GDS | Online Hopper FAQ

What is the GDS Online Hopper?
The Online Hopper is a web-based program for teachers and their students. Each teacher's classes are set up, and the students in that class are enrolled. A teacher can use the classroom space to post assignments, announcements, pictures, reminders, and many other items. The students can use the Online Hopper to transfer documents between home and school and can print the items that the teacher has posted.

How can I log on to the Online Hopper?
You can sign on to the Hopper at home or at school. You should use the same password and login name that you use at school when you work on the GDS Network. A link is available on the GDS web page on the student page and on the parent page. You can also reach the Online Hopper directly by typing http://hopper.gds.org. Note that there is no "www" in the address.

What will I see when I log on?
When you sign on to the Hopper you will see a welcome message. The program welcomes you by name. You will see announcements in the middle of the page, a list of your courses on the right, and some personal organizational tools on the left. If you click on one of the class links, you will be taken into the space where your teacher post information.

Will my parents want to look at the Online Hopper?
Yes, you should demonstrate the Hopper to your parents, and give them your password. Some of the posted announcements will be for parents, and one class, Family Tech Help, is for parents to use. It is in your list of classes.

Is the Hopper a substitute for the papers and assignments that my teachers hand out in class?
The Online Hopper is one tool to help you keep track of information. You also have your GDS assignment book and the materials that your teachers hand out in class. Make good use of all of them. That way if the computer that hosts the Hopper goes down or you lose a paper copy of an assignment, you will usually have a backup.

Why is the Online Hopper sometimes called Blackboard.com?
The software that runs the GDS Online Hopper is made by a company called Blackboard.com. At many colleges and universities, it is called Blackboard. At GDS we decided to give the Blackboard program a name just for users at our school.

When I am signed on I notice that the Online Hopper has many features that we do not use?
The Online Hopper has a variety of tools for teachers to use with their students. It is possible to have online conversations, to post quizzes for students, and many other things. As we all get more familiar with this other features will gradually be adopted.

Is a record kept of the times I long into and use the Hopper?
Yes, one feature allows teachers to keep track of who uses and who does not use the Online Hopper.

Once in a while I've notice that the Online Hopper goes down and is not available on the web. Why does this happen?
The software that runs the Online Hopper lives on a computer. Occasionally, the computer freezes, just like any computer or server. The technology staff will alert teachers first thing in the morning if this happened the evening before; though it does not occur very often. Sometimes your computer or the web access that you have does not work, but the Online Hopper is just fine. These are good reasons for you to keep track of your paper copies or check in with a study-buddy from your class. In most cases, you are still b responsible for your assignments.

What should I do if I have trouble signing on to the GDS Online Hopper?
The most common mistake that people make when signing on to the Online Hopper is making a typing error when they put the address into the browser. Another troubleshooting step is to restart your computer and log back on to the web. Also, be sure to update your virus protection on a regular basis so you do not upload an infected file onto the Hopper. The technology staff members will be happy to help you solve problems - so feel free to ask one of them for help.

Some of the most common problems include: