The Jamboard device (hardware) is an interactive whiteboard touchscreen display used for collaboration and bringing ideas together.

Learn more: cloud.withgoogle.com/hardware

Jamboard is also a stand-alone cloud-based application (software) that can be used for collaboration across multiple devices. Students can use this application to collaborate, create presentations, and bring together resources from other Google apps and the web.

Learn more: jamboard.google.com

 Jamboard is a Powerful Collaboration Tool

The number one feature of Google Jamboard is collaboration! If you have only used it for individual assignments, you’ve missed the boat!

Collaboration is the super-power of all of the Google tools.

Collaboration is one of 4 C’s, and critical for student learning.

Jamboard became a go-to during online learning, and we love how it integrates with all of your favorite Google tools.

Kim doesn’t recommend Jamboard as a presentation tool. We’ve got Google Slides for that.

Create Backgrounds for Interactive Jams

Teachers can easily create backgrounds in Google Drawings for students to interact with their learning in Jamboard–like graphic organizers.

By importing an image as your background, you can upload and “lock it” into the frame.

Once you have created your background, or saved it from somewhere else, like one of the templates from Kim’s book,

Go to “Change Background” from the top menu to upload your background image and lock it into place.

Related: How to Access Version History in Jamboard

Add Text, Images, and Other Media

Jamboard has a very easy-to-use toolbar that allows teachers and students to add different types of media to collaborate on the Jam.

• Use the pen tool to draw–whiteboard style, change colors, pen style, and width.
• Erase
• Add sticky notes
• Insert images from the web or upload from Drive
• Add shapes
• Insert text boxes
• Or even use the laser pointer to highlight as you collaborate

Jamboard Classroom Ideas

Jamboard is a fantastic collaboration tool for just about any content area in K12 and beyond. Kim recommends Jamboard from first grade and up. (Tip: Download the Jamboard app for the iPad!)

Related: The 4 C’s Learning Menu

Brainstorm with Sticky Notes: use sticky note responses to have students respond to a discussion question, review a concept, brainstorm ideas.

Iconic Story Writing: students use image icons to replace words to write a story.

Concept Maps/Charts/Diagrams/Brainstorming: Easily create mind maps, charts, and more using the shape tool

Geometry: use the pen tool to manipulate and rotate the shapes to teach angles.

Processes: insert images and animated images to illustrate processes and changes.

Graphic Organizers: by inserting image backgrounds, you can use just about any type of graphic organizer to help students learn and process information like t-charts, Venn diagrams, etc.

Get Creative with the Pen Tool: drawing in a whiteboard tool isn’t easy for everyone, but some students who will surprise you with their artistic abilities.

Insert Math Problems and Digital Manipulatives with Equatio: with the Equatio web toolbar, math teachers and students have math tools at their fingertips! (Get the Equatio Chrome extension here.)

Insert Bitmoji: Who doesn’t love BitMoji? Add some fun to your jams by inserting BitMoji images to reflect mood and engage students.

Use Screencastify to Record Jamboard Explanations, Learning, Reflections: Use the Screencastify Chrome extension to record and narrate over a Jam. This could be students explaining their learning, teaching others, talking through a process, or even a reflection.

Attach a Jam to a Google Classroom Assignment

You can distribute Jamboard assignments through Google Classroom.

When you create your assignment, click on “Add,” and select “Google Drive.”

Then navigate to the Jam you want to attach to your assignment.

Remember that Jamboard’s best feature is collaboration so you want to give each student access to edit the same file, or in groups.

How to Use Jamboard with Google Meet

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Learn more about Kim’s new book, Teaching with Jamboard.