Companion Mode

Transform a teacher's phone or tablet into a remote presentation device for facilitating Desmos Classroom lessons

Updated over a week ago

Companion Mode transforms a teacher's phone or tablet into a remote presentation device for facilitating Desmos Classroom lessons, offering them the ability to roam around the classroom and enhance student-teacher interaction.

With Companion Mode, teachers can toggle between lesson screens and key notes, making sure effective lesson delivery is never compromised even when they step away from their computer.

How to access Companion Mode

Desmos Labs

You can activate Companion Mode by selecting Desmos Labs (link opens to new tab) from the dropdown menu and then clicking the check mark.

Desmos Labs is currently disabled for Amplify Desmos Math (ADM) sign-in accounts and users logging in from the Educator Home’s portal.

Once Companion Mode is enabled, a mobile icon will appear in the top-right corner of your lesson dashboard.

Enabling Companion Mode will turn on tab sync across all platforms the presenter is on.

When you click the mobile icon you will be asked whether you want to sign into Companion Mode on your mobile device using a QR code, or if you would like to open Companion Mode in the current tab of your primary device.

Logging into Companion Mode

Mobile Device

If you scan the provided QR code with your mobile device or tablet, you’ll be asked to log into your Desmos Classroom account. This will display a mobile-friendly screen that mirrors the dashboard presentation view on your primary device.

Primary Device

You can also turn on the Companion Mode presentation view from your main computer device by clicking the Switch to companion button.

If you want to revert back to the default dashboard view, click on the blue Switch to Dashboard button located in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

Companion Mode features

Companion Mode allows you to access your Teacher Dashboard features straight from your phone or tablet.

Navigation

To navigate Companion Mode, click the right and left arrow buttons to move between different activity screens.

Pause

Halt the activity screen across all student devices by clicking the Pause button.

The pause feature functions identically to the desktop version.

Sync to Me

The Sync to Me feature allows you to control the screen that your students view.

When active, students' screens will follow your navigation, immersing them in the activity you're presently guiding.

When Sync to Me is enabled, student views move in tandem with the teacher’s current screen.

Teacher Notes

Teacher Notes are accessible at the bottom of the Companion Mode screen. Teacher Notes provide additional information and guidance for the presenter.

Snapshots

The snapshot feature lets you use your mobile device to capture images of student work.

You have the option to either present these images live to the class, or save them for later reference. Learn more about Snapshots here. (link opens to new tab)

Want to share your feedback? Please share your experiences about using Companion Mode by filling out this survey (link opens in new tab). Your feedback is valuable to us for improving and enhancing the tools and features we offer.

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