Video Lessons in TutorBird: Zoom, FaceTime & Skype

Video Lessons in TutorBird: Zoom, FaceTime & Skype

Last week the team at TutorBird worked hard to deliver a much-requested Skype integration for tutors making the switch to online lessons. This week, we’ve been focusing on two other integrations requested by our members: Zoom and FaceTime! These integrations will allow for seamless online tutoring with TutorBird.

Here’s how to get your business set up for online lessons:

Zoom

 

Zoom is a popular video conferencing platform that you can use to teach 1:1 lessons and group lessons. First you’ll need to sign up with Zoom if you don’t already have an account. Then, add your Personal Meeting ID to TutorBird. Click here for single tutor business instructions and here for multi-tutor business instructions.

Next, you’ll need to add lessons to your Calendar:

  • Navigate to the “Calendar” from the main menu on the left
  • Click the “Categories” button above the calendar
  • Select the “Locations” tab and click the “Add Location” button
  • Give your new location a name and choose an icon to represent this location
  • Choose the “Zoom Meeting” option
  • When scheduling a lesson, choose the appropriate location from the “Location” drop-down menu

You can begin your Zoom meeting by clicking the location from the event details or from your Home Agenda by clicking the Zoom Meeting button. Students can join the Zoom meeting by clicking the link in the Student Portal Calendar, or the link in their email reminder.

Note: The Zoom Basic plan has a 40-minute time limit on meetings with 3 or more participants.


FaceTime

 

To get started, you need to add the student’s FaceTime ID to their profile. Once you’ve recorded this, you can schedule your FaceTime lessons:

  • Navigate to the “Calendar” from the main menu on the left
  • Click the “Categories” button above the calendar
  • Select the “Locations” tab and click the “Add Location” button
  • Give your new location a name and choose an icon to represent this location
  • Choose the “FaceTime Lesson” option
  • When scheduling a lesson, choose the appropriate location from the “Location” drop-down menu

To begin your FaceTime lesson, call by clicking the location from the event details on the Calendar or from your Home Agenda.

Note: FaceTime is only compatible with iOS and MacOS. Both the tutor and student must be using an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac).


Skype

 

Our Skype integration was announced in our recent blog update, along with a comprehensive guide to transitioning your business online.

Once you have entered your students’ Skype usernames in their Student Details, here’s what you need to do to get set up with MMS and Skype:

  • Go to Calendar and select “Categories” from the toolbar
  • Select the Locations tab and click “Add Location
  • Name your new location (Ex. Online Lesson), select “Online Skype Lesson” from the address list and click save
  • When you schedule a lesson with the new location for online Skype lessons the location name will be clickable
  • Clicking on it will open Skype and automatically call that student

TutorBird is here to help! Check out our comprehensive support articles here. If you require technical assistance please contact our support team at support@tutorbird.com

3 thoughts on “Video Lessons in TutorBird: Zoom, FaceTime & Skype”

  1. Hello, do you have any plans to integrate with classroom options that are more professional? Many parents are weary of Zoom after all of the Zoom bombing reports. Additionally, with Zoom it’s not inherently browser based and students must download the app in order to have full functionality, plus there is no native integrated whiteboard. The same goes for Face Time and Skype, they have no integrated whiteboard and they just don’t read as professional in a tutoring setting. Have you thought about integrating platforms that are actually created for online tutoring such as Groupworld (or others)? (FYI, I am not affiliated, I have just been doing ALOT of research on the best [and most cost effective] way to start moving our company online).

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