If you, like a lot of us what with one thing and another, are currently teaching online via tools like Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams, then you might often find a need for an online whiteboard tool. There are whiteboard tools built-in, but they are sometimes lacking in features. And maybe you want to provide a shared space to allow students to do some drawing and to share it with everyone else.

If you’re interested in trying something like this out, then here are 5 online whiteboards you might like to try.

Whiteboard.Fi

Whiteboard.Fi is a streamlined online whiteboard that requires very little setup. You create a class, then send the code to your students via the chat or in an email. They are able to draw on their whiteboard – and you can see every board on your teacher page. It’s simple to use – no class creation and setting up of logins required. I’ve had it working with classes of 20 or so students and it was pretty painless. New features allow you to part draw something then push it out to every student in the class. Handy if you want them to complete a diagram.

So for instance in a session recently I wanted to start with a quick challenge to the students to draw the organs in the human body. We used Whiteboard.fi to do this – all the students drawing in real time on phones and tablets (and a few using pen and paper and holding it up to the cameras!).

Whiteboard.fi is free, but running a Patreon if you want to support further work. Check it out!

AWW (A Web Whiteboard)

AWW – A Web Whiteboard is very simple whiteboard application that lets you use your computer, tablet or smartphone to easily draw sketches, collaborate with others and share them with the world. Online boards can be embedded elsewhere or shared online via a link.

Google Jamboard

Google Jamboard provides a free piece of annotation software to use on your interactive whiteboard as an alternative to the expensive offerings of SMART and Promethean. It also has some rather nifty sharing and collaboration features that might make it interesting to some teachers. It comes as part of Google Drive and Google for Education, so you’ve probably already got access even if you didn’t realise it.
Google Jamboard running on an ipad

Canvas Chrome App

This Chrome web app gives you several pen options, different colors and an eraser. There’s not a lot to it, but that’s sometimes a good thing.  You can export your drawing as a PNG file when you’re done, or pull up the same drawing on your phone, and vice versa. There’s no collaboration features, but if you’re looking for a quick app, then it’s worth a look.

Scribblar

Using Scribblar, users can collaborate on their own online whiteboard or “room” – featuring many of the familiar tools. You can upload your own images where you and others can edit it or comment on it. Scribblar isn’t free, you’ll need to sign up for a paid account (but you can trial for 14 days).

Notebookcast

Notebookcast is a free online whiteboard that allows you to share whiteboard space with any devices. You don’t need to install any software, it runs within your browser. Like any whiteboard software you can draw and add images and shapes. Once you have created a board you can share it with up to 10 users, all of whom can add to the drawing in real-time. This would be good for collaborative work.

Other whiteboards

In addition, also check out the online whiteboard offerings from the major IWB companies – Smart Learning Suite Online, Promethean Classflow and Prowise Presenter.

Got any other favourites? Share them in the comments below.