Users Guide

TV-to-Web Companion

Use your phone or computer alongside the Roku TV for interactive features like homework, tests, and shopping.

What is the Companion App?

The Companion App is the web-based counterpart to the Roku TV channel. While the Roku TV excels at delivering video content on a big screen, many educational activities require typing, form input, and interactive elements that are better suited to a phone, tablet, or laptop. The Companion App bridges this gap.

Think of it this way: the TV is for watching, the companion is for doing. Together, they create a complete learning experience that takes advantage of the best features of each device.

No App Store Download Required The Companion App is a web application that runs in your browser. There is nothing to install from the App Store or Google Play. Simply open your browser and navigate to the URL provided by your school.

How It Works with Roku TV

The Roku TV and Companion App work together through the shared backend API. Both devices communicate with the same server, which means any action taken on one device is immediately reflected on the other. Here is how the connection works:

  1. Watch content on Roku TV

    Start a lesson or browse a channel on your television. The TV is optimized for video playback with its large screen and remote control.

  2. See a QR code or deep link on screen

    When the TV encounters an interactive element (homework prompt, test notification, or store item), it displays a QR code or a short URL on screen.

  3. Scan with your phone or type the URL

    Point your phone camera at the QR code, or type the short URL into any browser on your computer. You will be taken directly to the relevant page.

  4. Complete the interactive task

    Submit homework, take a test, or complete a purchase on the companion. The experience is fully responsive and works on any screen size.

  5. Actions sync back to the TV

    When you finish the task on the companion, the TV automatically updates to reflect the completed action. For example, after submitting homework, the TV screen shows a confirmation.

TV-to-Web Companion Flow

The diagram below shows how the Roku TV and Companion App work together for interactive tasks:

TV-TO-WEB COMPANION FLOW Roku TV Displays video content Shows QR codes for actions QR Code / Deep Link scan Scan / Open QR or type URL opens Web Companion Interactive tasks Homework, Tests, Store COMPANION ACTIONS Submit homework Take tests & quizzes Complete purchases View grades & progress Send innovation ideas Backend API Syncs Both Devices in Real Time Both devices connect to the same FastAPI backend (port 8065) and share the same user session via OTROTL SSO. Watch progress, submissions, grades, and purchases are all synchronized through the central database.

Interactive Features on the Companion

The Companion App provides several interactive features that complement the Roku TV viewing experience:

Homework Submission

When a homework assignment is linked to an episode, the Roku TV will prompt you to open the companion. On your phone or computer, you can type your response or upload a file directly. The companion provides a full text editor for longer answers, and supports file uploads for documents, images, and more.

Test Taking on Mobile

Tests and quizzes are taken entirely on the companion since they require selecting answers, typing responses, and navigating between questions. The test interface is fully responsive, so it works well on phones, tablets, and desktop browsers. A timer (if enabled by the teacher) is visible at the top of the screen throughout the test.

Store Purchases

You can browse the digital store on the Roku TV, viewing product thumbnails, descriptions, and prices on the big screen. When you are ready to purchase, the TV shows a QR code that opens the checkout page on your phone. This is more convenient (and more secure) than entering payment details with a TV remote.

Multi-Screen Sync

The following diagram shows how data flows between the Roku TV and Web Companion through the central backend, keeping everything synchronized:

MULTI-SCREEN SYNC ARCHITECTURE Roku TV (Video Playback) • Stream lessons • Browse channels • Browse store • View progress • Display QR prompts Backend API (Central Data Hub) Watch Progress Homework Submissions Test Attempts & Grades Purchases & Orders Enrollments & Sessions Web Companion (Interactive Tasks) • Submit homework • Take tests • Checkout & pay • View grades • Watch on mobile send progress receive updates send submissions receive data Both devices share the same session and data through the central API — changes appear instantly on both screens

Supported Devices

The Companion App works on any device with a modern web browser. No special software or app download is required.

Google Chrome

Fully supported on desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile (Android). Recommended for the best experience.

Apple Safari

Fully supported on macOS and iOS (iPhone, iPad). The default browser for Apple device users.

Mozilla Firefox

Fully supported on desktop and mobile. A solid alternative for users who prefer Firefox.

Microsoft Edge

Fully supported on Windows and macOS. Based on the same engine as Chrome, so compatibility is excellent.

Tips for the Best Companion Experience
  • Keep your browser up to date for the best performance and security.
  • When scanning a QR code from the TV, make sure your phone camera can focus clearly on the code. If it does not scan, try moving closer or adjusting the angle.
  • Bookmark the companion URL on your phone for quick access without needing to scan a QR code each time.
  • If you are taking a timed test, make sure you have a stable internet connection before starting. Losing connection during a test may cause issues.
  • The companion works in both portrait and landscape mode on mobile devices. Use whichever is more comfortable for the task at hand.
Important The Companion App requires an active internet connection to function. All data is stored on the server, not locally on your device. If you lose connectivity, your work may not be saved until the connection is restored.