Welcome to Pencil Spaces! This quick guide will help you get set up and ready to teach with confidence.
Before Your First Session
1) Confirm your institution access
There are typically two ways to log in to Pencil Spaces:
Log in directly by visiting my.pencilapp.com
Log in through a third-party integration managed by another company (for example, your school or LMS provider)
If you’re logging in directly, sign in at my.pencilapp.com and check the top-left of your dashboard for your institution’s name.
If you see it, you’re all set. If you don’t see it (or you’re not sure), contact your institution administrator to confirm you’ve been added to the correct organization.
2) Run a tech check
Before your first class, make sure your device and browser are ready:
Confirm your browser, camera, microphone, and speaker are working. If prompted, allow browser permissions for camera/mic
3) Review our training guide
You can learn how to use Pencil Spaces by taking our free training course here. If you'd like a shorter guide, please review our quickstart guide here.
4) Start or join a call in an existing Space (recommended)
If you’re able to, do a quick real-world test:
Open a Space or create a new one
Start or join the call. Confirm you can see yourself and use your mic
(Optional) Try a quick whiteboard action (draw/write) to confirm everything feels responsive
During Your First Session
If anything doesn’t work as expected, reach out to our 24/7 Live Support by clicking the "Help" button at the top of your screen.
If you can, please include:
What device and browser you’re using
What you're looking to do
If relevant, any error message or screenshot
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Space?
What is a Space?
A Space in Pencil Spaces is your online classroom. It includes an infinite whiteboard with built-in video conferencing, so you can draw, write, share files, and collaborate in real time. Learn more.
Can I create my own Space?
Can I create my own Space?
Certain institutions allow you to create your own Spaces. If you don't have access, you'll need to contact your institution administrator. Learn more.
Can I enter a Space early and prepare my lesson?
Can I enter a Space early and prepare my lesson?
Absolutely. Anything you add to a Space is saved automatically and stays there until deleted. You can prepare your materials ahead of time and pick up right where you left off.
How can I invite students to my Space?
How can I invite students to my Space?
You can invite students by email or by sharing the Space link. Learn more.
How can I keep students focused during class?
How can I keep students focused during class?
There are many ways, but here are two important ones:
Lead: Pull everyone to your view so they see exactly what you’re presenting. Learn more.
Lock Space: Prevent students from making unwanted changes on the whiteboard. Learn more.