Whiteboards have now replaced chalkboards in most classrooms, and good dry-erase markers are gold. The next logical step? Digital whiteboards! With many schools relying on online learning these days, a digital whiteboard app like Google Jamboard makes it easy to collaborate regardless of where students and teachers are. Here is the overview of this EdTech must-have.
What is Google Jamboard?
Jamboard is a whiteboard app that is part of Google’s G Suite; B. Google Slides or Google Classroom. The app is designed to be used with Google’s 55-inch interactive whiteboard display with cloud technology, which comes at a fairly high price. Fortunately, the completely free Jamboard app works on its own with the laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets you already use in your classroom.
Teachers set up a jamboard and invite students to collaborate. Children can add notes (using the keyboard, pen or fingertip), post pictures, draw pictures and much more. There is no limit to the number of boards or the number of students who can work together. You can save your boards, export them as PDFs, and share them with your students using Google Classroom or other learning management systems. You can find lots of Jamboard tutorials and training from Google here.
Jamboard ideas and activities for teachers
Anything your whiteboard can do, jamboard can … and much more. Here are some of our favorite free templates, activities, and other ideas to try with your class. To use a Jamboard template, you must first save a copy of it to your Google Drive. Then you can edit it and use it with your students.
1. Handwriting templates
Demonstrate handwriting and have students take turns copying your work. Get five different handwriting templates from Alice Keeler.
2. Magnetic letters
Magnetic letters are a classic educational toy, that’s why we love this digital version! Get this activity from Third Grade Doodles.
3. Base 10 blocks
If you don’t have enough base 10 blocks to bypass them, or need to use them in an online setting, try this digital version. You can find the template here.
4. Calendar of the morning meeting
Take your morning get-together online! This interactive jamboard calendar provides space for weather, seasons and counting exercises. Get it here.
5. Place the value grid
Practice the place value with this template. Remember, you can change the numbers on the digital sticky notes so you can use them over and over again! Add it to your collection here.
6. See, think, wonder
Teach children how to question the world around them by creating thought routines. This emoji template is cute enough for younger kids, but the process works for any age. Find it here.
7. Create a diagram
Digital sticky notes make it easy to graph almost anything in Jamboard. You can find more information on this idea in the Chromebook Classroom.
8. Vocabulary
This is easy, fun, and very effective. Simply create a chalkboard for each of your current vocabulary and ask students to contribute sticky notes, pictures, or other elements to help define them. Learn more from Third Grade Doodles.
9. Take a survey
Divide a chalkboard into several pieces and ask students to place a sticky note with their name next to their choice. For a deeper dive, have them write the reason for their choice on the note as well. Learn more from Spark Creativity.
10. Brain dump
Brain dumps are great for review or exit tickets. Students record everything they can remember about a topic or concept. It’s also a fun way to introduce a new topic and find out what kids already know. See how it works in the Chromebook Classroom.
11. Numerical equations
Deal with word problems with this template. Show students how to break down the information and convert it into an equation to get the correct answer. Get this template for free from Teachers Pay Teachers.
12. Peer Editing
Use this template to help students edit each other’s creative writing. You can edit the instructions to use them for nonfiction as well, e.g. B. for essays. You can find the template here.
13. Sort the wall
You can use a sorting wall in pretty much any grade for any subject. Have students sort animals or plants in biology, vocabulary in English or foreign language classes, presidents in history class … the possibilities are endless! Get the details from the Chromebook Classroom.
14. Sentence maker
Think of this idea like the ever-popular magnetic poetry. Students select words and create a sentence adding the correct punctuation. In just a few words, keep it simple for younger students; Add more words for older children. Discover this idea in the TEFL Zone.
15. Shapes and patterns
The shaping tool built into Jamboard makes it easy to learn basics such as triangles, circles, and squares. You can also work on recognizing and creating patterns. Susan Stewart has more information.
16. Digital yearbook
Virtual schooling and social distancing make it difficult for kids to get together and sign each other’s yearbooks. Try a jamboard instead! Each student creates his own and offers it to friends to sign. Smart! Read more at Chemistry Is My Jam.
17. Label a diagram
Publish a diagram and have students label and explain the parts. Use it for science topics or try for timelines in history class or parts of sentences in English. Get this free cell chart template here.
18. Compass position
The world is full of shades of gray, especially when it comes to opinions and points of view. Use this template to explore different points of view on any topic. Find it here.
19. Comment on a reading
Jamboard makes it easy to comment on text in collaboration with your class. Search by subject, identify literary devices, illustrate concepts, and more. Learn more from Spark Creativity.
20. Quadradic equations
Graph quadratic equations on this template. There are several built-in problems, but you can edit and add your own to reuse over and over again. Get the template for free at Teachers Pay Teachers.
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