Getting Started with Lessonspace for Teachers

New to Lessonspace? This guide covers everything you need to know to get ready for your first lesson, use the essential teaching tools and know where to get help.

💡 Try it yourself: Join our Demo Space at any time to test your setup and explore Lessonspace without a student.

Your organization will let you know how to access your Lessonspace lessons. You might receive a direct link to a Space or access Lessonspace through another platform.

If your organization requires you to use the Lessonspace Dashboard, see our Teacher Dashboard guide to learn how to log in and find your assigned Spaces.

Before your first lesson, we recommend joining a Space to make sure everything is working correctly.

When you join for the first time, allow your browser to access your camera and microphone and check that the correct devices are selected.

You can also use the built-in Troubleshooting menu to check your camera, microphone, speakers, and connection. When everything is ready, you'll see Everything looks good!

Your Space is your online classroom. It combines video and audio with collaborative tools you and your students can use together.

Use Whiteboards for visual and interactive activities. You can draw, type, add shapes, upload materials, and annotate content together with your students.

Use Documents for text-based activities, such as collaborative writing, notes, or longer pieces of written work.

Use the Library to use apps and add ready-made resources to your Whiteboard. These are useful for bringing more interactive activities and teaching materials into your lessons.

Use the Chat to send messages and links to your students. It can also be useful as a backup way to communicate if you or your student is having an audio problem.

Use Screen Sharing when you want to show something outside Lessonspace, such as a website, presentation, or another application.

If you want your students to interact with the material, consider adding it to a Whiteboard instead so you can work on it together.

You can enter your Space before your student joins and prepare your lesson in advance.

Add Whiteboards, Documents, uploaded files, and resources before the lesson starts. Everything in your Space is saved automatically, so your materials will still be there when you return.

If you use the same Space for recurring lessons, you and your students can continue where you left off.

Leading Mode helps you guide your students through the Space. When it's enabled, students follow you as you move between tabs and navigate around the Whiteboard.

Turn it off when you want students to navigate or work independently.

As the teacher, you also have controls for managing participants during a lesson, including muting microphones or turning off video.

When your lesson is finished, select End Session.

Choose Leave Session to leave the Space yourself, or End Session for All to end the session for everyone.

Your Whiteboards, Documents, and other content are saved automatically, so they'll be ready the next time you return to the Space.

If something isn't working during your lesson, start with the built-in Troubleshooting menu. It can help identify common problems with your camera, microphone, speakers, and connection.

You can also search the Lessonspace Help Center for troubleshooting guides and answers to common questions.

If you still need help, reach out to your organization for further support.

Want to learn more about teaching with Lessonspace? Take our free Online Teaching Course for a more complete introduction to the platform and effective online teaching.

Do I need to download anything to use Lessonspace?
No. Lessonspace runs in your browser, so there's no software to download. Make sure you're using a supported browser and device.

Can I prepare my Space before my student joins?
Yes. You can enter your Space at any time to prepare Whiteboards, Documents, and other lesson materials. Your content is saved automatically. Note that this may differ if your organization has different settings.

Will my work still be there for the next lesson?
Yes. Content in your Space is persistent, so your Whiteboards, Documents, and other materials will be there when you return to the same Space.

Can students use the Whiteboard too?
Yes! Teachers and students can work together on the Whiteboard. You can use your teacher controls to manage how students interact with the Space when needed.

Can I use Lessonspace on a tablet or iPad?
Yes, Lessonspace supports compatible tablets and mobile devices. Check Supported browsers and devices for the latest requirements.

What should I do if my student and I aren't seeing the same part of the Whiteboard?
Turn on Leading Mode to bring students to the same tab and area of the Whiteboard you're viewing.