This information explores among the choices out there for utilizing free on-line, browser-based interactive whiteboard software program without having to obtain or set up them.
I’ve written about the place to pay money for Interactive Whiteboard software program earlier than, (many occasions), however the panorama has modified once more since then with extra of the primary board producers growing software program that may run on-line in a browser. A couple of have been round for some time however their earlier incarnations had been horrible (taking a look at you Good Pocket book Specific!). There are various extra on-line whiteboards being developed by third-party builders too, of various high quality.
The advantages of on-line software program are many. Firstly, there’s nothing to put in, all of it runs by way of your internet browser, that is significantly helpful on faculty laptops which were locked down by an admin – you don’t want to put in something. You additionally don’t want to hunt out the varsity administrator for a serial quantity or activation code to have the ability to run the software program. Being on-line additionally means you’ll at all times be working the newest model of the software program without having to replace something. And the opposite benefit is that the whiteboard software program is platform unbiased – it’s going to run on PC’s, Macs, Chromebooks and often iPads too.
Lots of the on-line variations have higher collaboration options than the put in variations – there are methods of sharing your whiteboards with college students, giving them entry on their very own units, or working polls, quizzes and brainstorm classes from inside the software program.
The draw back is that they’re often not as totally featured as the normal offline variations of the software program, however the primary instruments are there. Some customers may recognize having much less whistles and bells to confuse issues. You could discover you want to replace your browser for the software program to run. You’re additionally on the mercy of the velocity of the varsity wifi in addition to any filtering the community has which could block options (or the entire web site!). All the time have a plan B in case issues don’t work.
The opposite benefit is that lots of them are free, or at the least free for primary use with additional options (freemium) in case you are prepared to pay for them.
Listed below are 6 on-line whiteboards you may need to strive:
Good Lumio: This can be a cut-down model of Good Pocket book with further collaboration options, and some premium extras if you happen to subscribe. Import the teachings you already use, mix present sources and improve them with customizable elements together with video games, collaborative workspaces and rather more. Then ship them to pupil units rapidly and simply, all from a browser. It additionally integrates with Google Drive or Microsoft Groups.
Promethean Classflow: This can be a cut-down, on-line model of Promethean ActivInspire. Like Good Lumio you possibly can create flipchart lesson information, share them with college students and incorporate collaborative options reminiscent of polls and quizzes. You may combine it with Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox. The outdated Promethean Planet market lives on inside Classflow the place you possibly can obtain a wealth of ready-made content material, some free and a few paid-for. Classflow itself is completely free, with all of the options out there with out further prices.
Prowise Presenter: Prowise Presenter is kind of a robust piece of on-line whiteboard software program that’s completely free. There’s all of the instruments you would wish, plus many cool interactive widgets, 3D photos and extra. I’ve produced a video information to Prowise 10, right here, and right here.
Google Jamboard: Google Jamboard is primary, nevertheless it’s nonetheless fairly useable. Don’t count on to get all of the options of one thing like Good Pocket book – there’s no strains/shapes and something made with a pen is fastened and might’t be moved. However if you would like freehand drawing, textual content notes and the flexibility to insert photos then there’s loads right here that may be put to good use. There are additionally primary lined paper and grid background choices. Nevertheless it’s the collaboration and sharing options that I actually like. Ship out the hyperlink to your college students they usually can all be drawing in the identical area (or simply viewing your file on their units). Jamboard would make an important brainstorming device to collate concepts from a bunch. You may see a information to getting began with Jamboard right here.
Whiteboard Chat: Whiteboard Chat is a digital whiteboard with collaborative studying options. It’s free to make use of (with paid extras), connects as much as 100 folks to a board concurrently, and exports boards to PDF.
Whiteboard.fi: Whiteboard.fi is a enjoyable easy device that can be utilized actually simply. Create a category and let your college students be a part of, utilizing a hyperlink, room code or QR code. Everybody will get a person digital whiteboard, the place they will draw, write textual content, make notations on photos, add math equations, and extra! The lecturers display screen will then present all the pieces the scholars are doing on their very own screens. I’ve made nice use of Whiteboard.fi when educating on Zoom over lockdown, getting college students to attract and share their concepts.
I’ve put a video collectively which demonstrates every of those:
I’ll attempt to make some extra detailed movies on every of those within the close to future.
If there are some other on-line whiteboards you want, please share them within the feedback beneath.
