Ten Things to Love About Jamboard

 1. It is a part of Google's suite of apps. 

On a computer you can create a new Jam in Google Drive or access Jamboard in the apps menu. Anything you create automatically saves to your Google Drive. You also have the option to download your Jams as a PDF or image file.

2. It works on computers, tablets, and phones. 

You can use Jamboard on nearly any device. Download the app for Andriod and iOS devices or access it through your Internet browser.

3. You can use it like a whiteboard.

Jamboard gives you basic whiteboard tools. You will find a pen, marker, highlighter, paint brush, eraser, and laser pointer tool.

The Jamboard app also includes assistive drawing tools that recognize handwriting, shapes, and drawings. Your input can be changed to typed text, digital shapes, or clipart. The best way to make use of these tools is through a tablet with a stylus.

4. You get more helpful tools.

Jamboard includes other helpful tools beyond the basic whiteboard tools. You can also add a sticky note, a few basic shapes, text boxes, and images. 

The Set background tool allows you to add colors, patterns, or any image file to the background of the frame. This makes it possible to use Jamboard for digital worksheets, activities, graphic organizers, and more. Read last week's post to learn about using Jamboard in a digital writing process.

5. Jamboard has many options for adding images

You can upload images from your device, take them with a built-in camera, do a Google image search,  or locate them in your Google Drive or Google Photos library.

6. You can add multiple frames.

A jam can be a single frame or can contain multiple frames to include more Jam pages in a single file. You can duplicate an existing frame, reorder your frames, and delete individual frames from your file.

7. You can share with collaborators.

You can share Jamboard files just like any of the other files in your Google Drive. Share the file with individuals or by using a link. Make sure to select the appropriate access rights for your collaborators based on how you need them to interact with the file.

This makes Jamboard great for group brainstorming sessions and for designing activities to assign in your Google Classroom or other LMS. I especially love Jamboard for drag and drop or sorting activities.

8. It is easy to present Jams in Google Meet.

You can call up a Jam on the fly in an active Google Meet. Simply find Whiteboard in the menu and select if you want to start a new one or choose a file from Drive. This opens your new or pre-made Jam in a new window and simultaneously gives a link in the chat that will open the Jam in a new tab. You can also present the window with your Jam if you would rather share your screen.

Tip: Make sure to check the access rights to your Jam so students are not accidentally editing a file you only want them to view. 

9. You can add content from your Google Drive using the Jamboard app

When you are working on a mobile device or tablet you can easily add Drive content. Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and photos in your Drive are all able to be added directly into the Jam. 

10. It's easy to learn.

Visit the Google Jamboard Teacher Center and the Jamboard Help Center to access videos and articles on Jamboard to learn how to use the basic functions of the app.