What is ‘screen sharing’ or ‘screen mirroring’?
- A method of sharing or ‘mirroring’ the content displayed on an interactive whiteboard to a device belonging to a vision impaired child or young person.
- Commonly used ‘devices’ are tablets or laptops.
How is it beneficial to a vision impaired (VI) learner within a classroom setting?
- Screen sharing can be used to provide vision impaired learners with improved access to information presented at distance by bringing it closer to their functional near vision.
- Screen sharing gives access to ‘live’ aspects of whiteboard learning because annotations and notes made by teachers during lessons will appear on their device.
- Screen sharing can provide vision impaired learners with the freedom to position themselves more flexibly within a classroom whilst still being able to access whiteboard content.
- Screen sharing can boost inclusion for vision impaired learners by giving them independent access to the same content as their peers.
- Technology is key in providing ‘access to learning’ and supporting the development of ‘learning to access’ skills.
- Where appropriate, it is also important that children and young people are empowered to be able to make informed choices about the most appropriate technology for them to use in different situations.
- Recognition should be given to the rapidly changing nature of this area due to technology advances. We need to provide opportunities for children and young people (and those advising and teaching them) to learn about the introduction of new technology and how it could potentially be of benefit e.g. building future skills for employment etc.
- Helps to reduce visual fatigue
- Supports embedding Area 8: Technology: Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI)
How is screen sharing accessed?
- A programme will be installed on both the teacher device (i.e. laptop or desktop computer) and also the pupil device (i.e. iPad or laptop).
- There are several free versions of this software that can be downloaded. Examples include: ‘Teamviewer’, ‘Join-me’, ‘Anydesk’, or ‘Mirroring 360’. (Please note that Devon County Council does not endorse any of these suggestions)
- There are also paid versions, which are usually fairly inexpensive and may include additional features.
- When the programme is opened on the teacher device, it will generate a unique code. When this code is entered onto the pupil device, the mirroring of content will begin.
Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting
Q: ‘The pupil in my class can move or change things on the main whiteboard and it disrupts my lessons’.
A: There are usually settings on screen sharing programmes which render the pupil device as ‘read-only’ and therefore prevent the pupil from being able to influence the content.
Q: ‘The screen share appears quite small on the pupil device, I’m not sure they can see any better when using it’.
A:The content on most screen sharing apps can be enlarged by using the pinch/zoom function on the screen (if using a tablet or touch screen device). If using a laptop, the screen zoom function can be used. This will allow the pupil to enlarge the content and focus on what is visually relevant. This should still work even when read-only settings are enabled (see above).
Q: ‘My screen sharing programme is not working properly and I cannot sign in’.
A: Some schools will have specialist filtering software to protect sensitive data. Your ICT technician should always be consulted in order to assess the suitability of certain programmes or to grant certain permissions where they may be required.
Q: ‘During a whiteboard presentation, I need to access emails on my computer, but the pupil will be able to see them on their device via the screen share. How can I solve this problem so that the pupil can still see the desired slide?’
A:Consider teaching the pupil to take a ‘screenshot’ on their device so that they can continue working on the desired slide whilst you access emails or sensitive data:
– On an iPad, this can be done by simultaneously holding the power and volume down buttons. The copied screen can then be accessed in the photos app.
– On a laptop press the Windows key and ‘PrtScn’ key simultaneously. The copied screen can then be accessed by opening the ‘pictures’ folder and then selecting ‘screenshots’.
Useful links
- Contact your ATVI for support
- SEND ICT Guide to Screen Sharing, Use the following link: Screen sharing – Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)
- How to create and join a session with TeamViewer Remote. Use the following link to access the YouTube Video: How to create and join a session with TeamViewer Remote – YouTube
- Read advice from Paths to Literacy by using the following link: Students with Low Vision Using iPads to View Interactive Whiteboards – Paths to Literacy