Jamboard

👉What is it?

Jamboard is a collaborative digital whiteboard tool which can be used annotate, draw, add files, pictures, and more. It is built in with the G Suite tools and integrated with Google Meet. Jamboard can be used on computers, Chromebooks, Apple devices, and Android devices. Think of it almost as your whiteboard, but with the ability to save your writing, add files and pictures, and share with students to view or edit. 

Students are able to collaborate on the Jamboard with you and do not have to be in the same room. You have the option for students to only view the Jamboard or to give editing rights. If you choose to give them editing rights, you can always change it back to view only once everyone is done editing and post it on Google Classroom as a review tool. Students can work out math problems, research and keep notes, create a digital presentation with a partner/group, brainstorm, and so much more.

- One important item to note.... while students are working in real-time, you are able to see who is doing what. However, after they close out of it, you won't be able to see who edited it. Make sure you have students put their name somewhere with their work if completing as a whole-class. 

💻How to Use It...

On a computer, open Jamboard either from Google Drive by clicking New, then click more, and find Jamboard. It can also be opened through the Google 9 dot dashboard in the top right corner of your chrome tab. If you are on a tablet (Apple or Android), download then open the app. On a Chromebook, go to the Google Play Store and install it. It can also be accessed at jamboard.google.com.

Features missing from the Computer Version:

• Handwriting recognition
• Autodraw
• Shape recognition
• Insert content from Google Drive 

Jamboard can be inserted as an assignment/material in Google Classroom. Add as an attachment from Google Drive and choose which type of rights students have (view only, all can edit, or make a copy for each student). 

🎥 Watch the video of the tools below ⬇

📢Classroom Ideas

Brainstorm with sticky notes

Students can brainstorm for a project or writing piece using sticky notes. Create a Jam with Beginning, Middle, and End pages as well as character development pages. 

Create Words with Sticky Notes (primary grades)

Put letters/blends on sticky notes and place them on the page. Have students create words from the letters/blends. You could color-code vowels and consonants with the different colors. 

Use as a Whiteboard tool to teach

Open up the Jam with your projector and display to your board. You can also use screen share to share into a Google Meet if you have students that are virtual. They can watch you work out problems on both screens (if you're teaching virtually and in-person this is helpful). Since you are able to add in your notes into the Jam with the app using the Drive feature or on your computer using the picture feature, students can easily follow along as you complete your notes. 

Create an Add-On Story

Since Jamboard can be used collaboratively, begin a story and have each student add on with to the story with a different page. 

Use Jamboard for Math

Give students a math problem to work out and either have them collaborate in a group or work out individually. Students can show their work with the text drawing tool. For younger students, it can be used for Calendar math. Just put the calendar template in and let them work to complete it. 

Online Poll

Post a poll for students to vote on using sticky notes. This could be an idea for beginning a lesson/unit or as an exit ticket. 

Other Ideas....

• Research
• Drag and drop activities (you can add text boxes in the computer-based version)
• Virtual gallery walks
• Exit tickets
• Mind maps

There are so many other ideas you could use Jamboard for in your classroom. Just search Jamboard on twitter and you'll see tons of great ways to implement it! How do you use Jamboard? If you don't use it already, do you have ideas of how you could?