At the moment Google introduced that it will likely be ending assist for Jamboard, the whiteboarding software that was launched in 2016.
Google is ushering within the “subsequent part” of digital whiteboarding by partnering with Figjam, Lucidspark, and Miro, three merchandise with superior whiteboard capabilities.
Academics and college students can proceed utilizing Jamboard with none disruption by means of October 1, 2024. On this date, Jamboard will turn out to be read-only and also you won’t be able to create new Jamboard actions.
It’s disappointing when Google merchandise are ushered into the “Google Graveyard,” particularly a instrument that has been closely adopted by academics and has distinctive classroom functions.
I’ve created greater than a dozen classes with Jamboard. I understand how a lot time and power it takes to seek out and create these sources. Whereas Jamboard goes away, there are methods you can proceed utilizing the sources you might have created.
What about Jamboard {hardware}?
Colleges that bought the bodily Jamboard can proceed to make use of it by means of October 1, 2024. This date is the planed auto-update-expiration for this {hardware}. Help will and presently and performance might be restricted.
Alternate options to Jamboard
To be utterly sincere, Jamboard hasn’t acquired any important updates or new options in a few years and was beginning to really feel a bit outdated. Personally, I believe there are higher choices obtainable that may take the place of Jamboard.
Listed here are three glorious Jamboard alternate options.
Google Slides
If you wish to hold issues inside the “Googleverse”, Google Slides is a straightforward Jamboard different. Google just lately added the flexibility to annotate whereas presenting, virtually like they knew they wanted so as to add a drawing possibility earlier than they eradicated Jamboard. 🤔
Associated publish: Use Google Slides like a Trapper Keeper!
As a result of Slides and Jamboard share comparable web page sizes, it’s fairly straightforward to transform your Jamboard actions over to Google Slides, identical to I did with the lesson under.
The characteristic that Google Slides does NOT provide is the flexibility to attract within the editor. If drawing on slides is a vital characteristic for you, I believe it’s best to try Figjam.
Figjam
If you happen to just like the open-ended, collaborative really feel of Jamboard, you’ll really feel proper at house utilizing Figjam! This free instrument seems like a extra superior model of Jamboard with cool pens, widgets, stamps & stickers, and higher classroom administration instruments.
Figjam is 100% free for academics and college students. You’ll be able to join a free training account by visiting Figma.com/training.
Associated video: Figjam vs. Jamboard
Figjam is already built-in with Google Meet and is releasing an import instrument that may convert your present Jamboard actions into Figjam. The conversion instrument might be prepared later this yr. 🎉
I’ve been working and utilizing Figjam for almost a yr and it’s actually nice. Figma (the corporate behind Figjam) partnered with me to create a video sequence for academics which you’ll be able to view right here.
Canva
In case you are utilizing Canva to design banners, movies, and newsletters, it’s best to try their whiteboarding instrument. Is there something you CAN’T do with Canva?
Canva’s whiteboard software presents primary brainstorming instruments like sticky notes, shapes, strains, and free-drawing pens. It’s not as superior as Figjam, however has the entire fundamentals you’d count on.
Essentially the most spectacular side of Canva are the templates. If you’d like a fast method to get began with a Venn diagram, idea map, or timeline, Canva has one thing for you!
My one grievance about Canva is the complexity of sharing and managing shared recordsdata with others. The collaborative parts of Canva aren’t as intuitive as Google Drive or Figjam. If collaboration is your important focus, I believe one of many different choices could be a greater match for you. If you’d like college students to work independently on a whiteboard project, Canva will work very nicely.
Canva is free for academics and college students, however you could register for a free training improve by visiting cava.com/training. As soon as your account has been upgraded, you’ll have entry to the entire whiteboarding instruments.
So Lengthy, Jamboard 👋
Dropping entry to a instrument that you’ve got utilized in your classroom is disappointing. You CAN proceed to make use of Jamboard for the rest of the 2023-24 faculty yr. Subsequent yr, nevertheless, you’ll want to undertake a brand new instrument to take the place of Jamboard in your classroom.
