During a tutoring session, students use two different virtual tools: a video chat where they can talk to their tutor and a virtual whiteboard where they can write equations, draw graphs, and more.
Here’s how we recommend setting up your devices to best accommodate these two tools.
For the best experience, use two devices
- Preferred: Use a desktop or laptop computer for the video chat and a large touchscreen device (tablet/touchscreen Chromebook) for the whiteboard. The bigger the touchscreen device, the easier it’ll be to whiteboard—but a phone will work for this as well.
- Less preferred: Use one phone/tablet for the video chat and another phone/tablet for the whiteboard. Please use whichever device has a bigger screen for the whiteboard.
If two devices aren’t available
If two devices aren't available, you can:
- Preferred: Use only a touchscreen Chromebook.
For this option, you’ll need to keep the video session in one window, the whiteboard in another window, and toggle between the two. This means you may not be able to see your tutor during the session, but you will be able to write on the whiteboard by yourself. Alternatively you may utilize a split-screen functionality and have both windows side-by-side with smaller views. - Less preferred: Use only a desktop or laptop computer without a touchscreen.
For this option, you’ll need to keep the video session in one window, the whiteboard in another window, and toggle between the two. This means you may not be able to see your tutor during the session, and you won’t be able to write on the whiteboard—you’ll need to ask your tutor to write for you or use scratch paper, or use the mouse on the whiteboard. You may also utilize a split-screen functionality and have both windows side-by-side with smaller views. - Not preferred: Use only a cell phone or tablet.
For this option, you’ll only be able to use the video chat, and you’ll need to ask your tutor to share their screen so you can see their whiteboard. This means you won’t be able to see your tutor or write on the whiteboard—you’ll need to ask your tutor to write for you or use scratch paper.
You can find links to the video chat and the whiteboard in your confirmation email or by following these steps:
- Log in to Remind (or open the Remind app) on the device you're using for the video chat.
- Click Remind Tutoring Dashboard in the left navigation bar.
- Click Join session.
- Log in to Remind (or open the Remind app) on the device you're using for the whiteboard.
- Open your tutoring message thread.
- Click the link to open the whiteboard.
Additional tips
- Fully charge all devices in advance.
- Make sure you have the Remind app (or access to the Remind website) on all devices you plan to use.