What is Google Jamboard? Learn how to use Jamboard

In today's world, when everything is tried to be performed online either because of the situation or because of our habit of handling things from our ease, there is always a need of a service which fulfils our requirements.

When talking about some online useful services which have proved an essential part in education, then what comes in our minds is video conferencing apps such as Google Meet and Zoom and other services such as Google Classroom, etc.

Google as a company has always come forward in providing useful services to the people. One such service is Google Jamboard.

Google Jamboard is a digital whiteboard which helps people to explain their ideas to their subjects in a better way. It can either be used on a simple machine (like a PC) or a separate machine known as Google Jamboard can be bought.

So let's dive into its details.

What is Google Jamboard? (As a basic software)

As mentioned earlier, it is a service provided by Google which acts as a whiteboard, is interactive and helps to explain one's thoughts in a better way to his subjects. It can also be used for planning purposes.

It helps to explain one's thoughts in a more creative than simply boring and default way. Each project in the Google Jamboard is known as a Jam.

It was officially launched in the current state on 25th October 2015. It is a part of Google's Workspace.

It is best used for team or company work as a Jam created by one member can be displayed on the screen each member's or employ's screen. It can also be accessed by any team member any time, by sharing the Jam with the particular member.

You can add various shapes to your Jam, use different colours pen and erase them if you want. You can also add images to your Jam either from your Google account or upload one from your device.

For explaining purposes, you can make use of the laser option. Moreover, you can add sticky notes and text boxes top your Jam if you want.

And one of the most important features of Jamboard is that it saves all your work in the cloud so that you can access it whenever you want.

Jamboard, as a hardware product

Jamboard is a hardware product offered by Google. It contains the Jamboard software which you use on your PC or mobile device with additional features.

It comes with a 55" 4K UHD display, hyper-responsive touch and there is no visible lag observed. It has a 120 Hz of touch refresh for normal use and 60 Hz for videos.

It has an accuracy of 1 mm and does not require batteries to work (which finishes working of charging). It has a built-in camera and speakers which provides a wide view and fabulous soundings respectively.

It also has a built-in microphone which catches high-quality sounds. It is Wifi, NFC, Bluetooth and Google Cast compatible. You can either mount it on the wall or buy a separate movable stand for it.

The software used in the Jamboard is highly useful. You can use to carry out video calls from a member even miles away from you.

The software embedded in the Jamboard hardware is different from that you use on your PC or mobile device. It contains many more features than the normal version.

The additional features include adding images or clip art by search, embedding other services of G-Suite or Google Workspace such as Sheets and Slides in your Jam and using your fingers to draw or write on the screen. Now coming on to the prices, the Jamboard alone costs $4,999.00. The rolling stand costs $1,349.00, the eraser costs $69.00 and the stylus will cost you $109.00 .

Features of Jamboard in detail

Google Jamboard has several features which if used properly can be very productive. For easy understanding, I have broken down each of its features one-by-one.

1. Writing material- This feature lets you draw or write in your Jam. You can change the pen type if you want according to your wish. It has the following types of pens or writing types-
   • Simple Pen-This type of pen lets you write with a narrow ink.
   • Marker-This type lets you write with a broader ink.
   • Highlighter-This type lets you highlight your written or drawn part.
   • Brush- This type is mainly used for drawing.
2. Eraser-As the name suggests, this option is used to erase your drawn or written part of the Jam.
3. Selector-This option does not has any significant use in the PC or mobile version of Jamboard but it has a vast variety of use in the Jamboard, as a hardware product if bought.
4. Sticky Notes- This feature is used to attach a colourful piece of paper or what you call it as a sticky note in between of your Jam to highlight a piece of your content.
5. Image-This feature is used to add images to your Jam. You can either upload the image from your Google account or your device.
6. Shapes-This feature lets you add several shapes to your Jam according to your will.
7. Text box-This feature lets you add a text box in the desired location of your Jam, in which, you can type your text.
8. Laser light-This feature is mainly used to highlight the part of the text you're explaining at the moment.
9. Setting background-This option allows to change the background of your Jam page.
10. Clear frame-This option is used to clear all the work you have done on your Jam page, except the background set by you.

How to use Jamboard within Google Meet

Jamboard is very useful as a whiteboard while teaching online, for teachers. Using Jamboard within a meeting is very easy and helpful. If you have not hosted or created a meeting before then you can learn how to do that by clicking on this link Create your first meeting now!. It's very easy.
After that to use Jamboard within Meet, just follow the below steps-

• In your meeting, click on the options button in the lower right corner.
• Now, click on the first option which will be 'Whiteboard, Open a Jam'.
• This will open a Jam from your account in a new window.
• The link to this Jam will be shared in the chat section of your meeting so that the participants could see what you are writing or drawing in your Jam.
• Congo! you have successfully opened and shared your Jam with the meeting.

Limitations of Google Jamboard

Like any other software, Jamboard too has some limitations which are listed below-

• Drawing with the help of a computer mouse is quite difficult. So if you want to draw or write with help of pen in your Jam you should prefer to use it on your mobile device or Jamboard Hardware.
• Some more features can be added to the PC version of Jamboard such as adding clip art.

Some Common Questions Related to Jamboard

How do I synchronise jamboard from Iphone to Dell laptop?
To synchronise your jamboard work you just need to enter your Google account on a web browser like Chrome and go to Jamboard and you can access your work.

How to set jamboard as a default app in vivo?
It depends on what version of Android you are using. As basic steps, you'll find the option to set the app as default either in the app info or in app management in the settings.

Can jamboard work in normal TV screen?
Sorry but it cannot. But if you convert your TV screen as a PC's monitor, then ofcoarse you can.

Can I install jamboard on Android Lollipop?
Sorry, but you need to have atleast Android version 6.0 Marshmallow or above on your device for using Jamboard and Android Lollipop is 5.0.

Conclusion

So, all together Jamboard is a nice service best if used with its hardware equipment, better if used on a PC or tablet and good on a smartphone. It is very useful for teaching purposes, especially for online classes. You should at least give it a try ;)
If you have any issue or doubt relating Jamboard, you are free to ask in the comment section, I'll be happy to help .