Welcome to an exploration of a versatile tool that could enhance your educational experience. Today, we delve into Microsoft Whiteboard, a digital tool that offers simplicity and functionality for educators and learners alike.
Microsoft Whiteboard is a digital canvas that allows users to collaborate and brainstorm ideas seamlessly. Comparable to Google’s Jamboard, this tool is accessible on the web and various app platforms, making it a convenient choice for those within the Office 365 ecosystem. Despite its understated presence, it has garnered a respectable three-star rating, indicating its potential usefulness in educational settings.
The strength of Microsoft Whiteboard lies in its simplicity. It offers essential tools such as different pen types, an arrow tool, and a rainbow color palette. Users can also access a highlighter, eraser, and lasso tool for selecting items. Text can be added easily, enhancing the board’s functionality.
Additional features include the ability to arrange and duplicate items, as well as an accessibility feature that allows for the addition of alt text, making it compatible with screen readers. The inclusion of emojis adds a visual element that can make lessons more engaging.
One of the standout features of Microsoft Whiteboard is its variety of templates, such as the KWL chart, which are particularly useful for educators. The infinite canvas allows for extensive brainstorming and idea mapping, although it does not support resizing the entire canvas, which could be a limitation for some users.
For classroom activities, the tool offers fun templates like “Two Truths and a Lie” and “Mad, Sad, Glad,” which can facilitate student engagement without overwhelming them with complexity.
Microsoft Whiteboard makes collaboration straightforward by allowing users to create shareable links. This feature is particularly beneficial for educators looking to engage students in interactive learning experiences.
In summary, Microsoft Whiteboard provides a streamlined set of features that are easy to use and highly functional. Its accessibility and cost-free nature make it an appealing option for educators seeking a reliable digital whiteboard. Whether you are facilitating a lesson or collaborating on a project, Microsoft Whiteboard offers a practical solution.
We hope you find this tool as useful as we do. Stay tuned for more educational tools and resources. Thank you for joining us!
Take a hands-on approach by exploring Microsoft Whiteboard’s features. Open the tool and experiment with different pen types, colors, and the highlighter. Try adding text and using the lasso tool to select items. This activity will help you become familiar with the basic functionalities of the whiteboard.
Invite your peers to a collaborative brainstorming session using Microsoft Whiteboard. Use the infinite canvas to map out ideas and organize them using the available templates. This will enhance your collaborative skills and demonstrate the power of digital brainstorming.
Utilize the variety of templates available in Microsoft Whiteboard to design a lesson plan. Incorporate elements like the KWL chart to structure your lesson. This activity will help you understand how to effectively use digital tools in educational settings.
Use the “Two Truths and a Lie” or “Mad, Sad, Glad” templates to create a fun and engaging activity for your peers. This will allow you to explore the creative potential of Microsoft Whiteboard and understand how to make learning more interactive.
Create a shareable link of your whiteboard project and invite feedback from your peers. Reflect on the collaborative process and the feedback received to improve your future projects. This activity will enhance your ability to share and collaborate effectively.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hey everyone, it’s Chrissy and Tanner from Common Sense Education. We’re exploring a new vibe today. How do you feel about this? I feel like I’m in a restaurant bathroom that’s too expensive for my taste, like the Cheesecake Factory.
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Okay, enough of that! Welcome back! As you know, we are here every Tuesday to share tools that might be useful for you as an educator. Today, Tanner has something interesting to share with us. Tanner, what is it?
I don’t know if we’re talking about something “epic” in the traditional sense, but Microsoft has a whiteboard tool that I didn’t know existed until a couple of weeks ago. I’m surprised I didn’t know about it earlier. Microsoft has a whiteboard tool similar to Google’s Jamboard, which is quite popular and has received good reviews.
Microsoft’s whiteboard tool is completely free and available on the web as well as various app platforms, making it very accessible. For those of you in the Office 365 environment, you may already be familiar with it, but if not, it’s worth checking out. It received a three-star rating from us, which is still a good rating, and I think it’s recommendable under certain circumstances.
One of the things I like best about it is its simplicity. It’s not overly complicated like some other tools we’ve discussed in the past. You have your typical pen types, a nice arrow tool, and various options including a rainbow color palette. It also has a highlighting tool, an eraser, and a lasso tool for selecting items. You can add text as well.
It has some other nice features like arranging items, duplicating them, and an accessibility feature for screen readers where you can add alt text to describe items on your whiteboard. There are emojis available, which can add a visual flair if you’re facilitating a lesson or projecting your whiteboard.
The standout feature for me is the templates available. For example, there’s a KWL chart you can use. The canvas is infinite, allowing you to zoom in and out. One minor drawback is that you can’t resize the entire canvas, which I found a bit limiting while experimenting with it. However, the templates are quite handy and educator-focused.
There are also some fun templates for classroom activities, like “Two Truths and a Lie” or “Mad, Sad, Glad.” These can be great for engaging students without overwhelming them with too many features.
Overall, Microsoft Whiteboard has a good, stripped-down set of features that make it easy to use. You can create a link to share your work with students, making collaboration straightforward.
So, that’s Microsoft Whiteboard! It’s quick, easy to explain, highly functional, and totally free. What’s not to love?
Just like Microsoft Whiteboard, we’re here to provide useful tools every Tuesday. Thanks for joining us! Tell your friends, like, subscribe, etc.
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See you next week!
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This version removes any informal language and maintains a professional tone while conveying the same information.
Microsoft – A leading technology company known for its software products, including the Windows operating system and Office suite, widely used in educational and professional settings. – Microsoft Office is an essential tool for students to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations efficiently.
Whiteboard – A digital tool that allows users to draw, write, and collaborate in real-time, often used in educational environments for interactive learning. – The teacher used a digital whiteboard to illustrate complex concepts during the online class.
Education – The process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, and habits, often supported by technology in modern settings. – Online platforms have revolutionized education by making resources accessible to students worldwide.
Collaboration – The act of working together with others to achieve a common goal, often enhanced by digital tools in educational and professional contexts. – Collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams enable students to work on group projects seamlessly, even from different locations.
Templates – Pre-designed formats or layouts that provide a structure for creating documents, presentations, or other digital content, saving time and ensuring consistency. – Using templates in PowerPoint helps students create professional-looking presentations quickly.
Usability – The ease with which people can use a particular tool or system to achieve their goals effectively and efficiently, crucial in educational software design. – The usability of the new learning management system was praised by both students and faculty for its intuitive interface.
Accessibility – The design of products, devices, services, or environments to be usable by people with disabilities, ensuring equal access to educational resources. – Ensuring accessibility in educational software allows all students, regardless of their abilities, to participate fully in learning activities.
Learning – The process of acquiring new knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching, often supported by digital tools in modern education. – E-learning platforms have transformed the way students engage with learning materials, offering interactive and personalized experiences.
Tools – Software applications or digital resources that assist in accomplishing tasks, often used in educational settings to enhance teaching and learning. – Teachers use various digital tools to create engaging and interactive lessons for their students.
Students – Individuals engaged in learning, typically enrolled in educational institutions, who benefit from technology-enhanced educational experiences. – Students today have access to a wealth of information and resources online, which supports their academic growth.
