How To Allow Participants To Use Whiteboard On Zoom

Hello there! Today, I would like to discuss my perspective and knowledge on enabling participants to utilize the whiteboard function on Zoom. With many of us currently working remotely, it is crucial to have collaboration tools like Zoom for virtual meetings and presentations. The whiteboard feature on Zoom is an effective tool for promoting creativity, generating ideas, and involving participants in a collaborative session. Let’s explore the specifics and understand how to activate the whiteboard feature for participants on Zoom!

Step 1: Start a Zoom Meeting

The first step is to start a Zoom meeting. Open the Zoom application on your computer and click on “New Meeting” to initiate a meeting. Alternatively, you can join an existing meeting by entering the meeting ID provided by the host.

Step 2: Enable Whiteboard

Once the meeting has started, you can enable the whiteboard feature by clicking on the “Share Screen” button located at the bottom of the Zoom window. From the options that appear, select “Whiteboard” and click on the “Share Screen” button again.

Step 3: Grant Whiteboard Access to Participants

By default, only the host has control over the whiteboard during a Zoom meeting. However, you can allow participants to use the whiteboard by granting them access. To do this, click on the “More” button (three dots) located at the top of the Zoom window and select “Enable Annotation for Others.”

When you enable annotation for others, participants will have the ability to draw, write, and interact with the whiteboard using various tools such as a pen, highlighter, and text box.

Step 4: Managing Participants’ Access and Annotations

As the host, you have the power to manage participants’ access and annotations on the whiteboard. You can control who can annotate by clicking on the “Manage Participants” button located at the bottom of the Zoom window.

From the participants’ panel, you can choose specific participants and grant or revoke their annotation privileges. You can also disable or enable participants’ ability to save annotations on their local devices.

Step 5: Utilizing the Whiteboard with Participants

Now that participants have access to the whiteboard, you can encourage them to engage actively during the meeting. Here are a few ways to make the most out of the whiteboard feature:

  1. Brainstorming: Use the whiteboard as a virtual canvas for participants to jot down ideas and visually represent concepts. Encourage everyone to contribute to the discussion by adding their thoughts and drawings.
  2. Collaborative Problem Solving: Solve problems together by using the whiteboard to break down complex issues and outline potential solutions. Participants can use different colors and shapes to highlight their suggestions.
  3. Interactive Presentations: Enhance your presentations by incorporating the whiteboard. Draw diagrams, sketch illustrations, and create visual aids in real-time to support your discussion. Participants can also add their inputs and annotations to the shared content.

Conclusion

Enabling participants to use the whiteboard feature on Zoom can significantly enhance collaboration and engagement during virtual meetings. By following the steps outlined above, you can create an interactive environment where everyone can actively contribute their ideas and thoughts. So, go ahead and leverage the power of the whiteboard in your next Zoom meeting!