There are a number of options to simulate the in-class experience of writing and demonstrating on a whiteboard.
Perhaps the simplest way to accomplish a whiteboard demonstration is with a camera pointed at a sheet of paper or the like and writing thereon.
Our web conferencing options allow you to log in from more than one device so you can still be on the screen with your regular webcam while demonstrating with your document camera (please be sure to have one of the devices muted, though).
Please note, you can use any webcam, tablet, or smartphone for this purpose as opposed to buying a device that’s specifically marketed as a “document camera.” You may want to purchase a camera mount, though, to keep it aimed at where you are writing. If you search for a “gooseneck phone holder,” you will find some very affordable options.
There are many considerations for your environment when using a webcam or document camera, such as lighting and your camera angles. Much comes from experimentation and practice - find what works for you. Using an actual classroom or meeting room whiteboard with a webcam pointed at the wall, though, can be difficult depending on the resolution available and how much of the whiteboard you try to get into the frame. A close up on a sheet of paper can actually be much more effective. But, test and see what setup works for you.
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There are a number of virtual whiteboarding tools available for you to use at Fordham:
Microsoft Whiteboard (part of our Office 365 apps)
Google Jamboard (part of our Google apps)
You can use a mouse, for these options, however, you may have an easier time using a specialty pen-style mouse or stylus.
For whatever tool you use to interact with the virtual whiteboard, follow the instructions for the device, but generally, connect the device to your computer and use it in conjunction with one of the virtual whiteboard apps mentioned above.
If you have a tablet computer (e.g. an iPad or MS Surface) or a smartphone, it is possible to give real-time demonstrations by screen sharing via an app.
Generally, the steps are,
Log in to your chosen video conference tool from your device (both Blackboard Collaborate Ultra and Zoom have apps)
Open a note-taking app on your tablet or one of the virtual whiteboard apps mentioned above, depending on what you want to demonstrate
Share on your screen
As above, our web conferencing options allow you to log in from more than one device so you can still be on the screen with your regular webcam, while demonstrating with your document camera (please be sure to have the audio enabled only on the device your using at the time, though, as the web conferencing gives primacy to the screen where the audio is originating).
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Instead of using a mouse, you may want greater control provided by a graphics tablet and stylus (e.g. Bamboo or Wacom tablets) or some specialty mouse. If that’s the case, follow the instructions for the device, but generally, connect the device to your computer, and use it in conjunction with one of the virtual whiteboard apps mentioned above. These are generally much cheaper options than tablet computers.
Please note, that if you are purchasing one of these items, there are many different iterations of each with all sorts of features. Please be sure that whatever you get works with your current devices.
If you’d like any advice or recommendations, please feel free to contact the Teaching and Learning Environments team.
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Not a “live” option, but if you draw out what you’d like to demonstrate beforehand, you can add them as pictures to a PowerPoint or PDF, and share them with your student in your live session as you would with any presentation.
If you have any questions on any of this or need any help, please feel free to reach out to our Media Services team at mediacenter@fordham.edu or call our ITCC Help Desk at (718) 817-3999 or HelpIT@fordham.edu.