A Compare and Contrast of popular Whiteboard tools

Interactive Whiteboard Tools

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So what are the steps for using Microsoft Whiteboard?

-Instructor logs in their office.com account. -Instructor finds the Whiteboard app under the office apps menu or they can use the website: <a href="https://whiteboard.office.com/">https://whiteboard.office.com/</a>

Once in the Whiteboard app, the instructor clicks on the plus sign to create a new board. -Instructor adds whatever content they want to the board. -Instructor shares the link with others. (must allow for others to write to the board)

-If the instructor allows for editing, students need the url to access the Whiteboard. They will need to log in with their Microsoft email account. -The student is then able to add content to the board. -Students will see each other's content as it is added in real time.

*If the instructor is using Whiteboard through Microsoft Teams, participants in the Teams meeting do not need to sign in. Anyone in the teams meeting can add content to the board, if the instructor allows for collaboration.

So what kinds of items can you share on Microsoft Whiteboard? -Drawings and Sketches -Digital Post It notes -Shapes -Images -Documents

-You can also share pre-made templates for easier brainstorming. -Whiteboards can be shared via a url or can be exported as an image file. -Whiteboards are saved to the cloud.

So what are the steps for using Padlet? -Instructor creates an account and creates their whiteboard. -Instructor shares url for padlet with students.

-Students then can add content to the board.(No account needed) -Students and instructors can add videos, files, documents, images, text, urls and audio files.

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Remember, it isn't the tool that is teaching the students. The tool is just a way to get the content to your audience. 

<a href="https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-04-27-improving-accessibility-often-falls-to-faculty-here-s-what-they-can-do">Improving Accessibility Often Falls to Faculty. Here’s What They Can Do.</a> -It is always good to have multiple tools in your toolbag, especially if you have to use a different tool to make sure everyone in your audience can use it. -So it is important to know the pros and cons of the tools you use. -Also, hold EdTech companies accountable for making their products accessible. An accessible information technology environment enhances usability for everyone.

Cartoon shows a janitor shovelling stairs covered with snow. There is a student in a wheel chair asking if he can shovel the ramp. The janitor says that kids are waiting for the stairs so he will clear the stairs first then get the ramp. The child in the wheel chair smartly says "But if you shovel the ramp, we can all get in."  Bottom of the cartoon says clearing a path for people with special needs clears the path for everyone.

When it comes to content, students need to be able&nbsp;to...

Perceive, understand, navigate an interact

...with the content fully to make the information make sense. If they are unable to do so, the content is not&nbsp;digitally accessible.

Advantages of using Padlet with your Students

-&nbsp;Students cannot delete or write over each others' items -Great for collaborating -Cloud based -Easy to use -Nothing to install -Use a canvas as an electronic portfolio or "showcase" of students' work -Use a canvas to share classroom news, announcements or praises -Create a canvas of useful websites that help reinforce content that students can use at home for practice.

<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/getting-started-with-microsoft-whiteboard-48cab0ee-90b3-483a-9a48-ff17fe476c6b">Microsoft Whiteboar</a>d is a digital whiteboard. Whiteboard is available on the following platforms:

<a href="https://whiteboard.office.com/">In your web browser</a> <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-whiteboard-in-microsoft-teams-7a6e7218-e9dc-4ccc-89aa-b1a0bb9c31ee">In Microsoft Teams meetings, chats, and channels</a> <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/p/microsoft-whiteboard/9mspc6mp8fm4?activetab=pivot:overviewtab">Download for Windows</a> <a href="https://apps.apple.com/app/microsoft-whiteboard/id1352499399">Download for iOS</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.whiteboard.publicpreview">Download for Android</a> <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/p/microsoft-whiteboard-for-surface-hub/9nblggh5x7s8?activetab=pivot:overviewtab">Download for Surface Hub devices</a>

<a href="https://youtu.be/hG91PYYPDto">MS Whiteboard video link</a>

What is Microsoft Whiteboard

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The Disabled Population is the largest minority group in the world with at least 1 billion people. It is also the only group where any of us can become a member of at any time.

When considering a Whiteboard tool, it is important to understand how the tool fares for accessibility.

1 billion people live with a disability 1 out of 7 has a disability

Over <a href="https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/2020/comm/living-with-disabilities.html">70 million people in the United States</a> identified as having a disability. -Source 2018 US Census

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Interactive Whiteboards are web based tools that allow for sharing and collaboration of information. With interactive whiteboards, participants can share items like notes, and multimedia items ( like videos, images). Participants often only need a url to start sharing and posting data.

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-Students can write over and delete other people's content. -No anonymity( Students have to have a Microsoft account to log in unless part of a Teams meeting.) -No read-to- me feature. -Students cannot use the pens to draw using just the keyboard. (need a mouse/stylus for that)

<a href="bookcreator://page/Ti6tDwGXRIGTWL5o703maw">Table of Contents</a>

<a href="https://padlet.com/">Padlet</a>&nbsp;is a Web based tool that allows instructors to create&nbsp;digital sharing boards. These boards can be shared with students and students can then add their own content to each board. With padlet, you can add post it notes, along with pictures, videos, files and multimedia presentations.&nbsp;

What's Padlet?

