Curious about the tech? Take a look here!
What platforms do you use for calls, and why?
As of 2026, I utilise a self-hosted platform called LetsMeet, running on a Zoom backend.
What technology do we require?
As I now use multiple platforms, including MoodleLMS, Microsoft 365, and LetsMeet, you will need a suitably powerful device, although any Mac from the last 6 years or most Windows 11 devices are fine. The full list of requirements can be found here. Chromebooks are not supported.
Do you have any IT top tips for a successful lesson?
Consider your broadband thoroughly. If your broadband may struggle with a virtual session and concurrent streaming, you may want to consider a family timetable of reduced online activity during tuition sessions.
For lighting and environment, a place to sit where your child is not backlit is very helpful (e.g. if your child is sat with a bright window behind them, the camera will focus on the lighting, and your child becomes silhouette-like!). A reasonable sized desk where they can have their computer, paper for workings, and an exercise book is extremely useful.
Ask your child to join every lesson 20 minutes early. Even if they log in and then leave the computer while they do something else, joining early means any issues with the webcam, microphone, software, updates or anything else can be resolved before the scheduled start time.
If you have parental controls, check these will not interfere. See if you can ‘whitelist’ georgehalltuition.com and lms.georgehalltuition.com from your parental controls. If you cannot do this, you may want to consider disabling these during tuition sessions.
I’m looking to invest in IT resources for tuition. What could you suggest?
A stable broadband connection is essential; consider whether your package with your provider will be suitable. If your child’s device is far from your router, consider Powerline extenders, or a “mesh” WiFi system like Orbi.
Particularly in the younger years, a home printer is phenomenally useful. This enables me to follow your childs needs on a lesson by lesson basis and ensure they have access to the appropriate resources.
If your background may be noisy, a good pair of headphones with a mic are worth considering. Many phone manufacturers include a free pair in handset boxes; alternatively, wired earbuds are sold from the likes of WH Smiths for £15, and good wireless headphones can be bought for £30 in Argos.
Particularly at GCSE, a good tablet cannot be understated. Your child will be able to complete all of their homework from me paperlessly through a compatible tablet, and they will be able to use the tools of their tablet to stay organised with school work. In my years of experience, no tablet has ever been able to compete with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S line of tablets. I have used an S6 Lite and an S9 FE Plus, both as successfully as the other. The included S Pen, Samsung Notes, full browser and compatibility with Office make them all around phenomonal study tools.
At all ages, a large screen for your child to be able to read shared content is essential. You may want to consider a desktop computer, or an external monitor of a sensible size.
If you’re considering a new computer, I recommend a Mac. Macs are known to last, and ‘go wrong’ significantly less than their Windows counterparts. As of my research in March 2024, a 2007 iMac is still capable of using the latest version of Zoom to access meetings.
I, or another household adult, enjoy tinkering with IT. Are we allowed to tinker with the IT for tuition?
Yes, to an extent. You are absolutely welcome to tinker on your system for anything tuition-related, as long as this doesn’t violate any copyright laws or change anything on my system.
However, you are strictly prohibited from any tampering that may impact systems for myself or other students. This includes, but is not limited to, reverse engineering Microsoft 365, tampering with systems such as the LMS, using malicious tools to run a DDOS attack on my website or LMS, partaking in phishing attacks to gain access to private credentials, uploading malware to an email, LMS upload or file transfer, using a malicious RAT on my system, etc.
Any tinkering that results in a DDOS event or damages my system will trigger an investigation by myself and my IT contractors. Should evidence come to light that suggests you knowingly and intentionally caused disruption, any time spent by myself or freelance IT contractors will be billable to you or your family. A parents meeting will be called to present the evidence and discuss next steps, which may involve involvement from the local authority. In severe cases, the police will be involved.
How does LetsMeet work?
Click the ‘LetsMeet’ icon in your child’s Moodle course.
I have a disability and need a specific accessible platform. Can you accommodate this?
I can do my best! Please contact me to discuss this.
What technology do you use?
For a mobile phone, I use a Honor 400 Lite. For a computer, I use a 14″ M1 MacBook Pro, alongside AirPods Pro 3. I also utilise a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ FE 5G for all sessions.