Introducing Lessonspace: the virtual classroom tool used on Learnmate for conducting online tutoring sessions. It is a browser-based platform that provides a range of interactive features, such as video conferencing, a collaborative whiteboard and live document editing to support effective online learning.
Best of all, Lessonspace is completely free for all tutors and students on Learnmate - even though it is normally a paid tool. Learnmate fully sponsors access so you can use a premium online classroom at no extra cost.
This overview explains the main functions of Lessonspace and outlines how both students and tutors can use it during their sessions.
What Lessonspace Is
Lessonspace is a premium online classroom platform - but on Learnmate, it is completely free for tutors and students. Learnmate fully covers the subscription cost so you can access a high-quality online learning space without paying for separate software.
It can be accessed through a web browser and does not require installation or a new application on your phone or computer. If tutors and students opt to use it, Learnmate integrates with Lessonspace so that tutors and students can enter their online classroom directly from lessons scheduled in their calendar. Because everything is accessed from the same place, users do not need to manage separate links or external accounts.
Chrome is the recommended browser for the most stable experience. We highly recommend that all online lessons on Learnmate are conducted through Lessonspace for the best and most reliable learning experience.
Why We Recommend Lessonspace on Learnmate
Because it is fully integrated, free to use, and specifically designed for tutoring, Lessonspace offers a smoother and more optimised experience than Zoom, Google Meet or standard video calls. We encourage all tutors and students to use it - if you are a tutor, do try it out. If you are a student, simply let your tutor know you'd like to run your lessons via Lessonspace.
Key Features of Lessonspace
Browser-Based Interface
Lessonspace works entirely online. Users simply click “Join Room” from their Learnmate schedule. Since no software is required, this reduces setup issues and makes access easier for students joining from different devices.
Persistent, Auto-Saved Workspaces
Every Lessonspace session is saved automatically. This includes:
- Written work
- Uploaded documents
- Annotations
- Whiteboard pages
Because work remains available between sessions, tutors and students can continue from previous lessons without needing to re-upload or recreate materials.
Collaborative Whiteboard
The shared whiteboard is the main working area for most tutoring sessions. It includes:
Drawing and Annotation Tools
Users can draw, highlight, add shapes, and type text. These tools are useful for working through problems, annotating readings, or showing steps in written tasks.
Document Uploading and Exporting
PDFs, Word documents, and PowerPoint files can be uploaded and displayed page by page. Tutors and students can annotate these documents in real time. This means real-time essay marking and feedback, collaboratively working through maths or science problems, and even talking through practice exams together.
Whiteboard content can also be downloaded as images or saved as templates for future lessons.
STEM-Specific Tools
For subjects such as mathematics and science, Lessonspace provides an equation editor and graphing tool. These allow tutors and students to create accurate mathematical expressions and graphs directly within the space.
Tablet and Stylus Compatibility
The whiteboard works with graphics tablets, iPads, and stylus devices, which can provide a more natural writing experience, particularly for subjects requiring handwritten working.
Communication Features
Video and Audio
Lessonspace includes built-in video conferencing for up to 10 participants. It uses noise-cancelling technology to support clearer audio during explanations and discussions.
Screen Sharing
Both tutors and students can share their screens. There is also a feature that allows screenshots to be taken and automatically inserted onto the whiteboard for annotation.
Recording
Sessions can be recorded when needed, allowing students to review material or enabling tutors to revisit past lessons for reference.
Leader Controls
Tutors have access to settings that help manage the flow of the lesson. These controls allow tutors to:
- Mute participants
- Hide video feeds
- Lock editing tools
- Enable “Leading Mode” to guide what students see on their screens
These functions support session organisation and reduce distractions.
Benefits for Learnmate Users
While not a promotional feature, there are several practical advantages for users:
- Continuity of learning: Persistent spaces means that lesson materials remain available across sessions - you can pick up where you left off in your next lesson.
- Flexibility: Because it is browser-based, students can join from a range of devices without installation.
- Support for complex subjects: Tools like the equation editor, graph editor, and shared document markup help with subjects requiring detailed visual explanation.
- Completely free for all Learnmate users: Tutors and students get unlimited access to Lessonspace’s paid features at no cost.
Because it’s free to use and built for tutoring, Lessonspace is the recommended platform for all online sessions on Learnmate.
How Students Join a Lesson
Students do not need a separate Lessonspace account. Access is through their Learnmate dashboard.
- Book a Lesson: The session is scheduled on Learnmate and tutors nominate Lessonspace as the online classroom where the lesson will take place.
- Access the Session Link: When tutors nominate Lessonspace for a lesson, a dedicated space is automatically created. When it is time for the lesson, students can access the space by:
- Going to their Schedules tab and clicking on the relevant lesson, and
- Clicking the Lessonspace link shown for the 'Location' of the lesson.
- Enter the Space: The link opens the Lessonspace lobby in a new browser tab. Here, students can check that their microphone and camera are working before entering the space.
- Allow Permissions: If prompted, students should allow their browser to use their camera and microphone.
- Join the Room: Once the audio and video indicators show activity, students click Join to enter the Lessonspace environment.
Students can join Lessonspace instantly and at no cost. If your tutor hasn’t enabled Lessonspace yet, feel free to ask them to use it - most online tutors on Learnmate prefer it for its reliability and interactive tools.
How Tutors Use Lessonspace
Because Lessonspace has been created to mirror the classroom environment with bespoke tools specifically designed to optimise learning outcomes, more and more tutors are adopting Lessonspace for their lessons. Here's how tutors are using it:
- Prepare Materials: Tutors may upload worksheets, documents, or images to the whiteboard before the session begins.
- Start the Session: Tutors enter the relevant Lessonspace through their Calendar on Learnmate, clicking on the relevant lesson and then “Join Room.”
- Check Audio and Video: In the lobby, tutors confirm that their camera and microphone are functioning. Pop-up blockers should be disabled to avoid connection issues.
- Manage the Space: Once inside, tutors can organise students’ views with Leading Mode, manage participation using leader controls, and open any prepared files.
- Conduct the Lesson: Tutors can use the whiteboard, STEM tools, screen sharing, and uploaded materials to run the session according to the lesson plan.
Since Lessonspace is fully sponsored by Learnmate, tutors can use all features without worrying about subscription fees or usage limits.
Conclusion
Whether you’re learning online or tutoring remotely, Lessonspace is the best and most reliable classroom experience on Learnmate - and it’s completely free for you to use on every session. We're sponsoring Lessonspace for all our users because we care about learning outcomes and want the best tools available to tutors to achieve those outcomes.
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