<a href="https://youtu.be/pLdZJAc3bGQ">What is Padlet video link</a>

So what are the steps for using Jamboard? -Instructor logs into their google account. (If you have a gmail account, you have a google account). -Instructor finds the Jamboard app under google apps menu or they can use the website: <a href="https://jamboard.google.com">https://jamboard.google.com/ </a>

-Once in the Jamboard app, the instructor clicks on the plus sign to create a new board. -Instructor adds whatever content they want to the board. -Instructor shares the Jamboard link (must allow for others to write to the board) with students.

You may use this presentation: Under the following terms: •Attribution&nbsp;—&nbsp;You must give&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">appropriate credit</a>, provide a link to the license, and&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">indicate if changes were made</a>. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. •NonCommercial&nbsp;— You may not use the material for&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">commercial purposes</a>. •ShareAlike&nbsp;— If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">same license</a>&nbsp;as the original.

Advantages of using Lino.it with your Students

-&nbsp;Students cannot delete or write over each others' items -Use to help "flip" the content of your classroom: Students can access the canvas from home and then discuss the content in class -Use a canvas as an electronic portfolio or "showcase" of students' work -Use a canvas to share classroom news, announcements or praises -Create a canvas of useful websites that help reinforce content that students can use at home for practice

Free Cloud Based No limit to the number of boards you can make Great for Collaborating and Sharing

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Access and Accessibility get used interchangeably when we discuss EdTech tools.

They are not the same thing. Having access means the content is available. Accessibility means that students can engage fully with the content.

<a href="bookcreator://page/cgJTLcCuTQKHDzE2QInuMw">Google Jamboard</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/-Kye2Tu6QQGqsjG_XJsA6g">Microsoft Whiteboard</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/fqi--5ogS8i0YN8aC9p5tw">Lino.it</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/I77AWRXaS9CUQZk3I6XLeQ">Padlet</a>

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Advantages of using Google Jamboard with your Students

•Can be used for in-person or online classes. •No limit to the number of whiteboards an instructor can create. •Multiple templates you can use for Jamboard. •All Jamboards are saved to the cloud so you can access it from any Internet enabled device. •Collaborators do not need an account or to log into a board to start adding content. (Allows for anonymity)

Easy to use, Free, Great for brainstorming and collaborating, takes very little bandwidth

See how Lino.it for accessibility from the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/13ArVeKhgKGteHKfjr5NplfzLMa4bK3nZ/edit?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102938897887291579618&amp;rtpof=true&amp;sd=true">instructor's perspective.</a>

<a href="http://web2accessibility.weebly.com/linoit.html">Alternative versions of the score cards</a> ( Mp3, HTML, Electronic Braille)

See how Lino.it fared for accessibility from <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q0dGE1V5gKpygsQcuh835qyCLgohFHYk/edit?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102938897887291579618&amp;rtpof=true&amp;sd=true">the student side.</a>

So what kinds of items can you share on Lino.it? -Digital Post It notes -Photo files -Documents -Video and audio files

-PDFs, Powerpoints and Word Document -Emoji icons -Different colors for Post It Notes

Lino uses a simple click and drag interface. To start using lino, you first create an account and then start creating your “corkboard”.&nbsp;

Once you have added the content you want to share, you can choose the privacy settings. As the owner of the account, you can decide if others can view your corkboard and add content. To do this, simply click on the "i" icon on the post it area. This will give you the url for the board, as well as, get you to the preferences menu where you can select your privacy settings.

-Students can write over and delete other people's content. -Platform has several accessibility flaws, creating a barrier to content for many users. -This tool can be difficult/cumbersome to use for those with some learning, disabilities, dyslexia, vision impairments and dexterity/motor disabilities.

" Inaccessible code is digital redlining that keeps us out of communal spaces." -Chancey Fleet <a href="https://twitter.com/chanceyfleet">@ChanceyFleet</a>

When using this tool, know your audience. If the tool meets the needs of your audience, you can still use it as long as everyone in your audience is able to get the content fully. 

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See how Padlet for accessibility from the<a href="http://web2accessibility.weebly.com/padlet.html"> </a><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T2GphsvwxcCyPYvx4SdKNf18c4Excjxc/edit">instructor's perspective.</a>

<a href="http://web2accessibility.weebly.com/padlet.html">Alternative versions of the score cards</a> ( Mp3, HTML, Electronic Braille)

See how Padlet fared for accessibility from <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1841hhw5iBWiUCtUc3_Hgj0TH5W1sVH2c/edit">the student side.</a>

"We don’t teach to teach the privileged and the few, we teach to teach all, and if we don’t become accessible, we are not teaching everyone.” <a href="https://webaccess.berkeley.edu/about/staff-bios">- Lucy Greco</a>

According to a 2020 Educause Study: "Among students with disabilities, about a third (32%) said they require accessible content, accessible technologies, and/or technology accommodations for their coursework. Many students with disabilities do not have positive responses to how their institution supported their need for accessible content and/or technology accommodations."

