Jamboard

Google's electronic interactive whiteboard

Getting Started: Teaching with Jamboard

  • Use Jamboard in a class through screen share in F2F or in synchronous sessions (NOTE: in Zoom, students could also work on Jamboards in Breakout Rooms)
  • Change sharing settings so that your participants can edit and then share the link
  • Use the text tool to type or sticky notes
  • If students will be adding to the Jam - consider a template (make a copy of someone else's Jam or use an image/slide/graphic organizer as the custom background image)
  • Annotate remotely on an app or at jamboard.google.com​ put a Jam link in Moodle via Google Assignments or any way you share links and students can do their own, individual Jam.

33 STEPS

1. The first step is to open Google Jamboard and click New Jam

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2. Click "Untitled Jam" Rename. Consider adding the word template in your title and then making copies of the Jam for different class sections/meetings/etc.

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3. Type a descriptive name for the Jam

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4. Click OK

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5. If you want to create a template with a chart, image, etc. for students to add content to, click Set background. This step is optional. You can create a blank Jam and then share it.

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6. Click the image plus option to set a custom background.

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7. Find the background image you want to use in your Google Drive, on your computer, or online

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8. When you choose an image online or saved somewhere, click Set As Frame Background

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9. Add any sticky notes, text, shapes, etc. that you want on the Jamboard template for students. 

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10. If you add sticky notes, you can use the 3 dot icon to add duplicates of the sticky note. Click the 3 dot icon in the corner of the sticky note.

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11. Click Duplicate

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12. With your mouse, click and drag the sticky notes, shapes, etc. that you have added.

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12b. Drop

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13. To get a link you can share with students so they can edit, click Share. 

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14. Change the sharing options to "Share with North Carolina State University" if you want students to log in or choose "Anyone with the link".  

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15. Change "Viewer" to "Editor" if you want students to be able to add to the Jamboard.

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16. Click Editor

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17. To copy the link and then paste it into Moodle, Zoom Chat, a class slideshow, etc. click Copy link. Then paste it somewhere students can access it.

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18. Click Done

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19. Click Jamboard home to find the Jams you have created or have been shared with you.

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20. To make a copy of an existing Jam to share with a class, click a Jamboard file.

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21. After the Jamboard opens, click More Actions

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22. Click Make a copy

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23. Click Name and rename the file including descriptive information about who will be using the Jam i.e. Section 001 or Semester, Course Title, etc.

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24. With your mouse, select text and rename.

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25. Click OK

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26. Click Share to set the sharing settings and get a link to copy and send to students.

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27. Share with specific people/students OR select "Share with North Carolina State University" to get a link to share with students.

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28. Click the appropriate audience to share the Jamboard.

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29. Change Viewer to Editor if you want people with the link to be able to add to the Jamboard.

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30. With your mouse, hover Done

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31. Click Copy link

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32. Click Done and then paste the link in an email, website, Moodle, Zoom chat, etc. for students/people to access.

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33. That's it. You're done.

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Here's an interactive tutorial

https://www.iorad.com/player/1832286/Google-Jamboard--Setting-Up-for-Class-Use

Jamboard Teaching Resources

3 Ways to Use Jamboard Video
Jamboard Teaching Ideas
Tom Mullaney Jamboard YouTube Playlist
​Tom Mullaney Jamboard Overview and Resources
Wakelet of Jamboard Ideas
Google for Education Jamboard Ideas
​Jamboard Synthesis Idea
TEMPLATES -->
​10 Jamboard Templates for Distance Learning
Breakout Room Roles
Slidesmania templates
Reflection Template

Meetings & Collaborations

  • Create a meeting using Google Hangout or Jamboard app
  • Jamboard appears as a participant in the Hangout
  • Move from "Frame" to "Frame" to navigate between pages of content
  • Jamboard has a microphone and speaker, but limited volume
  • Save a PDF of the screen or send a link to Google Drive

Visit the Jamboard Help Guide for more detailed information on features and how-to instructions!
Accessibility:  the web version of Jamboard is essentially a graphical chat space/collab space/brainstorming space. It merges drawing as well as text and is not accessible to users of screen readers. This is also true when instructors in classrooms use a physical whiteboard. Strategies: narrate what is drawn or typed on the whiteboard. Distribute whiteboard information in a different, more accessible format. If the content is essential/significant maybe don’t use a digital whiteboard. If you are using the physical Jamboard, gestures are possible, and the use of the Android "TalkBack" app(opens in new window).​

Jamboard Alternatives (not more accessible):
  1. https://canvas.apps.chrome/ (not collaborative - just simple drawing)
  2. https://whiteboard.fi/ 
  3. http://miro.com (needs an account, 3 free boards)
  4. http://whiteboard.chat (boards last for 7 days in free account)
  5. http://onenote.com (Microsoft notebook with drawing and collaborating tools)

Whiteboard Recording
  1. Screen Capture software while using a digital whiteboard (Zoom (also has a built- in annotation that could be used like a whiteboard), Panopto, Screencastify, Loom)
  2. Flipgrid
  3. Apps: Explain Everything and Educreations