It’s not done like it was done pre-Covid.
First do this:
Download and install the DisplayLink App (for Mac*) (for Windows) on your laptop and run it at least once** on your laptop before using it in any classroom. You only need to do this download and install process once, not every time you go to a classroom.
* Mac: The most obvious "Download" button will only download software for Big Sur OS 11.0 and Catalina OS 10.15. If you don't have one of these OS installed, click on "Legacy Releases" to find the right Download. What OS do I have?
** "run it" - this means that once you've downloaded it, install it on your computer, and make sure you've launched the DisplayLink App (Mac) or .exe (Windows) once.
And then:
Unplug the classroom computer’s USB cable (marked in a blue color), then plug it into a USB port on your laptop.* Yes, that's right-- unplug it from the classroom computer, this is ok. When you've finished this process, your laptop should look like this (although you may have a power cord plugged in as well):
If your classroom has no classroom computer-- if it has a Meeting OWL (in a hyflex teaching scenario or online synchronous scenario), plug your laptop into it using the provided cable, OR if your classroom only has a wall-mounted display, plug into the HDMI cable that is there.
Your laptop's USB port type
The type of USB port to use on your laptop varies according to your computer type. They can look like this:
USB-C (found especially on recent Apple laptops). Note the oval shape of the port:
A USB to USB-C adapter is tethered to the cable should you need it.
USB-SS-- also known as USB 3.0, and pictured below on the right. USB-SS ports are sometimes blue. Found on many Dell and other Windows laptops)
Note that if you have blue AND black USB ports, you always want to use the blue USB-SS ports to connect to the classroom technology. The black, non USB-C ports may be used for thumb drives, hard drives, and other types of USB devices.
* Your laptop’s port needs to be USB 3.0 compatible. Most Whitman-issued laptops are compatible. If you want to know for sure, google “[your computer name (e.g. Macbook Air)] compatible with USB 3?” OR contact the Help Desk.