Tech Tips

Teachers will provide educational materials rooted in the Ontario curriculum while students are learning at home. Your child’s educator(s) will do their best to provide detailed instructions and technical support when it is necessary to complete teacher-given tasks. However, we also provide multiple methods of support on this page.

As a parent, you may have concerns about helping your child understand their school work. Don’t forget: learning can happen in many ways! Creating an environment where learning is encouraged, explored, and reflected upon is what’s most important for every home.

Using Your WCDSB Device

Take-Home Device Support

Please call the device support number below for issues like connecting to the internet or hardware issues with WCDSB-owned devices.  Hours of support are 8AM to 4PM  Monday to Friday.

519-578-3677 Ext:2316

Using Your Chromebook:

If a learning device/Chromebook was requested – you will receive a call about completing a contract agreement and you will be notified of an appointment for pick up.

Please see our Chromebook Quick Start Guide with tips on how to use your Chromebook and some FAQs.

Find Chromebooks we recommend and read more about our Bring Your Own Device and Purchase Program

Using Your iPad:

Please see our iPad Quick Start Guide with tips on how to use your iPad.

Using Your Laptop:

Please see our Laptop Quick Start Guide with tips on how to use your laptop.

Access to Student Apps

Students can go to wcdsb.ca/students and log on using their username (student ID number, followed by the first 3 letters of their last name, followed by @wcdsb.ca – 55555abc@wcdsb.ca) and password. If students are having trouble logging on, please contact their teacher who will place an IT HelpDesk ticket on their behalf.

Student Online Learning Platforms

D2L

  1. Go to wcdsb.ca/students
  2. Click on My Applications
  3. Log in using your WCDSB usual student login and password
  4. Click on D2L for single sign-on

Google Classroom

  1. Go to wcdsb.ca/students
  2. Click on My Applications
  3. Log in using your WCDSB usual student login and password
  4. Click on Google Apps
  5. Once Google Drive is open, click on the waffle (9 dots in tic-tac-toe shape) in the upper right corner 
  6. Click on Google Classroom icon (labelled “Classroom”)
  7. Click on the Classroom indicated by your child’s teacher

Using Multiple Computers on Same computer?

How to Login to D2L and Google Classroom – Print Version

Parent access to their child’s online learning platforms:

Please note that some teachers may be using online platforms in different ways. This may affect a teacher’s communication with families. It may be done online using the platforms mentioned below, over the phone, or a combination of methods. Please refer to your child’s teacher for more direction.

For support using D2L as a parent, .

For support understanding Google Guardian (how parents receive info on Google Classroom from their teachers), click here.

Virtual Learning Commons (VLC)

Students have access to a variety of online content through our WCDSB VLC. Through the VLC, students can access books, research topics, watch videos, and more.

Some of the content on the VLC connects to other apps, which may require a login. That login information is on the homepage of the VLC site – it will open a Google Doc that can only be seen if students are logged in with their WCDSB account.

Internet and Device Programs for Low Income Families:

Free learning device/computer offerings for low income families:

Connected Internet for Low Income Families:

This is a federal program that offers low cost Internet and wireless to low income families:  https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/111.nsf/eng/h_00002.html

It offers Internet connectivity for $9.99 plus tax with no additional installation cost.

The Federal Government sent out the letters to Families that qualified a few months ago https://www.connecting-families.ca/welcome

Identified Families should have documentation from the government with an identification code.

Virtual Code of Conduct

Green and Red Apps

You may wonder why WCDSB uses one digital application over another.  WCDSB has a policy on data tools and what it calls green and red sites/ apps.  

Green Sites

These sites and apps are under contract and managed by the Waterloo District Catholic School Board and/or the Ministry of Education. Inappropriate activities (such as cyber bullying) can be viewed and managed in a Green Site. Student information (including full student names and assessment data) is safe and secured in the appropriate systems. However, using a Green Site does not take away everyone’s responsibility to maintain personal levels of security over access to your materials and passwords. Green Sites include Google Apps for Education, Desire 2 Learn, Office 365, Edge 4, Career Cruising, Synrevoice, and Compass for Success. For additional information on Green sites, refer to the Guidelines for Using Online Educational Tools (Third Party Apps) (APS017-CX: Appendix C).

Red Sites

These sites and apps are not monitored or under contract with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board and/or the Ministry of Education. Because Red Sites are privately owned and operated, the WCDSB cannot guarantee the same level of security as with a Green Site. Staff need to take further precautions when using Red Sites. Inappropriate activities (such as cyber bullying) are difficult to view and manage on a Red Site. For additional information on Red sites, refer to the Guidelines for Using Online Educational Tools (Third Party Apps)(APS017-CX: Appendix C).

Teachers may require parental consent for student use of a Red Site. This information is taken from the WCDSB Administrative Memorandum APS017 Responsible Use of Information Technology and Educational Data.  For more information please see the link.

Safeguarding Your Internet

While at school there is significant filtering and safeguarding related to student access to particular websites and resources. At home parents may want to add school accounts to a safeguarding service of their choice. WCDSB does not endorse or recommend any particular parental control product as some may or may not work with WCDSB accounts. Instead, WCDSB recommends contacting your internet service provider and/or checking router settings for parental control options.