Step-by-Step Guide To Your First Online Lesson
If you’ve booked online lessons with me, this guide will help you get up and running for your first session.
To get started, all you need is a good internet connection and a computer or tablet with audio and a webcam.
In my related blog post, How Does Online Tuition Work? Parents’ Top Questions Answered, I explain the tools and technology that I use for teaching and recommend additional equipment that you could use to enhance lessons further.
Follow these steps and you’ll be ready for learning online in no time…
Online Tuition – Step-by-Step Guide
Before Your First Lesson
Step 1 – Install Zoom Conferencing Software
If you don’t already have it installed, please make sure that you do this in advance of your first lesson.
You don’t need a Zoom account but can choose to set one up if you wish.
Step 2 – Check Your Email for Zoom Details
After registering with me you will receive an email confirming booking details along with the details you will need to log in to Zoom. Each student has separate, secure login links and information.
Login details remain the same every lesson.
When It Is Time for Your Lesson
Step 3 – Connect to Zoom
Shortly before your lesson is due to begin, open Zoom and enter your Meeting ID and password.
You will see settings or a popup asking if you want to connect to audio and have the video on. Make sure you approve these so that we can see and hear each other.
Step 4 – Connect with Me
We will now be able to see and hear each other through our devices and can introduce ourselves.
Step 5 – Connect with a Whiteboard
There are two online whiteboards that I use for teaching. If your child has access to an iPad (in addition to the device they are using Zoom on) I usually use Explain Everything. Otherwise, I use BitPaper.
If they have an iPad, please download Explain Everything from the App Store and I will share a code to access the whiteboard.
For BitPaper, I will send a link through the chat feature on Zoom.
Once we are both on a whiteboard I will show them how everything works, we’ll play some games to shake off any nerves and then we will be ready to start learning!
Step 6 – Learn!
We are now ready to work together, share documents, write and draw on the whiteboard – the possibilities are endless!
That’s all there is to it!
Once you’ve had one online lesson, it gets even more straightforward and we can start learning more quickly the next time.
To get even more out of your lesson time, if you don’t have an iPad, I highly recommend buying a cheap drawing tablet, which lets you write more accurately and neatly than trying to write with a mouse. Find out more about drawing tablets, and other recommendations that I have in this post.
I hope that you find this helpful? As always, if you have any questions at all, let me know in the comments below or get in touch through the contact page.
Enjoying this topic? Here is a related post:
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Curious to find out more about tuition? Book a free consultation at a time that suits you so that we can chat about your needs.
