Teacher View for Lessons
The Teacher View provides an expanded, full-screen interface for viewing lesson content with structured sections, making it easier for teachers and leaders to navigate through lesson materials during class time.
Before You Begin
- Your church must have lessons scheduled in a plan. See the B1 Admin guide on Scheduling Lessons for details.
- You need to be assigned to the plan or have access to view it on your B1.church site.
Opening Teacher View
To access the expanded teacher view for a lesson:
- Navigate to the Plans section on B1.church
- Open the plan that contains the lesson you want to teach
- Find the lesson in the plan items
- Click on the lesson to view its details
- Click the Teacher View or Expanded View button
The lesson will open in a full-screen interface optimized for teaching.
Teacher View is especially useful when projecting lesson content on a screen or TV for the class to see, or when teaching from a tablet.
Teacher View Features
Tabbed Navigation
The teacher view organizes lesson content into sections using tabs across the top:
- Each major section of the lesson appears as a separate tab
- Click any tab to jump directly to that section
- The active section is highlighted in the tab bar
- Tabs make it easy to skip around to different parts of the lesson
Scrollable Content
The main content area displays the full lesson materials:
- Scroll through the lesson naturally
- As you scroll, the active tab automatically updates to match the section you're viewing
- All formatted text, images, and instructions are displayed clearly
Media Playback
When lessons include videos, images, or other media:
- Click on any media item to open it in a popup player
- Videos play in a dedicated video player with standard controls
- Images open in a lightbox for full-screen viewing
- Close the media player to return to the lesson content
Downloadable Resources
If the lesson includes downloadable files (activity sheets, coloring pages, etc.):
- Download buttons appear for each resource
- Click to download files directly to your device
- Files can include PDFs, images, or other materials provided by the content creator
Using Teacher View in the Classroom
Before Class
- Open the lesson in Teacher View before class starts
- Review all sections and familiarize yourself with the content
- Download any printable resources you need
- Test any videos or media to ensure they play correctly
During Class
- Keep Teacher View open on your device or project it on a screen
- Use the tabs to jump between sections as you progress through the lesson
- Play videos or show images at the appropriate times
- Scroll through instructions as needed without losing your place
On a Projected Screen
When projecting for the class:
- The full-screen layout removes distractions
- Large, readable text makes content visible from across the room
- Click media items to show videos or images to the whole class
- Navigate using a wireless mouse or trackpad
Closing Teacher View
To exit the teacher view:
- Click the Close button (X) in the top corner
- Or press the Esc key on your keyboard
- You'll return to the plan details view
Mobile and Tablet Use
Teacher View works on tablets and mobile devices:
- Tablets -- Perfect for teachers who want a portable lesson guide
- Phones -- Also supported, though the smaller screen may be less ideal for teaching
- Landscape mode -- Provides the best viewing experience on mobile devices
Differences from Regular Lesson View
| Feature | Regular View | Teacher View |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Compact, inline with plan | Full-screen, dedicated view |
| Navigation | Scroll only | Tabs + scroll with auto-highlighting |
| Media | Embedded in page | Popup player for focused viewing |
| Screen space | Shows other plan items | Maximized for lesson content |
| Best for | Browsing and planning | Teaching and presenting |
Best Practices
- Prep in advance -- Review lessons in Teacher View before class to familiarize yourself with the layout
- Bookmark sections -- Note which tabs contain key activities or discussions
- Test media -- Ensure videos and images load properly before class time
- Download resources early -- Don't wait until class time to download printables
- Use a larger screen -- Project or use a tablet for the best teaching experience
Troubleshooting
Lesson doesn't open in Teacher View
- Ensure the lesson has been properly scheduled in the plan
- Check that you have permission to view the plan
- Refresh the page and try again
Videos won't play
- Check your internet connection
- Ensure your device allows media playback
- Try opening the video in a separate tab
- Some content providers may have restrictions on video playback
Content appears cut off on mobile
- Rotate your device to landscape mode
- Zoom out slightly if needed
- Consider using a tablet or larger device for better visibility
Related Articles
- Viewing Plans -- Access your assigned plans
- Lessons -- Browse and view lesson content
- Scheduling Lessons -- Admin guide to scheduling lessons in plans