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…

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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.

Step 3 – Download Explain Everything whiteboard app 

If you will be using an iPad or other tablet, please download Explain Everything from the App Store.

When It Is Time for Your Lesson

Step 1 – 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 2 – Connect with Me

We will now be able to see and hear each other through our devices and can introduce ourselves.

Step 3 – Connect with a Whiteboard

There are two online whiteboards that I use for teaching. If your child has access to an iPad/tablet (in addition to the device they are using Zoom on) I usually use Explain Everything. Otherwise, I use BitPaper.

For BitPaper, I will send a link through the chat feature on Zoom.

For Explain Everything and I will share a code to access the whiteboard.

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 get to know each other and start learning!

Step 4– 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.