Getting Setup for Online Tuition
Go to www.bitpaper.io and register for a free account.
Bitpaper is an online whiteboard that will automatically save all our work ongoingly. It’s always available for one to log on to and view or edit any of the content at any time and doesn’t require scheduled session times like Zoom.
I will send, in advance of the first session, a link to the paper we will use. This link won’t be needed to enter the paper/room for every session. In the first session, I will show you how to save the created paper to your account so you can enter the paper via the website for future sessions.
An important note is that Bitpaper has been optimized to work on the Google Chrome browser. It does work on other browsers but there can be random problems so best to install that web browser for this purpose.
If you don’t have Zoom installed, please do so here - https://zoom.us/client/latest/ZoomInstaller.exe
Bitpaper has audio and video functionality but at a price, so I use Zoom for all the audio and/or video and Bitpaper for the writing.
I will email, in advance of the first session, a link to the meeting. This won’t be a scheduled meeting (to avoid having to send a new invitation for each session) but an open meeting room. Just join the room at the allotted time and I will admit you when ready to start.
Creating a Zoom account will allow you to save my personal meeting room for ease in future sessions. This avoids having to find the old email each week to join the session. As far as I know, this only works if you log in to your own Zoom account via the Zoom software installed on your operating system.
In advance of a first session, it’s really advisable to give the set up a trial run. There are often unexpected issues with a browser’s audio and video permissions, particularly on Mac computers. If you can, test with another computer you own. Failing that, schedule a time with me and we can check all is working and ready for a first session.
A note on a student’s preferences for online tutoring:
Many of my students are inclined to watch what I am writing on the screen and engage passively. For some, writing can be a distraction. To be able to engage one hundred percent without having to write anything can be ideal for you given your preference. There is no risk of missing out on notes as everything written is saved automatically on Bitpaper and can be exported and printed at a later time if necessary.
If you feel writing is an integral part of how you learn best then, by all means, feel free to use pen and paper.
With online tuition, there is the option of being able to write on the screen (on Bitpaper) with me. Again, some students love that interaction and the change from pen and paper to a shared experience can be refreshing and engaging.
So, it’s important to have a think about what might work for you. Unless you’re totally clear that you want to write on the screen with me, I would say to hold back and have a few sessions first to see how the new dynamic feels and how you might want to work within this new way of operating.
If you can’t wait any longer and are sure then graphics tablets are available from a number of companies nowadays. The most common are Wacom (the industry standard) and Huion. Amazon has a great selection from both of these companies. Pricing-wise, you get what you pay for but don’t be alarmed by a £300 price tag, these are for professional graphics artists. A good entry point for those only using them for writing is about £50. This will give a decent writing area and a reliable pen.