When I first started tutoring online, I wasn’t sure how I’d adapt without a physical whiteboard. Over time, the Zoom Whiteboard has become one of the tools I use most often. It’s not flashy, but it makes lessons smoother and more collaborative. Here are a few ways I’ve found it useful:

Essay planning: I’ll set up a quick mind map or outline on the board. Students can add their own ideas, which makes it easier to see how their argument is taking shape.

Problem-solving: For maths, working step by step on the board helps me show the process clearly. Students can also try a line themselves without worrying about “getting it wrong.”

Active checking: Asking students to annotate or highlight key points shows me how they’re processing information, and I can correct misunderstandings on the spot.

Flexibility: Sometimes I just use it as scrap paper mid-lesson, sketching out an idea, a diagram, or even a timeline. It feels natural and keeps the session flowing.

For me, the whiteboard isn’t about replacing in-person teaching, it’s about making the most of what online tutoring offers.

Toby Bower