Microsoft Teams for tutoring is what Tutopiya tutors teach on. Licences are included in every tutor plan, so you don’t need to buy video software. Teams has everything a 1-on-1 exam lesson needs: screen sharing, a digital whiteboard, file sharing and reliable audio. The difference between an average and a great online lesson is how smoothly you use them. This guide covers the features that matter, a lesson routine that works, settings to check, and how to handle problems mid-lesson.

Key takeaways

• Microsoft Teams is included in every Tutopiya plan.
• Master four features: screen share, whiteboard, file sharing and audio settings.
• A consistent lesson routine makes switching between tools seamless.
• Test before every lesson, and keep your camera on.
• Have a backup plan, because tutors are responsible for disruptions on their side.

The four features that matter most

Feature	What to use it for	Tip
Screen share	Past papers, mark schemes, slides, simulations	Share one window, not your whole screen
Whiteboard	Handwritten working, diagrams, graphs	Use a pen tablet or stylus for clarity
File sharing	Worksheets, homework, notes	Share through the lesson so it’s easy to find later
Audio and video	Clear communication	Headset on; camera on in every class

Microsoft’s own Teams help pages explain each feature step by step.

A lesson routine that works on Teams

1. Before the lesson: open Teams, test your camera and microphone, and open the past papers you’ll use in separate windows.
2. Minutes 0–5: greet the student, check their audio, and ask what they want to cover.
3. Minutes 5–15: share a short diagnostic question on screen.
4. Main teaching: switch to the whiteboard to work through the problem by hand.
5. Practice: share a new question, and ask the student to talk through their working.
6. Last five minutes: summarise, share homework as a file, and confirm the next lesson.
7. After the lesson: submit your lesson feedback (required after every class on Tutopiya).

Settings to check

Setting	Why
Correct microphone and camera selected	Avoids “can you hear me?” delays
Background noise suppression	Cuts household noise
Video background	Use a real, tidy background, or a subtle blur
Notifications off	Avoids pop-ups during screen share
Updated Teams app	Fewer bugs and crashes

Handling problems mid-lesson

Problem	Quick fix
Student can’t hear you	Check your selected microphone, then rejoin
Screen share frozen	Stop and restart sharing; share a single window
Internet drops	Switch to your backup hotspot and rejoin
Teams crashes	Restart the app; tell the student through the platform
Persistent issue	Contact Tutopiya support through the official channels in your profile

The Tutor Marketplace Terms ask tutors to try to resolve issues on the platform first, then contact support if needed.

Making online lessons feel personal

• Look at the camera when you explain key points.
• Use the student’s name, and pause for questions.
• Ask them to write on the whiteboard too.
• Keep your setting consistent, so students feel at home.

Browse subjects on the Cambridge IGCSE tutor jobs hub and the IB DP tutor jobs hub.

A five-minute pre-lesson Teams check

1. Open Teams and join a test call, or use the device settings preview.
2. Check your camera: framing, light and background.
3. Check your microphone: speak and watch the level indicator.
4. Open your materials in separate windows, ready to share.
5. Test the whiteboard with your stylus.

Do this before every lesson, especially trials. It prevents most of the problems that eat into lesson time.

How tutoring with Tutopiya works

Tutopiya is a 1-on-1 online tutoring marketplace for Cambridge IGCSE, Edexcel IGCSE, IB and International A Level students. You set your starting hourly rate when you create your profile and keep all of it, because Tutopiya’s 40–50% commission is added on top and paid by the student. Later rate changes are requested through Tutopiya, which approves them at its discretion. You’re paid on the 15th of each month for the previous month’s lessons, and trial lessons last an hour and are unpaid. Every plan (SGD 10/month, SGD 20 for 3 months or SGD 90/year) includes Microsoft Teams, past papers, learning resources, AI tools and free teacher training. Full details are on the Tutopiya Become a Tutor page.

Common Teams mistakes

• Sharing your whole screen. Share one window.
• Typing maths. Use the whiteboard with a stylus.
• Not testing first.
• Camera off. It’s required in every class.
• No backup internet.

Talk to us

For your setup, read the online tutoring equipment checklist. For lesson structure, see the trial lesson plan template. Questions? Contact the Tutopiya team.

Frequently asked questions

Does Tutopiya use Microsoft Teams for lessons? +

Yes. Microsoft Teams and the platform's software licences are included in every Tutopiya tutor subscription plan, so you don't need to buy video software separately.

What Teams features matter most for tutoring? +

Screen sharing (for past papers and slides), a digital whiteboard for handwritten working, file sharing for worksheets, and good audio settings. Practise switching between them quickly so lessons flow without pauses.

What should I do if Teams fails during a lesson? +

Have a backup ready: a mobile hotspot for internet, and a restart plan. Tell the student what's happening through the platform. Tutopiya's terms make tutors responsible for disruptions on their side, so test before every lesson and contact Tutopiya support if an issue can't be resolved.

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