Drawing or writing by hand during a live online session
There are various methods of recreating drawing or writing on a whiteboard for use with synchronous teaching through webinar/conferencing tools. Most of these tools include some sort of ‘Interactive Whiteboard’ and the ability to annotate or draw on shared documents. There are some things to consider when deciding which is right for you, including:
- how simple or complex what you want to write or draw is
- whether you want students to be able to interact with it live
- what tools you have available to use and
- what you feel comfortable using.
For example, using a traditional mouse or trackpad for some of these options can be frustrating and lead to poor quality images. However, if you’re comfortable with your mouse or trackpad, it can be easier to stick with what you’re confident with than trying to introduce new technology. It’s always a personal decision, based on your own situation.
There are two elements to consider: 1. how to create your drawings and 2. how you can share those drawings. Some tools do both, but others need to be used in conjunction with each other.
| Tool | Combined with | Ease of use | Best for | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External Software as Whiteboard Tool | External drawing tool (optional) | Medium (may require new skills) | More complex drawings such as formulae. | Bandwidth, prone to latency (delays). More reliable for screencast videos. |
| Documents to Annotate | Webinar tool. External drawing tool (optional). | Easy (if already familiar) | Quick live annotations that can be saved on your device. | Bandwidth, prone to latency (delays). More reliable for screencast videos. |
| Graphics Tablet (e.g. Wacom) | Webinar tool or whiteboard app | Easy | More complex drawings, which need fine precision. | This is a way to create drawings instead of using a mouse, you still need to decide how to share them. |
| Webcam and Tripod | Webinar tool | Medium (needs practice) | Using existing paper documents; keeping things low tech | Needs practice to avoid shadows. |
| Mobile Phone as Camera | Webinar tool | Medium (needs practice) | Keeping things low tech, or for occasional use. Not having to learn new tools (eg using what you are comfortable with). | Needs practice for workable set up and clear image. |
| Tablet as External Whiteboard (iPad/Android) | Webinar tool. Third-party app or software to use as a whiteboard, or document to be annotated. | Medium (many components) | Those comfortable with their tablet, whiteboard software, and webinar tool. | Can be bandwidth heavy, prone to latency (delays). |
Ease of use: Medium (requires new skills if not familiar with the tools).
Best for: More complex drawings such as formulae.
Considerations: Relies on sharing an application live in a webinar tool, thus is dependent on bandwidth and prone to latency (delays). More reliable to create screencast videos.
Combines with: External tools to create drawings eg a graphics tablet, to replace your mouse.
Typically, a dedicated whiteboard app brings greater functionality than the ones provided by webinar/conference tools. By using a dedicated whiteboard app, you can prepare content in advance, then annotate/add to content in a live setting.
One option is Microsoft Whiteboard on Windows. It provides access to a high quality whiteboard which can be screenshared via webinar/conference tools. If you are planning to use this collaboratively, it's better to use the desktop app (available on Windows and iPad). The browser version has limited features and doesn't sync well with what others are drawing. Avoid the ink beautification feature - it can change the text to something completely different than what was written. Other options include Explain Everything.
For those writing formulae, the ability to convert hand writing into text may be useful. On Windows 10, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and OneNote allow you to handwrite equations and convert them to text. Only use OneNote if you are already doing so, as it can be complex to set up for those new to the tool. On iPad, you can do all this with PowerPoint. Other apps and software can also be used to do this, for example Mathpix Snip can be used to scan formulae written on paper, convert them to text and help to solve the problem. The formulae can also be drawn or typed within the app.
See how to insert built-in and custom equations in Word. The process is the same for PowerPoint.
MS Whiteboard (Windows, iPad) has various useful tools that can be used during a live session. The list below is not exhaustive, but may help spark ideas if you haven't used it before.
- Open the app and click on + to create a new Whiteboard.
- You can choose one of the available templates for brainstorming, problem solving etc if it's relevant to your course, or you may opt for a blank background instead.
- You can use the Text tool to write. Clicking on your text will bring up a menu that allows you to edit it or pick a different colour for it.
- You can use the Pen tool to draw or hand write.
- Click on the Pen colour you would like to use. Click on it again to select its thickness.
- You can also use the Ruler for straight lines and the Eraser when you need to erase parts of your drawing.
- Click on the menu button at the top left to select/deselect options that may be useful to you, such as converting drawings to shapes/tables and snapping them into position.
- Click on your drawing and then the ... in the menu that comes up to insert alt text for it.
- You can add images, notes, templates, lists and other elements using the tools at the bottom center. Click on them and then the ... in the menu that comes up to insert alt text for these if needed.
- You can move, resize and delete all of the above (text, drawings, images, etc) to arrange your whiteboard as you like. You can also Like them - this makes more sense when the Whiteboard is shared.
- You can zoom out if you need more space or in to focus on a specific element
- Click on the Invite someone button at the top left and either enter their email address or click on ... for more ways to share, e.g. Create sharing link, turn sharing On, copy it and share it with your students.
- When you are happy with your Whiteboard, go back to the initial screen using the arrow My Whiteboards button and give it a name.
- You can export your whiteboard as an image and include it in the course. Remember to add alt text to it if you do that.
The Ink to Math tool in the Draw tab in Word, PowerPoint and OneNote allows you to hand write an equation, and convert it to text (Windows 10).
First, go to the Draw tab in PowerPoint.
For simple equations:
- Draw an equation with the Pen tool.
- Select it with the Lasso tool.
- Click Ink to Math and again select Ink to Math. It may take a while for the text to become editable.
