I Spent a Week with Pencil Spaces—Here’s Why It’s the Game-Changer Tutors Have Been Waiting For

If you’re a tutor or educator, you’ve probably seen your fair share of online whiteboard tools.

Some are flashy, some are functional, and most are forgettable.

But what if I told you there’s a platform that not only works but wows?

A platform that’s so intuitive, so innovative, and so alive with possibility that it might just change the way you teach forever?

That’s exactly what I discovered during my week with the team from Pencil Spaces.

The Backstory: Why I Almost Said No

Since the pandemic, my inbox has been flooded with pitches from whiteboard platforms. Each one claimed to be the “ultimate solution” for online tutors.

And while I’ve been in the tutoring game since 2010 (yes, I started with Skype—no shame), I’ve learned to be skeptical. A whiteboard alone doesn’t excite me. I need tools that enhance my teaching, not just replicate it.

Enter Ayush, the persistent founder of Pencil Spaces. For two years, he reached out to me, promising his platform was different. I’ll admit, I hesitated. But when he offered me a free account to test it with my students, I decided to give it a shot.

The First Impressions: “Wait… This Is Actually Good?”

I moved five of my students over to Pencil Spaces to see how it would hold up in real-world tutoring sessions. Within three days, I was hooked. The platform was intuitive, the cobrowsing experience was seamless, and my students loved it. But what really stood out were the little details—features I didn’t even realize I needed until I started using them.

The Team Behind the Magic

At BETT, the largest edtech conference in the world, I got to meet the incredible team behind Pencil Spaces:

• Amogh (CTO): The brains behind the platform. A pure genius.

• Will and Amey (AI Developers): The masterminds behind Sparky, Pencil Spaces’ AI tool that creates lesson plans, grades assignments, and even generates similar questions in seconds.

• Ben (Head of Teaching & Demos): The guy who made the pyramids come alive during his BETT demo.

• Swati (COO): Ayush’s wife and the financial powerhouse of the team.

• Gloria: A Harvard student and my roommate for the weekend.

• Michael (The King of Video): The creative genius behind Pencil Spaces’ dynamic demo videos. He’s the reason the platform’s features look so polished and professional.

The BETT Experience: Pyramids, AI, and a Whole Lot of Chai

At BETT, Pencil Spaces didn’t just show up—they showed out. Ben’s demo was a masterclass in engagement. He used the whiteboard, map function, and Sparky to teach a lesson on the pyramids, complete with a live guest from Egypt. Sparky created a lesson plan in under 60 seconds, graded student work, and even provided feedback. It was like watching the future of education unfold in real time.

And let’s talk about the food. From Dishoom (home of the world’s best chai) to Thai cuisine, the team knows how to eat. I tried dishes I’d never even heard of, and yes, I brought home a bag of that life-changing chai for my daughter.

The Glitches, the Fixes, and the Unstoppable Team Spirit

Of course, no event is without its hiccups. On Day 1, the microphones didn’t work. But instead of panicking, the team adapted.

Ben used headsets, Ayush worked the crowd, and I jumped in to help wherever I could. By Day 3, the mics were fixed, and the booth was buzzing with energy.

What impressed me most wasn’t just the platform—it was the team’s commitment to improvement.

When I pointed out that the post-it note feature was useless for my students (the text was too small), Ben immediately called the team over and asked, “Can we fix this by Wednesday?” That’s the kind of responsiveness tutors dream of.

Must-Try Features for Tutors

Here are some of the standout features that make Pencil Spaces a must-try for tutors:

1. Sparky AI: Creates lesson plans, grades assignments, and generates similar questions in seconds.

2. Cobrowsing: Seamless collaboration with students in real time.

3. Map Function: Zoom in on locations (like the pyramids!) without leaving the whiteboard.

4. Customizable Tools: From letter tiles for kids to move around, rulers, protractors, and more—everything is designed with tutors in mind.

5. Integrations: YouTube, Google Docs, Desmos, and even ChatGPT are all seamlessly integrated.

6. Breakout Rooms: Perfect for group activities or one-on-one sessions within a larger class.

7. Recordings: Record sessions without the child being on camera, ensuring privacy and comfort.

The Bigger Picture: Why Pencil Spaces Stands Out

Pencil Spaces isn’t just another whiteboard. It’s a complete teaching ecosystem. From AI-powered lesson planning to real-time collaboration, it’s designed to make your life easier and your teaching more effective. And the team? They’re not just building a product—they’re building a community.

The Verdict: Should You Try Pencil Spaces?

In a word: Yes. Whether you’re a math tutor, a reading specialist, or an ACT Tutor, Pencil Spaces has something for you. It’s intuitive, innovative, and constantly evolving to meet the needs of educators.

And here’s the best part: You can try it for free. Click here to access your two-week trial and see for yourself why Pencil Spaces is the future of online tutoring.  If you decide to move forward with Pencil Spaces, use this coupon code to get $5 off PS2025.