student Connect is to go to the School Board's website at https://www.smcdsb.on.ca/.  Access is located on the top tool bar on the right side of the page. 


Logging on to Student Connect

Logging on to Student Connect will require your child's email address, which is their student ID followed by @smcdsb.on.ca.


Google Authorization

Prior to commencing on course assignments, it is important that you authorize your Google account in Student Connect.  This allows you to access your Google drive to select a document during the assignment submission process.  When you sign in for the first time, you must authorize your Google account with Google and accept the integration before you can use it. This also confirms that your account is linked correctly. In the Access Google Apps or Google Apps widget, enter your Google Apps password (if necessary), click Authorize, and then follow the prompts.  

Submitting Assignments

Each teacher may have a slightly different way of collecting student assignments for assessment.  Teachers will clearly explain the process they would like to use for their class.