1.11 How to Create a Class Code and a GeoGebra Lesson

GeoGebra Classroom allows you to turn an Activity or Book into an interactive class lesson. After the lesson is created, GeoGebra generates a lesson code and a student link. Students can use either option to join.

During the lesson, you can view student progress, see which tasks students have started, review responses, pause the lesson, and display answers without showing student names. GeoGebra’s Help Center refers to these live classroom sessions as GeoGebra Lessons, while parts of the website may use the terms Class or Classroom.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Explain the purpose of GeoGebra Classroom

• Create a lesson from an Activity

• Generate a lesson code

• Share the code or student link

• Explain how students join the lesson

• Monitor student progress

• Review student responses

• Pause and resume a lesson

• Hide student names when presenting responses

• Locate a lesson after it has been created

Step 1: Understand the Difference Between an Activity and a Lesson

A GeoGebra Activity is the instructional Resource students complete. It may contain:

• Directions

• Applets

• Open-ended questions

• Multiple-choice questions

• Images

• Videos

• Web pages

• PDF files

A GeoGebra Lesson is the live classroom session created from that Activity.

The Activity contains the learning tasks. The Lesson allows the teacher to distribute those tasks and monitor students as they work.

Creating a Lesson does not replace or change the original Activity. It creates a classroom session based on that Resource. GeoGebra Lessons can be created from individual Activities or from Books containing multiple Activities.

Step 2: Understand What GeoGebra Classroom Can Do

GeoGebra Classroom allows teachers to:

• Assign interactive tasks

• See student progress in real time

• Identify tasks students have or have not started

• Review applet work

• View open-ended responses

• View multiple-choice responses

• Ask questions and discuss student work

• Hide student names when displaying responses

• Add another teacher to the lesson

• Pause and resume student work

GeoGebra Classroom can be used during in-person, hybrid, or online instruction.

Step 3: Prepare the Activity

Before creating a Lesson, open and test the Activity you plan to assign.

Confirm that:

• The Activity has a descriptive title.

• The directions are clear.

• All applets load correctly.

• Sliders and movable objects work.

• Questions match the applets.

• Multiple-choice answers are accurate.

• The tasks appear in the correct order.

• Students know when they have completed the Activity.

Complete the Activity as though you were a student before creating the live Lesson.

Changes made to the Activity after a Lesson is created may not automatically appear in the existing Lesson. Finish and test the Activity first whenever possible.

Step 4: Sign In to GeoGebra

You must be signed in to create and manage a GeoGebra Lesson.

1. Open the GeoGebra website.

2. Select Sign In.

3. Sign in to your GeoGebra account.

4. Confirm that your profile icon or username appears.

Your account allows you to create Resources, assign them to students, and manage your classroom lessons.

Step 5: Locate the Activity

You can create a Lesson from one of your own Activities or from a public Activity.

To use one of your Activities:

1. Open your GeoGebra profile.

2. Open the MINE section.

3. Locate the Activity.

4. Open the complete Activity.

To use a public Activity:

1. Open Resources.

2. Search for a mathematical topic.

3. Filter the results to show Activities.

4. Open the Activity.

5. Review and test it before assigning it.

A public Activity can be used as published, or you can make a copy and revise it before creating the Lesson.

Step 6: Create the Class Lesson

After opening the Activity, look for the classroom-assignment option near the upper-right portion of the page.

Depending on the version of the GeoGebra interface, the option may be labeled Create Class or may appear as a classroom or assignment option.

1. Open the Activity.

2. Select Create Class.

3. Enter a name for the Lesson when prompted.

4. Confirm that you want to create the Lesson.

5. Wait for the teacher dashboard to open.

GeoGebra’s current classroom templates direct teachers to select CREATE CLASS from the Activity page. The Help Center refers to the resulting classroom session as a GeoGebra Lesson.

Step 7: Give the Lesson a Descriptive Name

Use a title that clearly identifies the class, topic, or period.

Avoid names such as:

Lesson

Activity 1

GeoGebra Class

Use a descriptive name such as:

Period 2 - Quadratic Transformations

Geometry - Triangle Centers Investigation

AP Calculus - Derivative Graphs

Algebra 1 - Systems of Equations Practice

When using the same Activity with several classes, include the class period or section in the Lesson title.

For example:

Period 1 - Quadratic Transformations

Period 3 - Quadratic Transformations

This makes the student results easier to organize.

Step 8: Locate the Lesson Code

After the Lesson is created, GeoGebra provides information students can use to join.

This commonly includes:

• A Lesson Code

• A student link

• Sharing options

The Lesson Code is created automatically. You do not need to invent the code.

Copy the code exactly as it appears. Avoid adding spaces or changing capitalization.

GeoGebra’s Classroom page includes a field where students can enter a Lesson Code and join the classroom session.

Step 9: Copy the Student Link

In addition to the Lesson Code, GeoGebra provides a direct student link.

