This page provides a basic guide to setting up your tablet or other device to use as a second screen or whiteboard; for example, to draw diagrams or write detail mathematical expressions. Unfortunately, this depends on a number of features including (i) what kind of tablet you have, (ii) your operating system, (iii) the version of operating system you're using, and (iv) whether you have a WiFi or hardware connection. In general, we will assume you have a computer which is running either Windows or Mac, and you have a Tablet which is running Windows, Android, or iOS and the associated adapter (e.g. lightning cable) for your tablet.

We have tried to be comprehensive, but there are many different situations out there we are not familiar with, or haven't been able to test or determine the best way to solve. Add your own solutions if you have one!

Note that all solutions which use WiFi (and not a hard-wired adapter) require both devices to be on the same WiFi network and not behind a VPN.

If your Tablet is an iPad and your computer is a Mac

Fortunately, because both of these devices are produced by the same manufacturer, this is the simplest situation. There are considerations depending on how your devices are, and whether you're using WiFi and/or Zoom.

If you're using Zoom

Zoom has a built-in iPad (or iPhone) link. You can find more on our Zoom guide but basically:

You start Zoom screen sharing, then select "iPhone/iPad"
- If it's the first time using this option, you may be prompted to install a plugin
You can then screen mirror your iPad using AirPlay to your Zoom device.
Note that like the other wireless options, this will require your iPad and computer to be on the same WiFi network, and not behind a VPN.

If your iPad and Mac are newer than 2016

Congratulations! You have the easiest time of it! Recent Macs with compatible iPads can use the Apple Sidecar application and a USB to Lighting (i.e. charger) adapter to use their iPad as a second monitor. You can find detailed instructions here on how to set this up.

Once you have connected your iPad, it will function as a second monitor. You can mirror or extend your desktop onto the iPad screen; we recommend using the extended screen and then writing on it. You can see Apple's guide to screen configurations here.

If your iPad and Mac are older than 2016

Unfortunately, your computer does not support Sidebar, so you will need to perform a work around. Connect your iPad to your Mac using a USB to Lightning adapter, then open QuickTime Player on your Mac. Then, go to File > New Movie Recording then select your iPad screen as video input. Then, you can share the video recording screen just like you would with slides - except now it will mirror your iPad. You can find instructions in this helpful video tutorial.

Note: this is the unique hard-wired adaption we have tested, and does not rely on a WiFi network.

If your Tablet is an iPad and your computer is a PC

In this case, things get a little more complicated, unless you're using Zoom. In general, you will need to buy and install some extra software to help make the connection.

If you're using Zoom

Fortunately, you're also in luck; the process is identical to that described above. No extra software necessary.

If you're not using Zoom

Unfortunately, all of the options we have been able to find include using an intermediate piece of software. Essentially, you set up an application on your Windows PC which can connect to you iPad using AirPlay or screen mirroring. Then, you use the screen mirroring feature on your iPad to share your content to your PC. This software tends to be about $25.

We can recommend AirServer as a fairly simply and easy to use piece of software.
We have also heard good things about Reflector

Both of these tools offer free trials, so you can test out your set-up before spending money.

Install the software, following the guidelines, then launch the software.
Using your iPad, use the screen mirroring feature to share your screen to application on your PC.
This will display your iPad screen in the application window; you can now share this as content to your lecture

If Your Tablet is a Windows device (e.g. Surface or Surface Pro) and your computer is a PC

Windows PC and Microsoft Surface Tablet: the process is a little more straightforward if you have a Surface and are running Windows 10 or later.

Connect to your tablet as a second screen using the "project to a second screen" option in the Windows display options, after plugging it in with a USB-C adapter. You can find a guide from Microsoft here.
Note we haven't tested this will all surface devices yet!

If Your Tablet is an Android device and your computer is a PC

If your tablet is running Android, it should support either Chromecast or Miracast

We haven't found any solutions for Android tablets which do not support a screencasting system.
Follow the same steps for iPad and PC, but instead of using screen mirroring, use the Chromecast (or Miracast) feature on your device instead.

If you're using a SurfaceBook or Surface Pro

Unlike other tablets, a Surface Pro (7 or later) and the SurfaceBook are actually 2-in-1 "transformer" style laptops which have both a tablet and a laptop component. You can use your software directly (PPT, PDF, any whiteboard or notepad app, etc.) with this device. This is the easiest way of teaching online because it will not require any other equipment or software. The Surface Pro 7 is also easy to carry and use an USB-C to HDMI adapter ($15 - $20 on Amazon) to plug into any classroom projector or monitor if instructor wishes to use the device in classroom and broadcast live.

Step 1: Open your PPT slides or PDF notes or any whiteboard or notepad on your MS Surface Pro.
Step 2: Open Canvas Collaborate or Zoom and share the application you have just opened under Step 1.
- How to share application/screen on Canvas Collaborate: here
- How to share application/screen on Zoom: here
Step 3: Start teaching while annotating!

Important Notes:

Instructors can also open the Collaborate or Zoom whiteboard and annotate there using Surface Pro. But it will not save the annotations as a separate file. If instructors record the session, it will record the live annotations. But if instructors are using surface notetaking app or any other whiteboard app to annotate and write stuffs, they can easily save the file after the class and share the file with students.
If you are a MacBook or iMac user, and you use iCloud to save all of your classnotes, you can easily download iCloud on your surface pro and access all the updates notes and slides to share on your screen when teaching using Surface Pro 7. Read this to find out how to connect iCloud with Surface Pro.
If you are a Windows user, you can either use the Surface Pro (it can easily connect to a big monitor with a USB-C to HDMI adapter) or your windows computer to make the notes and access those files on your surface pro with Microsoft OneDrive (same as iCloud). Read this to find out how OneDrive works.