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Microsoft Whiteboard

Microsoft Whiteboard significantly supports and enhances the teaching strategy of Collaborative Learning by providing a dynamic and interactive digital canvas that fosters real-time collaboration among students. It allows learners to engage in group brainstorming, problem-solving, and project planning regardless of their physical location, thereby breaking down geographical barriers and enabling a more inclusive learning environment. With features such as infinite canvas, various pen types, and the ability to insert images and documents, it caters to diverse learning styles and encourages creative expression.  By leveraging Microsoft Whiteboard, educators can facilitate an active learning process where students co-create knowledge, develop critical thinking and communication skills, and build a sense of community and shared responsibility. This redefines the traditional classroom setup, making learning more engaging, interactive, and accessible to all students.

Low Risk - Use Responsibly

Year Level Suitability Rating

Developmental Considerations

BCE Due Diligence Rating

Potential Uses

There are endless ways to use Microsoft Whiteboard to enhance Collaborative Learning in the classroom. 

Brainstorm to Success
Image by Jaredd Craig
Image by Dan Cristian Pădureț

Interactive Brainstorming

Facilitate group brainstorming where students contribute ideas on a topic, such as for a story, science project, or class event.  Use different pen colors or sticky notes for each student to track contributions.

Collaborative Storytelling

Students work together to create a story, with each student adding a sentence or drawing a part of the story, building on each other's ideas.

Math Problem Solving

Solve math problems as a class, with students taking turns to work out different steps of the solution on the whiteboard.

Use the ruler or shapes tool to help with geometry problems.

Image by John Schnobrich

Group Projects

Organise thoughts and assign tasks for group projects, allowing students to visually map out the project stages and responsibilities.  Collaborate on research topics, with students adding information, images, and links they find on a shared topic.

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Mind Mapping

Create mind maps for complex subjects, helping students visually organise information and see the connections between ideas.

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Interactive Timelines

Build timelines for history lessons, with students collaboratively adding events, images, and descriptions to illustrate historical progressions.

Image by Daria Nepriakhina 🇺🇦

Peer Feedback Sessions

Share individual or group work for peer review, allowing classmates to add constructive feedback directly on the whiteboard.

Kids Handwriting

Language Learning

Practice spelling, grammar, and vocabulary exercises, with students collaboratively creating sentences or finding and correcting errors.

Art Supplies

Collaborative Artwork

Host collaborative art projects, where each student contributes to a collective piece of digital artwork.

PHYSICAL

COGNITIVE

SENSORY

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

Accessibility Features

Touch and Pen Support: Whiteboard supports touch and pen input, allowing individuals with physical disabilities to interact with the digital whiteboard using their preferred input method.

Keyboard Shortcuts: Whiteboard provides keyboard shortcuts for various functions, enabling individuals with physical disabilities who may have difficulty using a mouse or touch input to navigate and interact with the application.

Magnification: Whiteboard allows users to zoom in and out, providing individuals with physical disabilities the ability to view and interact with content at a comfortable level.

Text Tools: Whiteboard provides text tools that allow users to add text boxes, type, and format text, making it easier for individuals with cognitive disabilities to read and understand the content.

Ink-to-Text Conversion:  Whiteboard can convert handwritten ink into text, making it more accessible for individuals with cognitive disabilities who may have difficulty reading or understanding handwriting.

Templates: Whiteboard offers templates that provide structure and organization, helping individuals with cognitive disabilities to better comprehend and organize information.

High Contrast Mode: Whiteboard offers a high contrast mode, making it easier for individuals with visual impairments or sensitivity to bright light to view and interact with the content.

Screen Reader Support: Whiteboard is compatible with screen readers, enabling individuals with visual impairments to access the content through audio feedback.

Closed Captioning: Whiteboard supports closed captioning, providing individuals with hearing impairments access to the spoken content during collaborative sessions or recorded videos.

Collaborative Activities: Whiteboard allows for collaborative activities, providing opportunities for students with social anxiety or difficulties to engage with their peers in a supportive and inclusive environment. They can participate in group discussions, share ideas, and work together on projects.

Visual Expression: Whiteboard's digital inking feature allows students to express themselves visually, which can be beneficial for those with difficulties in verbal communication or expressing emotions. They can use drawings, symbols, or colors to convey their thoughts and feelings.

Structured Organization: Whiteboard's templates and organization tools can help students with anxiety or executive functioning challenges to structure their thoughts and tasks. They can use the templates to create visual schedules, mind maps, or to-do lists, providing a sense of structure and reducing anxiety.

Making Functional Adjustments

PHYSICAL ADJUSTMENTS

  • Digital Accessibility: Teachers can ensure that Whiteboard is accessible to students with physical disabilities by providing options for touch, pen, or keyboard input, based on individual needs and abilities.

  • Collaborative Tools: Whiteboard enables students with physical disabilities to actively participate in collaborative formative assessment activities by providing a digital platform where they can contribute ideas, share their thoughts, and collaborate with peers without physical barriers.

  • Adaptive Devices: Teachers can integrate adaptive devices, such as touchscreens, styluses, or alternative input devices, to enhance accessibility and accommodate students with physical disabilities in using Whiteboard effectively.

SENSORY ADJUSTMENTS

  • Visual Enhancements: Teachers can adjust the color contrast, font size, or use high-contrast mode in Whiteboard to accommodate students with visual impairments or sensitivity to light during formative assessment activities.

  • Closed Captioning: Teachers can provide closed captioning for any audio or video content shared on Whiteboard, ensuring accessibility for students with hearing impairments during formative assessment activities.

  • Multisensory Engagement: Teachers can incorporate multimedia elements, such as images, videos, or audio recordings, into the Whiteboard to engage students with sensory disabilities and provide multiple modalities for accessing information during formative assessment activities.

COGNITIVE ADJUSTMENTS

  • Simplified Instructions: Teachers can provide clear and concise instructions on the Whiteboard, breaking down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps to support students with cognitive disabilities in understanding and completing formative assessment activities.

  • Visual Organization: Teachers can use Whiteboard's templates, shapes, and drawing tools to visually organize information, helping students with cognitive disabilities to comprehend and navigate the content more effectively.

  • Multimodal Learning: Teachers can incorporate visual elements, such as images, icons, or color-coding, into the Whiteboard to support students with cognitive disabilities in understanding and retaining information.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL ADJUSTMENTS

  • Collaborative Support: Teachers can create a supportive and inclusive environment on the Whiteboard by encouraging peer collaboration, providing opportunities for positive feedback, and fostering a sense of community among students with social/emotional disabilities during formative assessment activities.

  • Visual Expression: Whiteboard allows students to visually express their thoughts and emotions through drawings, symbols, or annotations, providing an outlet for self-expression and communication for students with social/emotional disabilities.

  • Flexible Learning Environment: Teachers can use Whiteboard to provide a flexible learning environment, allowing students with social/emotional disabilities to access the Whiteboard remotely, providing a comfortable and familiar space for learning and engagement.

Support for Universal Design for Learning

1

Multiple Means of Representation

Teachers can use Whiteboard to present information in diverse formats, including diagrams, mind maps, and charts, catering to different learning preferences and needs.

2

Multiple Means of Engagement

The interactive and visually stimulating environment of Microsoft Whiteboard can increase students' motivation and engagement by allowing them to contribute in various ways—through text, drawings, and images.

3

Multiple Means of Expression

Students have the freedom to express their understanding and ideas in multiple ways, supporting those with different strengths and challenges. The tool's flexibility encourages creativity and problem-solving.

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