For a printable version of this guide, click the printer icon at the bottom of the left-hand column.
¶ About the Endless Key
The Endless Key unlocks the potential for student curiosity and choice through independent learning. Curated to be interest-based and inclusive, our collection of content encourages students to discover knowledge and skills that will support them now and in their futures.
¶ What makes the Endless Key unique?
We developed the Endless Key with one audience in mind: students who have little to no connectivity to the Internet. We believe that every student should have access to quality, engaging content that enriches their lives and broadens their learning experiences, regardless of their ability to obtain a reliable internet connection.
¶ How should I use the Endless Key with students?
Think of the Endless Key as a supplemental tool for students to enrich and extend their learning. By providing them with access to the Endless Key, you are giving students the opportunity to be curious and explore the content on their own terms.
Are you studying the environmental impact of honeybees at school? Using the Endless Key on their device, students can continue their learning independently by exploring a TED-Ed lesson on biodiversity. Are they obsessed with gaming? Students can enhance their hacking skills by playing coding games on the Endless Key. When viewing the Endless Key through a lens of digital equity, you can ensure that all of your students have access to relevant and easy-to-access content.
¶ Can I use the Endless Key to assign work to students?
We have found that students prefer to use the Endless Key for self-guided learning. When they are in the driver’s seat, they are more likely to engage with the resources in our content collection. You can offer student exploration of the Endless Key as an option for enriching and extending learning. Students are just as likely to use the Endless Key to find a budget-friendly recipe to make for family dinner as they are to complete a research project or math assignment.
¶ What kind of content is available on Endless Key?
The content on the Endless Key covers a broad spectrum of topics that interest kids. Crafts. Mindfulness. Writing. STEM Challenges. Career Prep. Gaming. Cooking. Dance. And so much more!
Endless Key content meets these five goals:
- Supplemental: Our content supports students in their schoolwork but does not replace the curriculum (TED-Ed, Khan Academy, etc.).
- Discovery & curiosity-based: Our content encourages students to explore their interests (Arts & Crafts, Gaming, etc.).
- Interactive: Our content provides multiple mediums for learning with open-ended activities (Blockly Games, Terminal 2, etc.).
- Culturally-relevant and inclusive: Our content is representative of our community of learners and considers the diverse backgrounds and abilities of the students.
- Self-guiding: Students can interact intuitively with our kid-friendly content without the need of an adult guide, much like visiting a local library.
Additionally, students can engage with the content in three different ways: Read, Watch, and Interact. This allows students to personalize their learning experience across multiple subject and interest areas.
¶ How do students access the Endless Key?
The Endless Key can be accessed with a USB drive on Windows devices or via an app for Windows devices or Chromebooks. The USB version of the Endless Key can be used alongside the app for a richer experience, but it is not necessary.
The instructions for downloading the app are included in this guide. While the app can be pushed out to devices through device management platforms, it is also possible for students to download it themselves, depending on how your school manages devices and permissions. Reach out to your technology department and ask which option may be best.
¶ Is my students’ data private?
Because students do not need to create an account to use Endless Key, their names and other personal information are not collected. Also, because the purpose of Endless Key is to provide offline learning resources, there is no communication feature - and no advertising - within the app.
You can view our privacy policy here: endlessos.org/key
¶ Download Instructions
¶ Before you begin
Make sure your device is up-to-date by checking for ChromeOS updates in Settings. More information
¶ Step 1
Open the Play Store and search for “Endless Key.” Select the app and click “Install.”
¶ Step 2
After the app has been installed, click “Open.”
¶ Step 3
Click “Get Started.”
¶ Step 4
Select a curiosity profile. This will determine which starter pack you receive.
If you have an Endless Key USB device or SD card, skip to the next section titled “Download Using Physical Key."
¶ Step 5
Click “Download Pack.”
¶ Step 6
The starter pack download will take several minutes, especially if there are multiple devices using the same network access point. You may see content begin to load in the background. When the Starter Pack has been delivered, click “Show Me.”
¶ You’re done!
Explore the Discover page, or use the Search Library function to find content that interests you!
If you need assistance with using the app, check out these troubleshooting tips, or email support@endlessos.org.
¶ Download Using Physical Key
¶ Step 4 (continued from above)
If you are using a physical key (USB device or SD card), select “Click here” on this screen.
¶ Step 5
Insert your physical Key and click “Next.”
¶ Step 6
Click “Next” to allow the Key to access your Chromebook.
If you see the words “KOLIBRI_DATA” at the top of your screen, press the blue button.
If you see a blank screen, press the back button.
¶ You’re done!
Explore the Discover page, or use the Search Library function to find content that interests you!
If you need assistance with using the app, check out these troubleshooting tips, or email support@endlessos.org.