Using the Virtual Classroom

Tutors can start their sessions from the Tutor Dashboard.

Note: We recommend using Google Chrome. System requirements can be found here.

1. Sign in to Littera.
2. The Dashboard opens.
3. The next upcoming session displays on the left.
4. Click Join Now. Tutors have the ability to join beginning 30 minutes before the session starts.

Note: Students can enter the waiting room up to 10 minutes before the session start time. They will be brought into the classroom at the start time (provided the tutor has joined).

Start a Session

1. In the waiting room, allow permissions for your microphone and camera and click Next. 
2. Choose the specific devices to use for the session.
3. Click Start Session.

Using the Whiteboard

1. The whiteboard opens. Your video appears in the top right, and students will appear below as they join.
2. The Control Bar appears at the bottom of your screen. Here you will find:
   
   • Chat: Click to open a text chat between you and the student(s) in the session.
   • Lock: Lock the whiteboard tab you are currently on. This prevents students from editing/annotating until given permission. 
     
     • Note: New tabs are unlocked by default.
   • Sync Class: Sync is on by default for all sessions. When one user moves to another tab or page, everyone stays in sync and follows them.

     • When it comes time for independent practice, tutors can click the Sync Class button in the control bar to turn Sync Class off. Students will be able to work independently in their own tab, while they apply what they learned in the session.

   • Share Screen: Choose to share your entire browser, a specific tab, or your screen. Currently, screen sharing is not supported on iPads or mobile devices.
     • To share audio, ensure you choose to share your browser tab and check the Share audio box at the bottom. 

       Note: You aren't able to interact/control your screen share on the whiteboard, but you can annotate on top. 

   • Microphone: Click to mute/unmute. 
   • Camera: Turn your camera off/on, and choose to Enable Background Blur.
   • Speaker: Turn classroom audio on/off.

3. You can click on Tools or right-click on the whiteboard to access the Tool Wheel. Each tool can be used on the whiteboard or on top of screen shares and uploads. Hover over a tool to see additional options.
   

   • Pen: Annotate the screen in different colors.
   • Laser: A laser pointer to highlight areas of the whiteboard
   • Shape: Add shapes to the screen in different colors
   • Line: Add lines in different colors to underline areas of the whiteboard
   • Text: Add a text box. There are 4 different height options. The text box resizes after text has been entered.
   • Select: Select and move or edit an object on the whiteboard.
   • Eraser: Erase specific objects from the whiteboard.
   • Clear: Clear the entire whiteboard.

4. More Tools opens additional tools to use on the whiteboard during the lesson, including:
   

   • Upload Photo/File: Upload files directly to the whiteboard via online search, from your computer, or by texting an image.
     
     • The page limit for uploaded documents is 25 pages/10MB file size.
   • Background: Change the whiteboard background to white or gray, or choose to add gridlines.
   • Keyboard Shortcuts: View a list of keyboard shortcuts compatible with the virtual whiteboard.
   • Export or Print: Export and save or print the whiteboard. 
   • Equation Editor: Choose a symbol from the menu to begin building an equation, and click Add Equation to Board.
   • Content Library: Upload content here to use for future sessions. Tutors using Teacher's College and Saga Math curriculum will also find lesson materials here.
   • Timer: Set a timer with or without an alarm for timed activities.
   • Table: Add a table to the whiteboard. 
   • Shape: Add a shape to the whiteboard.
   • Number Line: Select, then click and drag on the whiteboard to show a number line. Move the line direction to include negative numbers.
   • Calculator: The calculator is only visible to the person who opened it; however, an image of the calculator with your inputs and results can be added to the whiteboard to use as a discussion point during the session. 
5. Add Tabs to your whiteboard by clicking the plus sign at the top of your whiteboard page.
   
   
   • You can have up to 10 tabs at a time.
   • You can rename tabs by hovering over each individual tab, and selecting the pencil icon that appears.
   • Delete a tab by hovering over each individual tab, and selecting the x icon that appears.
     

Student Control Options

Tutors can mute students, turn their cameras off, and lock whiteboards to prevent students from editing them.

1. To mute a student, click the microphone icon on their video square. Click it again to unmute the student.
2. To turn a student's camera off, click the camera icon on their video square. Click it again to enable the student's camera.
3. to lock the whiteboard tab or page, navigate to it and click the Lock option in the control bar at the bottom.

End a Session

Tutors will see a warning at the session end time, letting them know their session will end shortly and it is time to wrap up.

From the session:

1. On the control bar, click the blue End Session button to end the class.
2. A confirmation window opens. Click Confirm.
   • Once a session is ended, tutors and students cannot re-enter.
     Note: Sessions automatically end about 5-10 minutes after the scheduled end time. If tutors or students leave the session after the scheduled end time, they cannot re-enter.
3. Provide feedback on the session and student progress.