For more complex equations:
- Click Ink to Math and select Open the Equation Editor.
- Use the Write tool to write the equation.
- Make any modifications needed useing the Erase or Select and Correct tool.
- Click Insert.
- You can format it and edit individual elements.
If you can't see the Draw tab, right-click on empty space on the ribbon under the tabs, select Customise the Ribbon and under Main Tabs on the right check Draw and click OK.
On Mac, there is currently no functionality to draw or convert anything to text/ math in PowerPoint, OneNote, or Word.
While you can draw in Word on iPad, features are limited compared to PowerPoint and drawing won't convert to text or maths. On both, you can type in equations or select from built-in ones.
Ease of use: Easy (if you choose something you’re already familiar with).
Best for: Quick annotations during a presentation, but which you would like saved on your device.
Considerations: Relies on sharing an application live in a webinar tool, thus is dependent on bandwidth and prone to latency (delays). More reliable to create screencast videos.
Combines with: A webinar tool to share your screen/application.
External tools to create drawings eg a graphics tablet, to replace your mouse (not essential, depending on what you want to do).
There are many documents which you probably already use which can be used for live annotations. There are built-in annotations in Microsoft Word using the ‘mark reviewed’ tools. For example, in a live session a Word document can be shared, with the presenter (lecturer or student) editing, changing or highlighting text and explaining their edits live. PowerPoint also has its own annotation tools when a presentation is played as a slideshow, which can be shared in webinar tools using the ‘screen/application’ sharing options.
- Open your presentation, go to the Slide Show tab and click From Beginning to start your Show. The annotation tools are in the menu at the bottom.
- Select the Pen tool and your preferred colour to write or draw. The colour should be dark when writing on pale background, pale when writing on dark background.
- Select the Highlighter tool to highlight text on your slide.
- Select the Eraser tool and then click on an annotation you would like to erase.
- You can deselect any of the above tools by hitting Esc once, or clicking on the tool again.
- Select Erase all Ink on Slide to erase all the highlights, writings and drawings you have made on a particular slide during the show.
- When you End Show - through the menu or by hitting Esc - you can decide whether you want to keep or discard your annotations. If you select Keep, they will be included in your presentation.
Ease of use: Easy.
Best for: More complex drawings, which need fine precision.
Considerations: This is a way to create drawings instead of using a mouse, you still need to decide how to share them.
Combines with: Sharing tools, eg a webinar tool, or whiteboard apps like Microsoft Whiteboard.
A Graphics Tablet effectively replaces your mouse with a pen and slate. Using a pen allows for finer control using whiteboard apps. When held above the slate the pen controls cursor position, and when pressed to the slate the cursor the pen leaves a mark. The pen typically has buttons mapping left and right mouse clicks. These devices are Plug and play across Mac and Windows – no drivers needed and can easily be moved around. They work with most software to provide greater flexibility of use. Because it plugs straight into your computer, it doesn’t add to any bandwidth or latency issues you might have, and as such this should be considered a dependable solution.
Ease of use: Medium (will need practice).
Best for: Using existing paper documents; keeping things low tech.
Considerations: You might need to practice set up to avoid shadows, by adding lighting sources (a desk lamp which you can angle can help).
Combines with: A webinar tool.
A webcam can be mounted on a tripod and angled 90 degrees above paper. Then, you can draw by hand, and the webcam will capture your drawing, like a document camera in a lecture hall. You can do this live, in a synchronous online session using the webcam as you would if you were to show yourself speaking), or record it for asynchronous use. This can be an effective way to capture drawings and handwriting. It can take time to practice this, as writing can be cumbersome if the tripod is in the way. You may also need to find a way to automatically rotate the video 180 degrees, so it shows the right way round. Webcams such as the Hue HD have a posable swan neck and base, removing the need for a tripod and giving greater flexibility. They are useful both as a webcam but also as a visualiser & document cam.
Ease of use: Medium (will need practice).
Best for: Keeping things low tech, or for occasional use. Not having to learn new tools (eg using what you are comfortable with).
Considerations: It’s a good idea to take time working out the set up, and practicing to make sure the image is clear, and you can work with your set up.
Combines with: A webinar tool.
Mobile phone cameras tend to be high quality and can be used in place of webcams in some circumstances. This approach may be more suited to Asynchronous use, e.g. creating a pre- recorded video which you will provide in advance or broadcast during a session. Tripod adaptors and mobile phone tripods are inexpensive, but a similar experience can be achieved with a stack of books and phone overhanging (secured/weighted). Note that for best experience you may need to rotate video 180 degrees, this may need some technical setting up for synchronous scenarios and will be device and platform dependant. This article from Wired gives excellent advice around using a mobile phone as a webcam.
Ease of use: Medium (has many components which need to work together).
Best for: Those who are very comfortable with their tablet, whiteboard software, and webinar tool.
Considerations: The main caveat is it can be bandwidth heavy, with multiple devices connected to your router. There can also be latency issues, with delays in activity on tablet appearing on the mirrored page.
Combines with: A webinar tool. Third-party app or software to use as a whiteboard, or document to be annotated.
Tablet screens can be shared directly into webinar/conference tools by mirroring your screen, or third party apps (such as ivCam) which create a webpage link of content displayed on the tablet screen. For example, Explain Everything allows you to collaborate with others via the web, and this view could be shared within your webinar tool’s ‘screen share’ functionality. This approach can be very effective, bringing much creative potential, however it should be considered reasonably high risk with so many components and users should be comfortable with the technology and how to troubleshoot in the event of issues on the day.
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