Take 5 for Tech

Digital Whiteboard Lessons & Meetings Rule! (Sept. 20, 2024)

Farewell to Google Jamboards

I have some good news and some bad news. Let's start with the bummer first. For those Google Jamboard lovers out there, Jamboard whiteboards are are going away and we're almost to that first sunset date, Oct. 1st.

October 1st, 2024:

You can still view and use Jamboards.
The interactivity & editing function will be no longer.
They can be downloaded as a PNG image or PDF file.

January 1st, 2025:

You will no longer be able to view or use your Jamboards.
Actual Jamboard file is removed from your Drive.
If you haven't done it already, your Jamboards will be downloaded into your Google Drive as PDFs automatically.

But never fear there is an even more robust and fun way to using whiteboards and sharing them with your classes. So whether you're an avid former Jamboard user or a person who has never tried to use a whiteboard collaboration tool, the good news is now is a great time to try with one of my great loves, CANVA!

And while there's SO MUCH TO LOVE about Canva, for this newsletter, I'm only going to address whiteboards since Jamboards are quickly coming to an end. However, never fear, there will be more about Canva in the coming days and months.

goodbye Jamboard & HELLO Canva!

There are many cool tools that can be used to replace Jamboards, but I'm partial to Canva. (And it's not just becuase I'm obsessed with all things Canva!)

Here are a few more resons why I think Canva Whiteboards are cool. Canva has:

tons of cool templates already so you don't have to start from scratch
lets you take presentation slides and quickly turn into (and out of) a whiteboard
a built in timer to keep the lesson or activity moving
more handy features like "Shape Assist" & "Quick Flow"
comments enabled to give directions and better collaborate
cool graphics, pictures & videos Waiting for you in Elements
the AI generated images feature

Do It: Prepare & Play with Canva Whiteboards (8-Minute Activity)

Canva has sets of hands-on activities that allow you to "play with" features. This is one that they created so beginners can explore their digital whiteboards.

How to Use Canva Whiteboards

Canva Whiteboard Templates

Whiteboard templates can be searched by style, theme, feature or color. When you find one that you like & click on it to investigate, it gives you "More like this."

Getting a Pro Canva Account

Because we are a school & non-profit organization, the Canva company generously gives us access to its Pro Version! Many people already have their Canva accounts established. If you've never used it, please go to Canva.com and login using your school Google credentials. This will automatically give you access with "Student" permissions. To upgrade the account to the teacher role, please email me at Winnie.Milner@mywccc.org to request the change. Thanks!

Meetings Can Be Much Better With Whiteboards

Wait, what if I'm not a teacher, can a whiteboard be helpful to me? If I'm a team or committee member, can I use it? If I'm in adult education, may I use it?

In all cases, YES, you can! And I hope that you do. Forget the giant Post-its and sticky notes. Digital whiteboards can make brainstorming sessions easier.

People can brainstorm in person or virtually.
Colloboration can be done synchronously or asychronously.
Whiteboards can be shared easily after the session and continually updated.
Online boards can be given out as a team or individually collated to mambers of your group.
Canva has a plethora of busines-type organizers like project scope summaries and flow charts.

Click "Share" and type in your teammates' emails and you can begin. (No, they don't have to have a Canva account to participate!) If they already have an account, just click the "plus sign" to add them or email an invitation.

Your Invitation to Whiteboard Collab!

Let's Play Together & Whiteboard Asynchronously

I created a Whiteboard for us to play around with. Anyone with WCCC credentials has access to Edit it.

Other Handy Resources

Are you still not sure Canva is the whiteboard tool for you? That's totally okay. Here are a few additional resources that give you more information to make your own informed decision.