Virtual learning is the key to global academic development. No longer will distance, time zone differences or lockdowns deter students from accessing quality education. One technology that can guarantee the expansion of virtual learning is the online whiteboard.
This tool is a digital masterpiece that supports interaction, collaboration, and feedback in real-time.
Using this technology can open doors to more effective learning methods for students. It can also help reduce teachers’ workload, making them more productive and free from work-related stress.
You can achieve so much in a short period with this software. Explore these five creative ways you can use online whiteboards to improve learning and interaction in academia.
1. Critical Literacy Skill Development with Social Networking Tools
There is an alarming rate of literacy decline among students in developed countries. Studies show that reading and math levels among United States students have reached a record low in over two decades. Consequently, educators and the government continually seek means of improving learning standards.
One of the first steps to achieving this goal is to pique students’ interest in learning. Recent studies show that incorporating social media into learning can significantly boost students’ interest in academia and improve their literacy skills. If there’s a modern technology that can bring this plan to fruition, it’s an online whiteboard.
Online whiteboards are built to ease social interaction. With reaction templates such as emojis and comment response features, students will find themselves in familiar territory. A digital whiteboard also has chatting capabilities to enhance collaboration within group projects. Students and teachers can also continue collaboration at home in real time.
2. Collaborative Skills Building
Since most teaching methods encourage individual learning, students may lack collaborative skills. To get the best out of students, educators must create collaborative learning exercises to balance the learning process. It helps students develop critical thinking abilities to be comfortable working in a team.
Online whiteboards offer multiple options for collaborative learning, making this process easier for teachers.
Online collaborative activities aim to encourage discussion and ideas sharing between students. They can learn from each other and also assess their performances in groups.
There are many collaborative exercises students can perform virtually. The first step is deciding on a group task. Then, explain the assignment, share the link, group the students, and set the submission deadline.
3. Artistic Expressions and Scientific Virtual Manipulations
Another highlight of online whiteboards is their versatility. They are as efficient for teaching arts as science subjects. They come with many virtual artistic tools; using them, students can be creative and release their artistic potential.
Science teachers can also benefit from using a digital whiteboard for enhanced learning. This tool allows students to learn complex phenomena in simpler terms. They can improve learning, especially for those who barely understand abstract concepts.
Moreover, these tools use virtual models to represent complex mathematical concepts with flowcharts and Venn diagrams, among other sophisticated tools. Students can also receive the application on their devices and continue their classroom tasks at home.
4. Game-Based Learning
Educators now realize students respond more positively to game-based learning than traditional methods. That’s why nearly 75% of teachers use game-based learning in classes.
In reality, it is no small task combining games with learning. Fortunately, digital whiteboards help you in this aspect.
Using online whiteboards offers educators the option of creating gamified lessons. Kids learn better and quicker when you involve them in exciting activities.
You only need to run the application and set your preferred parameters. Add quizzes and problem-solving games in the form of puzzles. That way, students can learn and have fun. More importantly, ensure that the gaming theme aligns with the school curriculum.
5. Real-time Assessment and Feedback
Using a digital whiteboard can be a win-win situation for teachers and students. It can help dedicated teachers to assess their students’ comprehension abilities after every class.
Online whiteboards not only help with learning but can also help you assess students’ performances in real-time. That way, students will not only be quizzed on the topic after the class but also get graded immediately.
In addition to test results, the program has features for commenting on each student’s performance. The comments may appear as feedback or advice on how best to approach the quiz in the future.
This provides valuable insight into each student’s academic progress. You may also learn effective ways of educating your students through these assessments.
Conclusion
Online whiteboards are a game changer in academia. From collaborative learning to literacy skill building, they offer limitless possibilities for learning. This is one of few academic resources that caters to the needs of teachers as much as the students. While students learn complex subjects more simply, educators impart knowledge with much reduced stress. Thanks to cloud-based data management solutions and continuous upgrades to the software, you’ll never run out of creative ways to use online whiteboards.
The best days of digital whiteboards are ahead. Get yours now.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.