"Assistive/accessible technology such as captioning and text-to-speech software is important to their academic success, and students with disabilities would like instructors to account for this when developing their courses." -<a href="https://www.educause.edu/ecar/research-publications/ecar-study-of-the-technology-needs-of-students-with-disabilities/2020/introduction-and-key-findings">Source</a>

Dana C. Gierdowski and Joseph D. Galanek.&nbsp;ECAR Study of the Technology Needs of Students with Disabilities, 2020. Research report. Louisville, CO: ECAR, June 2020.

Jamboard is a digital interactive whiteboard developed by Google to work with Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite. It is a digital app that can be used by any one with access to an Internet enabled device.

Guide to Google Jamboard for Beginners!! Online Collaborative Whiteboard!

<a href="https://youtu.be/f1nVeBHEAaI">Beginners Guide to Jamboard Video link</a>

Lino is a free web based service that allows you to create digital corkboards where you can“stick” post it notes.&nbsp;&nbsp;With lino, you can add post it notes, along with pictures, videos, files and multimedia presentations on a digital “cork board”.&nbsp;&nbsp;

How to use Linoit

<a href="https://youtu.be/Nu5CRDB31wE">Lino.it video link</a>

Note: If you make the canvas public, students do not need a login to access the information.&nbsp;Students would be able to access all the content.&nbsp;They would just need the website url(website address) to access the canvas.

So how do students access the Lino.it corkboard?

-The students are then able to add content to the board. -Students will see each other's content as it is added in real time. -If you add a file like a powerpoint or a word document, it will give you an option to download the file. When you click on the option it asks you to login to download the file. -All the other content(videos, post it notes, texts and pictures)&nbsp;work without a login.

-You must remember to set your settings for sharing canvases. By default, the canvases are private. You can make them public where anyone with the link can view the content but not add new content to the board. You can also make a canvas public and allow for others to write to the board. -Platform has many accessibility flaws, which presents barriers to the content to a significant number of learners.

-The platform offers many options which may be overwhelming for less tech savvy students/audiences. -Login is required to access downloaded files added to the platform.

By Wendy Torres Coppin State University Senior Instructional and Digital Accessibility Specialist Twitter Handle: <a href="https://twitter.com/tech_snacks">@Tech_snacks</a> E-mail: wvelez-torres@coppin.edu <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vT67VemznXgfIqRfwWW5Ezc1za4FJOsJkLfLQLZp_cwlmr_TnKaCNABme-wBGD60_3itHYQN2foHj0i/pub">Text version of book</a>

Creative Commons License icon, give attribution, can't sell for commercial can remix

See how Microsoft Whiteboard fared for accessibility from the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Saz4_qCY6twfL4Hr_H6iFxZ4T0wZpwgs/edit?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102938897887291579618&amp;rtpof=true&amp;sd=true">instructor's perspective.</a>

<a href="http://web2accessibility.weebly.com/ms-whiteboard.html">Alternative versions of the score cards</a> ( Mp3, HTML, Electronic Braille)

See how Microsoft Whiteboard fared for accessibility from <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1alHcd1AhIaxVja-qZnOVK-vy8GSwdfoR/edit?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102938897887291579618&amp;rtpof=true&amp;sd=true">the student side.</a>

When you evaluate Web 2.0 tools, <a href="https://youtu.be/zv4nn8JDxmg">remember it is all about content.</a>

When interacting with the tool, can all students: -Perceive -Understand -Navigate and -Interact ...With the information they are being given?

-You have to know your audience. -If you use a tool that is not fully accessible, you can still use it with your students if all the students are able to get the content fully. -However, if any member of your audience cannot fully interact with the tool/content, then you must consider using a different tool.

See how Jamboard fared for accessibility from the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_6Lm1Xrc2ICuziMIKsa6q17FjXm6ozqP/edit">instructor's perspective.</a>

<a href="http://web2accessibility.weebly.com/google-jamboard.html">Alternative versions of the score cards</a> ( Mp3, HTML, Electronic Braille)

See how Google Jamboard fared for accessibility from <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/13VT60qWLg7E2395Eu21iQvGB5_JHJ886/edit">the student side.</a>

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Advantages of using Microsoft Whiteboard with your Students

•Can be used for in-person or online classes. •No limit to the number of whiteboards an instructor can create. •Multiple templates you can use for MS Whiteboard •All Whiteboards are saved to the cloud so you can access it from any Internet enabled device. •Accessible design

-If the instructor allows for editing, students only need the url to access the Jamboard. They do not need to have a google account. -The student is then able to add content to the board. -Students will see each other's content as it is added in real time.

-Be aware, students can also delete other people's posts, so you will need to instruct them on <a href="https://www.edutopia.org/whats-next-2008-netiquette-guidelines">digital etiquette</a> and digital citizen rules before using this tool.

-You are limited to 3 whiteboards with the free version -There are limitations to the files size you can share -Platform has several accessibility flaws, creating a barrier to content for many users. -This tool can be difficult/cumbersome to use for those with some learning disabilities, dyslexia, vision impairments and dexterity/motor disabilities.