How to Fix the Upside Down Writing Problem in Face-to-Face Tutoring

If you’ve ever tutored someone across a table using a laptop or tablet, you’ve probably run into this: you write something on your screen, but from the student’s side, it’s upside down. Diagrams, math problems, even simple notes become hard to follow.

This issue comes up a lot in face-to-face tutoring. Most digital whiteboards aren’t designed for two people sitting across from each other. They work fine for remote learning, but not for in-person setups where the student sees your screen from the opposite side.

Why This Happens

The problem is simple. You’re writing on a device that faces you. The student, sitting across from you, sees everything flipped. Since most whiteboard tools just show one view, the student gets a reversed version of what you’re writing.

Some tutors try to fix this by rotating the screen, physically turning the tablet, or sitting side-by-side. Others go back to pen and paper. These workarounds can help, but they’re not always practical.

A Simple Fix

DualBoard is a whiteboard app built to solve this exact problem. When you write or draw on the bottom canvas, the top canvas shows a mirrored version rotated 180 degrees. You draw like normal, and your student sees everything right-side up.

It works in real time and requires no setup. You just open the page and start drawing.

What It Supports

• Pen, touch, or mouse input
• Different brush sizes and colors
• Undo and redo
• PNG export if you want to save your work
• Works in the browser on most modern devices

The interface is simple and focused. It’s meant for actual use during tutoring sessions, not for showing off features you won’t need. A good whiteboard for tutoring should be easy to use, responsive, and allow both tutor and student to follow along clearly.

When It’s Useful

DualBoard is most helpful in person, when you and your student are on opposite sides of a screen. It works especially well for:

• Math tutoring
• Language instruction
• STEM subjects with visual explanations
• Any situation where clear writing matters

Try It

You can use it for free at DualBoard.app. No account or install required.