1. Locate the sharing or invitation area.

2. Select the option to copy the student link.

3. Paste the link into the location students will use.

You may share the link through:

• Google Classroom

• Schoology

• Canvas

• Email

• A class website

• A digital agenda

• A presentation

• A QR code created from the link

The direct link usually provides the simplest joining process because students do not need to type the Lesson Code.

Step 10: Decide Whether to Share the Code or Link

You can use either method.

Share the Lesson Code when:

• Students are joining from the GeoGebra Classroom page.

• You are displaying the code on the classroom screen.

• Students are working on different devices.

• You are giving verbal directions during class.

Share the direct link when:

• Students are using an LMS.

• You want students to open the Lesson with one selection.

• The Lesson is assigned for homework.

• Students may complete the Lesson outside class.

It is useful to provide both the direct link and Lesson Code in case one method does not work on a student’s device.

Step 11: Have Students Join with the Lesson Code

Students can join by opening the GeoGebra Classroom page.

1. Students open GeoGebra Classroom.

2. They locate the Lesson Code field.

3. They enter the code.

4. They select Join.

5. They enter their name or sign in when prompted.

6. They confirm that the correct Lesson appears.

Students should enter a recognizable name so you can identify their work.

For example:

Bryant Cooper

or, when you prefer first name and last initial:

Bryant C.

GeoGebra Classroom currently provides a dedicated Lesson Code field and Join button for students.

Step 12: Decide Whether Students Should Sign In

Students can participate in a GeoGebra Lesson without creating a GeoGebra account. This makes it possible to begin a classroom session quickly.

However, students working as guests may not be able to return to their work after closing the Lesson. Students who sign in can connect their work to their GeoGebra profile and access it again later.

Ask students to sign in when:

• The Lesson will take more than one class period.

• Students may need to continue later.

• You want their work associated with their account.

• The Lesson is assigned outside class.

Guest access may be appropriate when:

• The Lesson will be completed in one sitting.

• Students do not have GeoGebra accounts.

• You are using the Activity for a brief exploration.

• Saving work for later is not necessary.

Step 13: Confirm That Students Joined

Return to the teacher dashboard.

As students join, their names should begin appearing in the Lesson.

Before students begin:

1. Compare the number of names displayed with the number of students participating.

2. Look for duplicate names.

3. Identify students who used unclear nicknames.

4. Confirm that everyone opened the correct Lesson.

5. Ask students not to begin until you have completed the directions.

When a student appears more than once, the student may have opened the Lesson in multiple tabs or joined again using another name.

Step 14: Introduce the Lesson

Before students begin working, explain:

• The learning objective

• The task they will complete

• Which applet controls they should use

• Which questions they should answer

• Whether they may work with a partner

• Whether they may move ahead

• How much time they have

• What they should do when finished

For example:

Today you will investigate how changing a, h, and k affects the graph of f(x) = a(x - h)^2 + k. Move only one slider at a time and answer each question before continuing.

The Lesson Code gives students access to the Activity, but it does not replace clear classroom directions.

Step 15: Monitor Student Progress

The teacher dashboard displays the tasks contained in the Activity.

Depending on the Activity, the tasks may include:

• Applet interactions

• Open-ended questions

• Multiple-choice questions

• Notes or drawing tasks

• Other Activity elements

Use the dashboard to determine:

• Who has joined

• Who has started

• Who has not started

• Which task each student is completing

• Which students may need assistance

• Which tasks are causing difficulty

GeoGebra Classroom provides live updates about student progress and identifies tasks that students have or have not started.

Step 16: Review Applet Work

Select an applet task from the teacher dashboard.

You may be able to see the current state of each student’s construction, including:

• Slider positions

• Movable-point locations

• Graphs

• Geometric constructions

• Written or drawn work inside a Notes applet

Use the applet view to identify common misunderstandings.

For example, students may:

• Move several sliders at once

• Use incorrect starting values

• Construct the wrong object

• Change an object that should remain fixed

• Create a graph outside the visible window

Do not rely only on whether a student opened the task. Review the mathematical work shown in the applet.

Step 17: Review Question Responses

Select an open-ended or multiple-choice task.

For an open-ended question, review:

• Whether students responded

• The mathematical accuracy of the response

• The vocabulary students used

• Common misconceptions

• Examples that would support class discussion

For a multiple-choice question, review:

• How many students selected each answer

• Whether one incorrect answer was selected frequently

• Whether students may have guessed

• Whether the question needs clarification

GeoGebra Classroom allows teachers to see student responses and use them during whole-class discussion.

Step 18: Hide Student Names Before Presenting Responses

Before displaying student answers to the class, use the option to hide or anonymize student names.

This allows you to discuss:

• Correct reasoning

• Partial understanding

• Common misconceptions

• Different solution methods

• Examples that need revision

Hiding names helps keep the discussion focused on the mathematics rather than on the student who submitted the response. GeoGebra Classroom includes an option to anonymize student names when displaying responses.

Step 19: Pause and Resume the Lesson

Use Pause Lesson when you need all students to stop working.

