I have replaced Google Jamboard with FigJam. It is a better collaborative digital whiteboard. One of the big differences between Google Jamboard and FigJam is the lack of pages. Instead of pages, FigJam has sections. A unique feature is to be able to hide the sections until you are ready for students to use the resources in the section.
Creating Sections in FigJam
I use figjam.new to quickly start a FigJam. My next move is to start creating sections. Use the sections icon in the toolbar at the bottom to “draw rectangles.” You control the size of your sections.
Creating Sections
Creating sections “pages” is easy! Locate the “Sections” icon in the toolbar, or use Shift S, to activate creating sections. Once activated, draw a rectangle of the desired size onto the canvas.
The infinite canvas in FigJam along with the control of the layout of the sections (pages) makes FigJam a powerful and flexible tool.
Tip: Design one section and duplicate it multiple times to create a collaborative activity with students.
A Section Per Student
The default title for a section is “Section 1.” You can click on this to rename the section name. However, when you draw a new section or duplicate a section the number will increase. For example, if I rename the section to “Student 1” and duplicate the section, it will automatically be named “Student 2.”
Managing Sections in FigJam
Sections in FigJam can be resized, duplicated, renamed, dragged, locked, and hidden. There are 2 ways to select a section. Click on the section, but not an element in the section. You can also lasso a section by holding down the mouse button and releasing it once you have hovered over a section.
Hiding a Section in FigJam
Since FigJam is an infinite canvas all of the sections/pages are visible at once. This may not be ideal. To pace your lesson you want to reveal each element when you are ready.
Hover for Section Toolbar
With the section selected, hover on the section to reveal the section toolbar. This allows you to change the color, rename the section, or hide the section.
Click on the eyeball icon to choose to hide the section.
Hidden Winky Eye
The section toolbar allows you to easily toggle the hidden section to make the content visible or hidden. When hidden, the section is greyed out with a winky eye showing the section is not merely grey, but hidden.
-
Present Google Slides NOT Full Screen
Options for how you present your Google Slides. Perhaps you want to present Google Slides NOT full screen.
-
Slides Timer Add-on
Need a countdown timer in your Slides? Use Sildes Timer and Slides Timer Add-on to easily keep your lesson on pace.
-
Match Names in Two Lists
How to match names in two lists comes up surprisingly often. Who on the sign up list is also on the eligibility list? Use the MATCH formula to find out.
-
5 Myths About DOK (Critical Thinking)
DOK is about critical thinking. However, many myths surround the levels of DOK. Here are 5 things to look out for.
-
How to Convert Your Slides to Spanish
Need to convert your Google Slides to Spanish or another language? Try this free Add-on to quickly copy slides into another language.
-
Google Docs TABS – Organize Your Document
Google Docs tabs allow you to create pages like a notebook within your Google Doc™. Create multiple tabs to organize content.
How to Hide Sections in FigJam
Learning how to hide sections in FigJam helps you to get the most out of this simple but powerful collaboration tool. Create sections. Select a section, and use the toolbar to toggle the section to hidden.
