/
Zoom Whiteboard

Zoom Whiteboard

06/06/2023

The Zoom Whiteboard

The Zoom platform includes a Whiteboard tool that was updated in 2022 with new collaboration features. Students can access a Whiteboard from a Zoom meeting (synchronously), or directly through a web browser outside of a scheduled Zoom meeting (asynchronously). Whiteboards provide an excellent means of gathering student feedback or supporting online group work.

Zoom Whiteboards can be created before class using the Zoom desktop client (during or outside Zoom meetings) or by accessing the Zoom web portal. 

Watch the Zoom Whiteboard in action

The following video uses paper plane design as an example to illustrate how collaborative brainstorming can work on a Zoom Whiteboard. 

Preparing a Zoom Whiteboard

  1. Access Zoom Whiteboards from the online Zoom Web portal, or alternatively the Whiteboards button from the Zoom application. 

  2. Click on All Whiteboards to view existing, or click +New whiteboard to create a Whiteboard.



  3. Choose a template to start from and then click Use template, or alternatively close the template window with the X in the top right to start with a blank Whiteboard instead.



  4. Use the Whiteboard Tools to prepare the Whiteboard. You can add more pages if required. Click on the Share button to email students or generate a web link.

Zoom Whiteboards within a meeting

You can create a new Whiteboard or open an existing one within any Zoom meeting.

  1. Start the Zoom meeting.

  2. Click on the Whiteboard button 

    located at the in-meeting controls (near the bottom of the Zoom screen).

  3. Click New Whiteboard 

     to create a new blank whiteboard. Alternatively, choose an existing Whiteboard to open.
    Check the permissions and access settings and then click Open and Collaborate.

  4. Students are now ready to use the Whiteboard tools to interact and collaborate. If students are unable to access the tools, click the Whiteboard button and double-check that the All participants can edit option has been selected (you can use this to allow/disallow access on the fly).

  5. You can export the Whiteboard at the end of the whiteboard activity by selecting Export > PDF from the top right dotted menu (next to Share).



  6. To stop sharing the Whiteboard click on the Close Whiteboard button at the top of the Zoom Application window.

Sharing a Zoom Whiteboard outside a meeting

  1. Any opened Zoom Whiteboard can be shared with other collaborators using the Share Whiteboard button.

  2. You can choose to Send an email or Copy Link to share a web link with students.

  3. Students open the link to view the Zoom Whiteboard and interact depending on the permissions set.

Watch learning with Zoom Whiteboards

Watch the following video as a guide to the new tool and for ideas on how you might use it to engage and facilitate active learning in your Zoom sessions.

Zoom Application Whiteboard updates

Note that the latest Zoom application updates now include the same Whiteboard features as the Zoom web portal. Please ignore the video comments below about the magnification and image tools not working in the Zoom Application as this is no longer correct.

 

Make sure to consider

  • Where a Whiteboard activity draws upon a design process, model or theory, ensure this is adequately explained before students start the activity.

  • Provide enough time for all students in the class to participate.

  • Divide students into groups so that everyone has a role to play in the Whiteboard activity.

  • Consider how students can use the comments tool (e.g. asking questions or identifying flaws).

  • Wrap up the activity with a summary of what was developed, so that students understand the relevance of the whiteboard activity to the unit.

  • Make the Whiteboard available to any students who could not attend the live class, preferably allowing them to participate when they are able to. 

Locking Whiteboards

Lock the Whiteboard to remove all student access once an activity is complete (or at the end of term). From the Zoom Application or Zoom web Portal, open the Whiteboard, click on the dots at the top right and choose Lock Board.

Further resources

Zoom has developed a comprehensive support guide: Getting started with Zoom Whiteboard.

Explore some great teaching ideas in the following Zoom article: Zoom Whiteboard Tips for Teaching and Collaborating in the Classroom.