Goodnotes Education uses two main modes for creating lessons, teaching classes, and grading assignments. Here's how each mode works and when to use them.
What are the different Modes?
Prep Mode This is where you build your lesson content and create assignments for students. In Prep Mode, you can collaboratively create lessons with all the exercises and materials needed for a class, then share them with students. You can return to Prep Mode anytime to add content, modify materials, or create new assignments.
Teach Mode This mode is designed for live instruction and grading. Teach Mode includes two different functions:
- Whiteboard: Use this during live teaching. Everything you write or draw here appears only on your device and external display—students won't see these annotations on their devices. This is perfect for working through problems, making notes, or highlighting key points during class without permanently marking up the lesson materials.
- Feedback: This is where you grade submitted assignments and review student work. You can provide comments, corrections, and scores that students will receive directly in their app.
Switching Between Modes
You can switch modes using the navigation bar at the top of your screen. Look for the mode toggle icons to switch between Prep and Teach modes, and within Teach Mode, you can toggle between the Whiteboard and Feedback functions.
When to Use Each Mode
Use Prep Mode when:
- Creating new lesson materials
- Setting up assignments with Answer Zones
- Preparing interactive content with tools like the Tape Tool
- Organizing class resources and documents
Use Teach Mode - Whiteboard when:
- Leading live lessons or demonstrations
- Working through problems step-by-step
- Making temporary notes that students don't need to see
- Highlighting content during presentations
Use Teach Mode - Feedback when:
- Reviewing submitted student work
- Providing grades and written feedback
- Tracking student progress on assignments
Getting Started
The beauty of this system is its flexibility—you can seamlessly move between creating content, teaching live lessons, and providing feedback, all within the same lesson document. This keeps your workflow smooth and ensures students always have access to the most current materials.
For detailed guides on using each mode effectively, check out our dedicated articles on Prep Mode and Teach Mode.