Screen Sharing & Collaboration Tools

Sentuent's collaboration tools help you teach and learn more effectively. Share your screen, use the interactive whiteboard, and collaborate in real-time.

Screen Sharing

Share your entire screen, a specific window, or a browser tab with your tutor or student.

How to Share Your Screen

When to Use Screen Sharing

Great for:

• Reviewing code or documents together
• Demonstrating software or techniques
• Walking through practice problems
• Showing research or web content

Not ideal for:

• Extended periods (can reduce video quality)
• Sharing sensitive information (close private tabs first)

Screen Sharing Tips

Optimizing Performance

For smooth screen sharing:

• Close unnecessary applications
• Use a wired internet connection
• Share a single window instead of entire screen
• Reduce screen resolution if experiencing lag

Interactive Whiteboard

Use the built-in whiteboard for visual explanations, math problems, diagrams, and more.

Opening the Whiteboard

Click "Whiteboard" in the control bar or press W on your keyboard

Whiteboard Tools

Drawing tools:

• Pen - Freehand drawing
• Highlighter - Semi-transparent marker
• Text - Add typed text
• Shapes - Circles, rectangles, arrows, lines
• Eraser - Remove specific marks

Colors:

• Black, red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple
• Custom color picker

Actions:

• Clear - Erase entire whiteboard
• Undo/Redo - Step backward/forward
• Save - Export whiteboard as image

Collaborative Mode

Both participants can draw simultaneously:

1. Enable "Multi-user mode"
2. Both people can draw/write
3. See each other's cursor in real-time
4. Perfect for working through problems together

Whiteboard Best Practices

Math & Equations

The whiteboard supports LaTeX for mathematical notation:

1. Click "Math mode"
2. Type LaTeX commands (e.g., \frac{1}{2}, \sqrt{x})
3. Click "Insert" to add to whiteboard

File Sharing

Share documents, PDFs, images, and other files during your session.

How to Share Files

Supported formats:

• PDF documents
• Images (JPG, PNG, GIF)
• Text files
• Office documents (preview only)

Size limit: 25 MB per file

File Viewer

View shared files together:

• Navigate pages (PDFs)
• Zoom in/out
• Annotate - Draw on PDFs and images
• Download - Save a copy locally

Chat During Sessions

Use text chat for:

• Sharing links or resources
• Clarifying instructions
• Sending practice problems
• Timestamping important moments

Chat Features

During session:

• Real-time text messages
• Share links (clickable)
• Send emojis or reactions
• Copy and paste code snippets

After session:

• Chat history saved automatically
• Access from session history
• Search previous conversations

Recording Sessions

Record sessions for review later (requires both participants' consent).

How to Record

Recording includes:

• Video of both participants
• Audio
• Screen shares
• Whiteboard content

Storage:

• Recordings saved to cloud
• Accessible for 90 days
• Download as MP4

Recording Rules

Good uses:

• Review complex explanations later
• Study sessions before exams
• Document problem-solving techniques
• Track student progress

Not allowed:

• Sharing recordings publicly without consent
• Using recordings for commercial purposes
• Distributing copyrighted content

Virtual Backgrounds

Use a virtual background to:

• Maintain privacy (hide your room)
• Look professional
• Reduce distractions

Setting a Virtual Background

1. Settings > Video > Virtual Background
2. Choose from defaults or upload custom image
3. Click "Apply"

Requirements:

• Modern computer (2017+)
• Decent lighting
• Plain background works best (but not required)

Built-in backgrounds:

• Neutral office
• Bookshelves
• Abstract patterns
• Blur (blurs real background instead of replacing)

Breakout Sessions (Coming Soon)

For group tutoring sessions:

• Split into smaller groups
• Assign different activities
• Return to main room
• Tutor can visit each breakout room

Advanced Features

Pointer & Annotations

When screen sharing:

• Laser pointer - Highlight areas without drawing
• Annotations - Draw on shared screens
• Zoom control - Let viewer control zoom level

Picture-in-Picture

Keep the video call visible while working in other apps:

1. Click "PIP Mode"
2. Video floats over other windows
3. Basic controls available
4. Click to return to full view

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your workflow:

• M - Mute/unmute
• V - Video on/off
• S - Share screen
• W - Open whiteboard
• C - Open chat
• R - Start/stop recording
• Spacebar - Push to talk (when muted)

View all shortcuts: Help > Keyboard Shortcuts

Accessibility Features

For visual impairments:

• Screen reader support
• High contrast mode
• Large text options
• Keyboard navigation

For hearing impairments:

• Live captions (beta)
• Visual notifications
• Chat as alternative to audio

For motor impairments:

• Voice commands (beta)
• Keyboard-only control
• Customizable shortcuts

Enable in Settings > Accessibility

Collaboration Best Practices

Troubleshooting

Screen Share Not Working

Fix:

1. Check browser permissions
2. Close other apps using screen capture
3. Restart browser
4. Try sharing a single window instead

Whiteboard Lag

Fix:

1. Close other applications
2. Use simpler shapes instead of detailed drawings
3. Clear whiteboard and start fresh
4. Check internet connection

Can't See Shared Content

Fix:

1. Ask the other person to stop and restart sharing
2. Refresh your browser
3. Check your internet connection
4. Try switching to mobile app

Need Help?

For technical issues with collaboration tools:

• Check Troubleshooting Guide
• Email support@sentuent.com
• Report issue during session (More > Report Issue)