The rise of video conferencing will surely change the way of working and studying, at least for a good part of the people. Rather than designing a physical whiteboard display panel, Microsoft simply created an interactive whiteboard application that could be added to mobile devices. In an effort to increase the collaborative potential of the application, the developers also created a version that is compatible with devices from other platforms, such as Apple.
What is Microsoft Whiteboard
There is one element that is not usually missing in a classroom or meeting room: the blackboard. It does not matter whether it is the classic chalk or the most modern marker pens, a blackboard allows complement the explanation so that all viewers understand what is meant graphically. And it is just what is missing in a videoconference; hence the Microsoft Whiteboard application, now standalone and in the form of an Android application.
And it is only suitable for professional and educational accounts: Microsoft Whiteboard is not available for individual company accounts. Beyond here there are no more impediments other than how simple the software is displayed.
Microsoft Whiteboard is a virtual whiteboard on screen that is open to those who want to connect. The app enables the option to share access to other contacts: once shared, and as long as everyone uses Whiteboard, the screen will show what each person draws. Also what you write, there are no more options.
Colored markers (four), an eraser to remove your own lines, a tool to write with the keyboard and a note that can be placed on the board as a Post-It (with customizable background color). He has no more. Nor less.
The cloud-based application, which is based on the simple name “Microsoft whiteboard”, provides the same basic tools for drawing, writing and multi-user communication as many of the most popular digital whiteboard products.
Although it can be applied to any field, it is certainly more focused on offering a series of features specifically aimed at improving the educational experience. Teachers can take advantage of built-in translation tools that automatically provide live captions and subtitles for PowerPoint presentations, and can enhance their math lessons with built-in OneNote reader options, for example.
Therefore, the quality of Microsoft Whiteboard is to offer a virtual writing and drawing support to those who are participating in a meeting or class. The presenter can draw on the board so that others can see what they want to say; always with the option of having another participant make touch-ups on the drawing in order to collaborate with the speaker. In addition, the whiteboard allows you to zoom with the pinch gesture on the screen. Y has a changelog, something very important to see the previous modifications made.
How to create a virtual whiteboard to share ideas
Before discovering how we can create one, there are several things to consider, in order to have a better experience with the whiteboard. If you decide to use the virtual whiteboard on a tablet or touchscreen computer, you can use a pen or graphic tablet instead of the keyboard for writing on the whiteboard.
We have to say that when you have been wearing it for a while it is much more comfortable to use it like this. But keep in mind that the font size will not be homogeneous and it can come out bigger than with the keyboard.
There are two types of virtual whiteboards that you can use:
- Virtual whiteboard for video conferencing programs
- Virtual whiteboard external to video conferencing programs
Read a whiteboard in Microsoft Whiteboard, step by step
Once we have downloaded the app, the next thing to do is log in, where we recommend using a company or educational account, which can be both a teacher and a student. By registering, you will immediately have access to create a new board. You will directly enter the panel where you can start writing or drawing. Remember that you have several tools to use, such as the pencil, the keyboard to add text in a homogeneous way, notepads and symbols to add circles, arrows and other elements.
Beyond editing, we have the obvious possibility of adding more people to said virtual whiteboard, generating a link, as if it were a video call. In accessing the settings, we have the options to send comments to improve the service and even export as an image in PNG format what is captured on the board, undoubtedly the most interesting function of the menu.
To get the most out of a virtual whiteboard and to help us in our work instead of hindering it, we must be very clear what structure is our class going to have and what resources are we going to use in it.
I tell you this because if you are going to use images, a file in whatever format, videos or any other resource, you will need:
- know if the virtual whiteboard allows you to enter those resources
- how you are going to integrate with each other within the canvas of the virtual whiteboard
- what font size to use
- know whether or not you are going to use the virtual whiteboard on a device with a touch screen
