
Technical Troubleshooting Tutorials for Teachers! (A little alliteration!)
I’m going to be 100% transparent. There are very few things that make me more INSANE than technology issues… It is pretty ugly when it happens. I also confess that I am not innately gifted when it comes to technology. EXHIBIT A: I do not really know how to use my T.V. remote. In general, I push all the buttons until something happens, which usually results in me screaming, “TECH SUPPORT!!! TECH SUPPORT!!! [Vanilla Sky reference: not my favorite movie, but…].
So, suffice to say, I understand how frustrating it can be. So I collected some of my frequently asked questions and made a few videos to help you out.
Technical Troubleshooting Tutorials: Printing Problems
Let’s say you are getting ready to print an PDF. It looks great on your screen, but when you print it, it has a black background (or the letters get jumbled up).
First, you say a few bad words… The problem could be:
- You did not open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. This seems to happen more to Mac users (or whenever schools “update” their systems.)
- Your printer software may need to be updated. You can usually do this by Googling the make and model number of your printer. Then downloading it.
- Sometimes your printer needs to be cleared. I do this in a SUPER high tech way. I cancel all of my pending print jobs. Then unplug my printer from the wall for about 30-45 seconds.
Here’s video that may help you.

Technical Troubleshooting Tutorials: Editable Fields
I have been using editable fields in many of my sight word center games and intervention units. This is great because you can add your own words in just a few seconds. However, from time to time, I do get a few questions. Again, this usually pops up when there has been a software “update” on the user’s system. I get most of my questions when teachers are headed back to school (schools tend to update software over the summer.)
Here are the steps to take:
- Open the file in ADOBE (it will not allow you to edit in any other document reader)
- Once you download the file, close all of your internet browsers, then open the file. The ADOBE app will not let you edit the file with the correct fonts.
- Be sure your ADOBE is up to date (see the link above if you need to update it.)
Here video that may help you.

You can find all of the editable files by clicking HERE.
Technical Troubleshooting Tutorials: Zip Files
I could recreate the wheel or I could just send you over to TpT so you can follow their steps (they are spot on!) What is a zip file?
Here is a video for you!

Technical Troubleshooting Tutorials: How to Navigate My Blog
I have been blogging for a long time. I used to joke that sometimes my blog feels like a big sock drawer. BUT I have been organizing it and I continue to make it easier to navigate.
Here is a little video to show you how to find the LOOT!

Technical Troubleshooting Tutorials: How to Make Visual Lesson Plans
I have been posting my lesson plan template for many years. Starting in the 2018-2019 school year, I also uploaded the PowerPoint version, so you could edit them and make them your own. The template is free, so you just need to download it. You may want to make a few changes to it, so I have included a little tutorial to show you how.

You can see a catalog of these blog posts by clicking:
Installing Fonts
If you need a little support on how to install fonts, Kimberly Geswein (a fabulous font creator) has a tutorial on how to do that:
I hope you feel my technical tutorials are helpful. Do you have any other technical issues that I can help you with? Just leave a comment and I will be happy to add to this post.
15 Responses
Such a clear and precise way to put things. You make it so everyone can understand, Asoka the right questions of themselves, and get things working. Thank you for posting this.
Hi, Deedee,
My name is Lillia Bates and I was fortunate to be able to take advantage of your Get Your Teach On sale. I bought the phonemic awareness files but after I downloaded them (and didn’t save) my dear husband cleaned my computer. I have tried to log on to the account but I don’t remember the password and your system is not sending me an email to re-establish a password. My email is iaba@sbcglobal.net and I checked and have a receipt from paypal that went through the 1st. Can you help me get to the files again?
Thanks,
Lillia
Hi there!
I’m sorry I am just now seeing this! Did we get this figured out? I sort of feel like you emailed me already…lol!
If not, will you email me and we will get everything straightened out!
deedee@mrswillskindergarten.com
Hi DeeDee,
I purchased your guiding reading bundles 1 and 2 on Tuesday July 23 at your really good deal of $55. I was so excited to try them, but I cannot download them. I can see the file on my iPad, but when I try to download them on a pc at school to print the files I cannot see them or find them. I have the order number, please advise what I should do.
Nancy.szep@svls.us
Hi Nancy,
Yes, I see your order. It sounds like your school’s firewall is blocking this purchase from showing up or downloading. Can you try a computer that is not connected to your school’s firewall?
DeeDee,
I think I may have used the wrong email address to send the ownload to. Could you resend it to the Nancy.szep@svls.us. I had entered nancy@ svls.us. Opps I was excited to get such a great deal for such a great product. Thanks for your help.
Nancy
Hi Nancy!
That was it! You had an incorrect email in your order. I just fixed it and sent the links out to you again 🙂
Let me know if you have any trouble: deedee@mrswillskindergarten.com
I just placed an online order and I provided my Billing Address, however, I did not enter my shipping address – which is different. Am I able to provid my shipping address to you now? Orer # 25308.
Hi Chantal,
These are electronic PDF downloads, so there is no need to ship! WOOT!
Just click on “My Account” and download your purchase. 🙂
I am having trouble opening my engaging readers file. I just shows what I imagine a coding page would look like, if that makes sense. Just a whole bunch of letters and numbers running together. This is only a recent problem becuase I was able to open it before with no problem. Please help if you can. Also I have tried different computers and the same thing is happening on all of them.
Thank you!!
Megan Washburn
I think we spoke on this via email. If not, will you email me?
deedee@mrswillskindergarten.com
I have just joined and am having trouble accessing some of the boom cards. When I click on the download link for the maths card sets it takes me to a googledocs page which lets me click on the image and download the files into my Boom account easily. However, when I click on either of the download links for the literacy activities (phonics) it downloads a PDF document to my computer. The PDF document does not have links to click on – just pictures that are only images. Any ideas on how I can fix this and access the files? I have had this issue before and have no idea how to fix it.
Thanks
Daphne
Hi Daphne! I am sorry you are having difficulties. Will you email me so that I can better assist you? deedee@mrswillskindergarten.com
Hi- I purchased the sound wall with heart words and keep getting an error message when I click on the Download button. Please help.
Thanks,
Wendy
wendydip@sbcglobal.net
Hi Wendy, I just sent you an email with the file. I’m so sorry! There is some sort of conflicting code (as if I know what that means…LOL) that my tech service is clearing up for me. Here is my email if you need it. deedee@mrswillskindergarten.com