Live Classroom > Views Tabs > File Share

Overview

This article introduces the "File Share" view, which is available in the Views Tabs section. When selected, it loads the file currently being shared by the Instructor into your main panel.

Since Engageli supports multiple methods of file and document sharing, it’s important to note that the File Share view is specifically for viewing of PDF or PPTX files that the Instructor has uploaded from their computer and wants to present in class. These are typically static presentation documents, unlike cloud-hosted files that allow multiple users to edit and collaborate in real time.

Below is an example screenshot of the File Share view:

You'll notice that the majority of the main panel is occupied by the current page that the document is navigated to.

The File Share will appear mostly the same for all participants with a few differences depending on your role in the classroom, which we'll be sure to point out. Please see below for an outline of all the features available when viewing the File Share tab:

• Left-Hand Pane - A collapsible pane will appear on the left side of the page, intended to help presenters with the file. There are 2 small tabs attached to this pane, which can be selected to control what loads into it. We'll describe the 2 tabs below:
  • Page Preview - Selecting this tab displays a pane with thumbnail images of each page, giving you a quick visual overview of the surrounding pages. You can use this feature to easily navigate forward or backward, or to jump directly to a specific section of the document by clicking a thumbnail. This is only visible to Instructors and participants on the podium. Below is an example screenshot illustrating the Page Preview feature:
  • Speaker Notes - Selecting this tab loads the speaker notes for the current slide into the panel. As you navigate through the File Share, the panel automatically updates to show the notes corresponding to current page. This tab is only visible to Instructors. Below is an example screenshot of the Speaker Notes feature:
    Note: Speaker notes are only available when uploading a PPTX file and only if it contains speaker notes.
• Toolbar - Located near the bottom of the page, the toolbar provides access to a set of helpful controls. While the toolbar itself is visible to all class participants, the specific items available within it may differ depending on the user. Below, we’ll outline these tools along with any related restrictions:
  • Page Number - The current slide's page number is displayed on the left side of the toolbar.
  • Previous Page / Next Page - Next to the page number are left and right navigation arrows, which allow participants to move to the previous or next page. These navigation arrows are only visible to Instructors and users on the podium.
  • Share Pointer - This option can be toggled to let the classroom see your mouse cursor's position in real time. It's especially useful for highlighting specific items in your presentation so participants can easily follow along. This feature is available only to Instructors and TAs. There are some important notes about this feature, which we'll list below:
    • When enabled, your cursor changes appearance to indicate that it is being shared.
    • The cursor is only tracked within the File Share view and, specifically, only over the area displaying the current page. If you move it outside this area (e.g., to the podium or another browser window), the cursor reverts to its default appearance, signaling that it is no longer being shared.
    • If multiple participants share their pointer at the same time, each cursor is displayed in a different color, with name badges shown alongside to identify the owner, as example in the below image:
  • Top-Right Controls - At the top-right of the page are additional controls:
    • Zoom In / Zoom Out - These two buttons are straight-forward--click them to zoom in or out of the document. This only affects your view of the document.
  • Annotate / Stop Annotate - Clicking this will enable annotation mode (or exit it). This option is only available to Instructors. We'll describe this feature later in this article.
  • Stop File Share - Click this to end the File Share. This option is only available to Instructors.

Annotate

When a File Share is active, Instructors can enable annotations  to allow the class to draw directly on the document, making it easier to emphasize key points and visually support discussion.

When annotation mode is activated, the slides are flattened into images to allow for drawing, so participants may notice a slight decrease in slide quality.

A left-hand toolbar with annotation tools and controls will appear, which we'll describe below:

• Select Object - Selecting this tool will allow you to select annotations on the canvas and interact with them, such as moving, resizing, and deleting them.
• Add Shape - Selecting this will expand a menu, offering several shapes you can select to be added to the canvas.
• Drawing - Select this to expand a menu, offering either a Brush or Pencil option for freehand drawing on the canvas.
• Highlighter - Select this to activate the highlighter tool.
• Add Text - Select this to add text to the canvas.
• Add Formula - Select this to add formulas to the canvas. You can key in the formula directly or use the on-screen keyboard to look for specific symbols.
• Add Note - Select this to add a sticky note to the canvas.
• Color - Select this to set the color associated with any annotations where color is applicable, such as drawing and highlighting.
• Remove Object - To delete an annotation object, select it and then click this. Alternatively, you can hit Delete on your keyboard.
• Undo My Last Action - Click this to undo your last action.
• Clear Board - Click this to delete all annotations. This tool is only available to Instructors and TAs.
• Settings - Click this to open the settings menu. This menu is only available to Instructors and TAs. Below are the settings options available:
  • Restrict Editing to Staff - Enable this to limit annotation to Instructors. The rest of the class participants will still see the annotation activities, they just won't be able to participate in it. When starting a File Share annotation, this option will be enabled, by default.
• Download Screenshot - This will take a screenshot of the annotated image and download it to your computer.