Pause the Lesson when you want to:

• Give new directions

• Discuss a common misconception

• Demonstrate part of an applet

• Review a student response

• Regain the class’s attention

• Prevent students from moving ahead

When the Lesson is paused, students must wait until you resume it.

After the discussion:

1. Select Resume Lesson.

2. Confirm that students can interact with the Activity again.

3. Tell students which task they should continue.

Step 20: Use the Lesson for Formative Assessment

The live dashboard can help you decide what to do next.

For example:

• When many students choose the same incorrect answer, pause and reteach the concept.

• When students are using different successful methods, display examples for comparison.

• When one student is stuck, provide individual support.

• When most students demonstrate understanding, continue to the next task.

• When students finish at different times, provide a challenge or reflection task.

GeoGebra Classroom is most useful when the live information changes your instructional decisions.

Step 21: End the Lesson

Before students leave:

1. Ask students to complete the final question or reflection.

2. Confirm that their responses were submitted.

3. Remind signed-in students that their work may be available through their profile.

4. Tell guest students whether they need to finish before closing the page.

5. Pause the Lesson when you no longer want students making changes.

Do not delete the Lesson immediately. Keep it available while reviewing student work.

Step 22: Locate the Lesson Later

To reopen a previous Lesson:

1. Sign in to GeoGebra.

2. Open Classroom from the GeoGebra menu.

3. Locate the Lesson.

4. Open the teacher dashboard.

5. Review the student list and task results.

Use descriptive Lesson names so you can distinguish between:

• Different class periods

• Different school years

• Practice and assessment versions

• Repeated uses of the same Activity

For example:

2026-2027 - Period 2 - Quadratic Transformations

Step 23: Create Separate Lessons for Separate Classes

When teaching the same Activity to several class periods, create a separate Lesson for each period.

For example:

Period 1 - Quadratic Transformations

Period 3 - Quadratic Transformations

Period 5 - Quadratic Transformations

Each Lesson receives its own code and student list.

Separate Lessons prevent student results from different class periods from being combined in one dashboard.

Step 24: Create a Lesson from a GeoGebra Book

A GeoGebra Book contains multiple Activities.

When creating a Lesson from a Book, GeoGebra may allow you to choose between:

• Assigning the complete Book

• Assigning one Activity from the Book

Choose the complete Book when students need access to the entire instructional sequence.

Choose one Activity when students are completing only one part of the Book. GeoGebra’s Classroom tutorial includes a specific workflow for creating a Lesson from a Book.

Recommended Lesson Setup

Before giving students the Lesson Code, confirm that you have:

• Tested the complete Activity

• Created a descriptive Lesson name

• Copied the Lesson Code

• Copied the student link

• Decided whether students should sign in

• Prepared directions for joining

• Prepared instructions for the mathematical task

• Opened the teacher dashboard

• Decided when students may begin

Common Problems and Solutions

The Create Class Option Does Not Appear

Confirm that:

• You are signed in.

• You opened the complete Activity.

• You are not only viewing a search preview.

• The Resource is an Activity or Book.

• You are using a current browser.

Look for a classroom, assignment, or sharing option near the upper-right area of the Resource.

Students Receive an Invalid Code Message

Check that:

• The code was entered exactly.

• Students did not add spaces.

• Students opened the GeoGebra Classroom joining page.

• The Lesson has not been removed.

• You shared the code from the correct class period.

Try sharing the direct student link instead.

Students Joined the Wrong Lesson

Confirm that the title shown on their screen matches the Lesson you created.

Create separate Lessons and codes for each class period.

Student Names Do Not Appear

Ask the student to:

1. Confirm that the correct Lesson is open.

2. Complete the joining process.

3. Enter a name when prompted.

4. Refresh the page.

5. Rejoin using the direct link when necessary.

A Student Appears More Than Once

The student may have:

• Joined with two different names

• Opened the Lesson in more than one browser

• Rejoined after closing the page

• Joined as both a guest and a signed-in user

Ask the student which entry is currently active.

Students Cannot Return to Their Work

Students who joined as guests may not be able to access their work after closing the Lesson.

For multi-day Lessons, have students sign in before beginning.

The Teacher Dashboard Is Not Updating

Try the following:

1. Confirm that the student is working in the correct Lesson.

2. Refresh the teacher dashboard.

3. Confirm that the student has an internet connection.

4. Ask the student to interact with or submit the task.

5. Reopen the Lesson from GeoGebra Classroom.

Lesson Practice

Complete the following steps:

1. Sign in to GeoGebra.

2. Open one of your completed Activities.

3. Test the Activity.

4. Select Create Class.

5. Give the Lesson a descriptive title.

6. Locate the Lesson Code.

7. Copy the student link.

8. Open the student link in a separate browser window.

9. Join the Lesson as a practice student.

10. Enter a practice name.

11. Complete part of the Activity.

12. Return to the teacher dashboard.

13. Confirm that the practice student appears.

14. Review the student’s progress.

15. Open an applet task.

16. Open a question response.

17. Practice hiding the student name.

18. Pause the Lesson.

19. Resume the Lesson.

20. Reopen the Lesson from the Classroom section.