{"id":57294,"date":"2023-09-05T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edtechteacher.org\/?p=57294"},"modified":"2024-11-03T11:13:35","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T16:13:35","slug":"5-reasons-to-use-figjam-this-school-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edtechteacher.org\/5-reasons-to-use-figjam-this-school-year\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons To Use FigJam This School Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Guest Post by Tom Mullaney<\/a>. Tom infuses professional development with creativity, collaboration, and fun based on his experience as a Special Education and Social Studies teacher.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FigJam is a collaborative whiteboard that students and teachers can use to brainstorm, ideate, and collaborate. From simple drawings to sticky notes and comments, FigJam is a fun and engaging way to engage students in the classroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are five reasons FigJam will be your go-to edtech tool this school year.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Templates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let FigJam work for you with its plethora of ready-to-use education templates<\/a>! From popular education templates such as K-W-L charts<\/a>, Venn Diagrams<\/a>, and timelines<\/a> to story arcs<\/a> and student check-ins<\/a>, FigJam has the templates teachers need to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teachers are prompted to add templates when creating FigJams and can add multiple templates to a FigJam when editing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Users are prompted to add a template when creating a FigJam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Sections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sections allow teachers to organize content and give students and groups distinct spaces to collaborate in a FigJam. Teachers can also hide sections and unveil them to guide students through a lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An
Guide students through content by hiding and unveiling sections.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Unveil sections and ask students what connects items to review content.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Making connections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

FigJam\u2019s Connector tool gives students a visual representation of connections. Students can customize connector color and thickness, make dashed or solid connections, and choose from six start and end point options. They can even write text in the connector. An even more visual connecting tool is washi tape. Use it to show what two things have in common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Use FigJam connectors and Washi tape to visualize connections.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Multimedia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Students can watch YouTube videos, record and play their voice, add images, and add GIPHY animated GIFS without leaving a FigJam. Have students click play on a YouTube video in a FigJam. They can type their reactions without having to pause the video!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Add a video to a FigJam and have students respond to it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Sticky Notes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

FigJam is like Padlet on steroids. Sticky notes display their author\u2019s name. Add hyperlinks and tag collaborators in sticky note text. Build on ideas and make connections by clicking the plus sign on any side of a sticky note to add another sticky note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Add sticky notes to a FigJam by hovering on a sticky note and clicking the \u201c+\u201d button.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Want to learn more about how <\/strong>Tom Mullaney<\/strong><\/a> and our other EdTechTeacher instructors can help you and your fellow educators?\u00a0 Take a look at EdTechTeacher’s services page<\/a> or feel free reach out to us at <\/strong>admin@edtechteacher.org<\/strong><\/a> to learn about our custom professional learning services that help teachers thrive in the classroom!<\/strong><\/p>\n