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Drawing and Annotation in the Classroom
The drawing pad is a shared drawing surface you can open during a live lesson. Every stroke you make appears on your student's screen in real time, making it easy to sketch out musical concepts, write short notation examples, or illustrate ideas visually.
Opening the Drawing Pad
Once you are inside the classroom, look for the drawing pad icon in the classroom controls (available on desktop screens). Click it to open the drawing pad, which appears over the main video area. The pad is shared, so you and your student are always looking at the same canvas.
Using the Pen Tool
The pen tool is selected by default when you open the drawing pad. You can customise it in several ways:
- Colours — Choose from a range of colours to differentiate markings. For example, use red for errors and green for correct fingerings.
- Line thickness — Pick from the preset thickness options to make thin, precise marks or bold, visible strokes.
Click or tap and drag across the screen to draw. Your student sees each stroke as you make it.
Eraser and Clear
Switch to the eraser tool to remove individual strokes. If you want to start fresh, use the Clear button to wipe all annotations from the canvas at once. Clearing is instant and applies to both screens.
Writing Musical Notation
The drawing pad also includes music notation tools alongside free drawing. This is useful for:
- Writing out a short exercise with a clef, key signature, and time signature.
- Drawing arrows to indicate phrasing or dynamics.
- Writing fingering numbers next to specific notes.
Tips for Effective Annotation
- Use contrasting colours so your marks are easy to see.
- Clear the canvas between exercises to avoid clutter.
- Combine drawing with verbal instructions for the clearest communication.
For more on classroom tools, see Sending Lesson Notes to Students.
