Jamboard, part of the Google suite of tools, enables a centralized location with joint, collaborative access and straightforward user experience that is readily accessible and free to students and faculty after logging into their URI email via the Single Sign On. The simplistic design of Jamboard is user friendly with minimalist tools and features that allows anyone to quickly begin using the work space as a note taking application, similar to a virtual whiteboard, or collaborative tool that allows multiple users to work together on idea generation for projects. The user-friendly interface and design of Jamboard allows Amanda to have her students use this application without formal training or any steep learning curve, enabling them to jump right in and master the minimal features. Amanda has incorporated the readily accessible Google suite and access to Jamboard for her students as a collaborative step in their research projects that enables students to refine or broaden their ideas by exploring a wider array of topics surrounding a general idea. 

At first appearance, Jamboard is a digital whiteboard that could be used for notations during remote synchronous classes and presentations. In addition to this purpose, Jamboard can be used for more than just taking notes, Amanda has employed Jamboard while capitalizing on Google’s ability to have multiple authors work in the same application collectively, enabling a shared working area that is always accessible to the collaborators. When students gather to discuss research topics, they can later return to Jamboard to reference their brainstorming ideas and look for other avenues of research. Google does offer a Jamboard specific monitor display for presentation use, that can be purchased for $1,000-5,000, that emphasises the interactive virtual whiteboard experience that Jamboard is establishing. Though, this same functionality could be duplicated with a tablet and a stylus or touch monitor. 

Student Experience & Feedback

According to Amanda, her students enjoy using Jamboard in their process of collaborative research. With positive comments from the student interaction derived from their ability to collaborate and the ability to readily return to this unofficial idea board to find other ideas to supplement their research thesis. While the simplicity of Jamboard creates an accessible interface for new users, the lack of features can also be limiting for more in depth usage. Jamboard’s overly simplistic interface leaves higher functionality a desire. For example, the ability to quickly add directional or signifying symbols, or icons is something that is missing from the toolbar. Alternately, users can search for images and clipart to import to the Jamboard workspace that can double as directional icons with just a few extra steps. Even without a toolbar readily full of accessible icons and images to add to the workspace, Jamboard is a valuable virtual, collaborative tool that multiple users can simultaneously engage with while working on group projects and discussions.