VirtualSpace

What Is VirtualSpace?

VirtualSpace is Tutorwise's built-in collaboration environment for real-time learning. It combines an interactive whiteboard with video calling so you can teach, learn, and work together — all within the platform.

• Interactive whiteboard powered by tldraw — draw, annotate, and collaborate in real time
• Google Meet integration for video and audio alongside the whiteboard
• Invite links to share rooms with anyone on the platform
• Whiteboard snapshots saved automatically for future reference
• Real-time sync via Ably — all participants see changes instantly
• CaaS integration for booking sessions that count toward your Credibility Score

Three Session Modes

VirtualSpace adapts to how you want to use it:

Standalone Mode

Create an instant whiteboard room for ad-hoc collaboration — no booking required.

Creating a Standalone Session

1. Go to VirtualSpace
2. Click "Create Session"
3. Give your session a title (optional — defaults to "Untitled Session")
4. Your room is created instantly with a unique invite link
5. Share the link with participants

Invite Links

When you create a standalone session, you get a shareable invite link:

• Unique token — each link is tied to one session
• 24-hour expiry — links expire after 24 hours for security
• Up to 10 participants — collaborate with a group
• Authentication required — participants must be signed in to Tutorwise

Use Cases

• Study groups working through problems together
• Tutors brainstorming lesson ideas with colleagues
• Quick whiteboard sessions for explaining a concept
• Collaborative note-taking during a revision session

Booking Mode

When you join a VirtualSpace session linked to a booking, you get the full tutoring experience.

Joining a Booked Session

Booking Mode Features

Free Help Mode

Free Help Now sessions include VirtualSpace so you can use the whiteboard during instant sessions.

How It Works

1. A student requests Free Help Now from the Marketplace
2. A tutor accepts the request
3. Both a Google Meet link and a VirtualSpace session are created
4. Redirect to VirtualSpace with the whiteboard and Meet embedded
5. Session expires after 24 hours

Free Help vs Booking Sessions

The Whiteboard

VirtualSpace's interactive whiteboard is powered by tldraw — a professional-grade drawing tool built for collaboration.

Drawing Tools

Real-Time Collaboration

The whiteboard syncs in real time across all participants:

• See each other's cursors and selections
• Changes appear instantly (powered by Ably real-time channels)
• No lag — CRDT-based sync ensures consistency
• Multiple users can draw simultaneously

Saving Snapshots

Click "Save Snapshot" in the session header to save the current whiteboard state:

• Snapshot is stored as a JSON file in secure storage
• Can be restored to review past work
• Available from the session details after the session ends

Google Meet Integration

VirtualSpace includes Google Meet for video and audio alongside the whiteboard.

How Meet Works

• A Google Meet link is generated when the session starts
• Meet opens in a panel alongside the whiteboard
• Both tutor and student join the same Meet room
• Audio and video run through Meet while you collaborate on the whiteboard

Best Setup

• Dual-screen or side-by-side layout — whiteboard on one side, Meet on the other
• Headset with microphone — reduces echo and background noise
• Stable internet — 10 Mbps+ recommended for smooth video + whiteboard sync

Session Management

Your Sessions Dashboard

Go to VirtualSpace to see all your sessions:

Session Lifecycle

Participant Roles

Access Control

Best Practices

For Tutors:

• Test your whiteboard tools before the student joins
• Save snapshots of key explanations
• Use the laser pointer to highlight areas during verbal explanations
• Prepare whiteboard templates for common lesson types
• Complete sessions through VirtualSpace for CaaS credit

For Students:

• Join 2–3 minutes early to test your setup
• Use the draw tools to show your working
• Ask your tutor to save snapshots of key concepts
• Use sticky notes for questions during the session

Troubleshooting

Q: My invite link says "expired". What do I do? A: Standalone invite links expire after 24 hours. Ask the session owner to create a new session with a fresh link.

Q: The whiteboard isn't syncing. How do I fix it? A: Try:

• Refresh the page
• Check your internet connection
• Close other browser tabs to free up resources
• Use Chrome or Firefox for best compatibility

Q: I can't see the "Complete" button. Where is it? A: The Complete button only appears in booking mode for the tutor. If you're in a standalone or free help session, there's no Complete action — the session expires automatically.

Q: Can I use VirtualSpace on mobile? A: VirtualSpace works best on desktop or laptop with Chrome. Mobile support is limited — the whiteboard tools require a larger screen for comfortable use.

Q: My whiteboard snapshot didn't save. What happened? A: Check your internet connection and try again. Snapshots require an active connection to upload. If the issue persists, try refreshing the page and saving again.

Q: How do I switch between the whiteboard and Google Meet? A: Both the whiteboard and Meet panel are visible simultaneously. On smaller screens, you can toggle between them using the layout controls in the header.

Q: Can I rejoin a session after leaving? A: Yes, as long as the session is still active (not expired or completed). Go to VirtualSpace and click the session, or use the original invite link.

Quick Links

• VirtualSpace Dashboard — Create or join sessions
• Bookings — Join booked VirtualSpace sessions
• Marketplace — Find tutors and use Free Help Now
• CaaS Guide — Understand Digital Professionalism scoring
• AI Tutor (Sage) — Get academic help during or between sessions
• AI Assistant (Lexi) — Platform help and navigation

Collaborate, Learn, Create

VirtualSpace brings the best of in-person tutoring online — a shared whiteboard where you can draw, annotate, and solve problems together in real time. Whether it's a scheduled lesson, a quick study group, or an instant help session, VirtualSpace has you covered.