Bytesize 4: Using Google Jamboard in Online Lessons as an Interactive Tool
In the fourth NET Section Bytesize, we would like to introduce a few ideas on using G-Suite apps, in particular Google Meet and Google Jamboard, to enhance your online lessons in the event that schools return to remote learning. The ideas were presented at a recent Regional Cluster Meeting by Mr Wattie CHAN, the secondary NET at Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College in Chai Wan. Wattie has created instructional videos to take you through his ideas, step by step.
A. Using Google Meet paired with another device (e.g. an iPad) to create a virtual whiteboard with Google Jamboard
In this instructional video, Wattie shows you how he sets up Google Meet on his main computer, pairs it with his iPad, and then creates a virtual whiteboard using Google Jamboard.
Here are the steps:
- Start a Google Meet lesson.
- Before your students join the lesson, click on the pin icon in the upper righthand corner of your screen to pin 'your view' to the screen.
- Find the Google Meet 'joining info' and locate the Personal Identification Number (PIN). You will need this PIN to pair your tablet. (Make sure the tablet has the G-Suite apps already installed.)
- Open the Google Meet app on your tablet and join the Google Meet lesson by entering the PIN.
- Turn off the camera and microphone in Google Meet (on your tablet). You must also turn the volume on your tablet all the way down until there is no sound. This will prevent feedback.
- Since 'your view' is pinned on the main computer, you should now be able to see the same view on your tablet.
- Tap the three dots at the bottom of the tablet screen to pull up the pop-up menu. Tap 'Share Screen' to share your tablet screen and then tap 'Start Broadcast' to begin broadcasting.
- Once you are broadcasting, return to the home screen of your tablet, find the Google Jamboard app and open it.
- On your main computer, look under 'People'. You should see that both of your devices are signed in. You will now 'pin' the second device (i.e. the tablet) by hovering the mouse over the image of the screen (under People) and clicking on the pin icon.
- Your virtual whiteboard is ready. Whatever you write or draw into the Google Jamboard on your tablet (with a stylus or your finger) will be broadcast on the main computer screen. Use the assistive drawing tool in Google Jamboard to turn your handwriting into text!
Jamboard can also be used with Zoom as an interactive activity with the students.
B. Using Google Jamboard as a virtual whiteboard for online interactive activities
In the second instructional video, Wattie presents a few examples of the online interactive activities he conducts with his students using the virtual whiteboard created with Google Jamboard.
In the video, he shows us how he:
- gets his students to use virtual sticky notes to respond to True/False questions or to brainstorm ideas on various topics;
- creates templates using the text and shapes features in Jamboard and how he protects the templates with hidden text boxes (very clever!);
- duplicates his templates to set up interactive group work activities that he can monitor in real time;
- shares his Jamboard templates with the class during online lessons; and
- manages students who are off task by changing their status to 'view only' (leading to teachable moments in digital citizenship).
If Google Jamboard is completely new to you, please have a look at this tutorial video to learn the basics. (See number 3.)
Disclaimer
To enhance the teaching content, teachers can exercise their professional judgment and consult relevant scholarly work when adopting the learning and teaching resources prepared by educators and other teachers. In support of the implementation of the English Language Education KLA Curriculum, teachers can also select appropriate parts of the resources for classroom learning or extended learning based on pedagogical consideration and the learning needs of students.
