Zoom Whiteboard

Note: This article contains links and information specific to Whiting School of Engineering faculty and staff. JHU students can access licensed Zoom accounts through the Zoom for Students page. Other JH affiliates are encouraged to use the appropriate Zoom login for their unit, information about which can be found on the Faculty and Staff Zoom Support page.

Zoom Whiteboard Overview

Zoom Whiteboard is a tool for brainstorming and collaboration, integrated into the Zoom meetings platform. You can use Whiteboards to sketch out ideas, process maps, and more, using your web browser, tablet, or touchscreen room display. Whiteboards include the ability to layer images, text, sticky notes, and drawings, with contributions identified by the users who added them.

Prerequisites for using Zoom Whiteboards

Zoom Whiteboards can be used in your web browser (outside a meeting only) or Zoom app of choice. If using it with an app, update your client to at least the following versions:

• • Zoom desktop client
    • Windows: 5.10.3 or higher
    • macOS: 5.10.3 or higher
    • Linux: 5.10.3 or higher
  • Zoom mobile app*
    • Android: 5.10.3 or higher
    • iOS: 5.10.3 or higher
      *Note: Zoom Whiteboards can only be viewed and edited when using the Zoom mobile app on a tablet or iPad. When using the Zoom mobile app on a smaller mobile device, such as a phone, you will only be able to view Zoom Whiteboards. 
  • Zoom Rooms
    • Whiteboard can be used in Zoom Rooms with a variety of connected touchscreen devices. If you have questions about using Whiteboard in your Whiting School of Engineering managed Zoom Room, please reach out to our team at CLDTSupport@jhu.edu and include the room number with your question.

Using Zoom Whiteboards

Zoom Whiteboards can be used both in and outside of meetings, allowing for synchronous and asynchronous collaboration on the same board. Zoom Whiteboards can be accessed from a variety of places, for more information about joining from mobile apps or Zoom Rooms, please see the Official Zoom Documentation for Whiteboards.

Accessing Whiteboards outside a meeting from the Zoom website

Log in to the WSE Zoom website with your JHED credentials, and navigate to the Whiteboards page.

From the Whiteboards page you can:

1. Create a new Whiteboard with the +New button.
2. Manage an existing Whiteboard with the three dot menu next to the whiteboard in the list.
3. Browse Whiteboards you have access to using All Whiteboards, My Whiteboards. (Whiteboards you have created), Shared with Me (Whiteboards you have been added to), Starred (Whiteboards you have marked as important to find later) and Trash (Whiteboards you have discarded) options.
   

Accessing Whiteboards from within a Zoom meeting using the desktop app

1. Make sure that you are signed in to your Zoom account. Instructions for WSE Zoom users can be found in our Zoom Quick Start Guide article.
2. Start your meeting.
   Note: if you do not want anyone other than the host to be able to share a Whiteboard, open the Security menu and uncheck "Whiteboards." If this is left checked, anyone in the meeting will be able to open a new Whiteboard, which will automatically be shared with all participants.
   
3. Locate the Whiteboards button in the control bar and select it.
   
4. Select New Whiteboard or an existing one from the list. Then, set the participant options per your preferences and click Open and Collaborate to launch the Whiteboard.
   • Allow Attendees to access after meeting: Check this box if attendees should have access to this whiteboard from their own Zoom account after the meeting has ended.
   • All Participants can edit or view: Select whether meeting attendees should be able to edit the whiteboard by default. You can change this while the meeting is in progress by clicking the Share button in the Whiteboard.
     
5. To stop the Whiteboard sharing session, click the red Close Whiteboard button at the top of the Zoom window.
   

Accessing Whiteboards outside a meeting with the Zoom app

To create, edit, or view a whiteboard in the Zoom app without joining or hosting a meeting, log in to the Zoom desktop app and navigate to the Whiteboards section.

Official Zoom Documentation for Whiteboards

Information on accessing and using Whiteboards on other devices, and more information about using Whiteboards, can be found on the following Zoom web pages:

• Getting Started with Zoom Whiteboard
  • This article includes basic instructions for accessing, creating, and sharing Whiteboards to get you using Whiteboard as quickly as possible. This article is recommended for those looking to check out the tool and experiment with it on their own.
• Zoom Whiteboard User Guide
  • This article provides an in-depth overview of Zoom Whiteboard, including detailed instructions for creating, editing, and sharing Whiteboards, as well as explanations of the features, controls, and management of Whiteboards. This article is recommended for those looking to use Whiteboards for productivity and who wish to have a deep understanding of the tool.