Zoom is a popular video conferencing platform that offers useful collaboration features like screen sharing, annotations, and whiteboards. These tools allow meeting participants to draw, write, highlight, or add symbols over a shared screen or whiteboard to communicate ideas more effectively.
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Enabling Annotations and Whiteboard in Zoom
Before you can use annotations or the whiteboard in Zoom meetings, make sure the features are enabled:
For annotations:
- Sign in to the Zoom web portal
- Go to Settings > Meeting > In Meeting (Basic)
- Enable the “Annotation” option
- Save changes
For whiteboard:
- Go to Settings > Meeting > In Meeting (Basic)
- Enable the “Whiteboard” option
- Save changes
As the meeting host, you can also control if participants can annotate by going to the annotation settings during a meeting.
Using Annotations in Zoom Meetings
Annotations allow meeting participants to draw, write, or add symbols over a shared screen. Here are the steps:
For the participant sharing screen:
- Start sharing your screen in the Zoom meeting
- Click on the “Annotate” icon in the toolbar
- Select the annotation tool you want to use
Tools include:
- Pen
- Highlighter
- Text
- Draw shapes
- Add arrows
- Eraser
For other participants:
- View the shared screen
- Click on “View Options” > “Annotate”
- An annotation toolbar will appear – use the tools to annotate over the shared screen
Annotations can make your Zoom meetings more engaging and collaborative. Use annotations to explain concepts, give feedback, brainstorm ideas, mark up documents, and more.
Using the Whiteboard in Zoom
The Zoom whiteboard provides a blank space where participants can freely draw and collaborate. Follow these steps:
To start the whiteboard:
- Click “Share Screen” in your Zoom meeting
- Select “Whiteboard”
- Click “Share”
- The whiteboard will open with annotation tools
To use the whiteboard:
- Use the text, pen, and shape tools to write or draw
- Add images by clicking the “Insert” tab
- Insert math equations with LaTeX
- Click the menu to add new pages, save, clear, etc.
The whiteboard is great for brainstorming sessions, working through math problems, sketching ideas, and running collaborative workshops. Enable screen sharing so all participants can watch you draw on the whiteboard.
Best Practices for Annotations and Whiteboard
Here are some tips to use Zoom annotations and whiteboard effectively:
- Set expectations – Tell participants you’ll be using the features so everyone is prepared
- Give annotation rights – Allow all or only some participants to annotate
- Use page controls – Add pages and switch between them for more space
- Use shapes and lines – Use lines and shapes to organize information
- Customize tools – Change the pen color, width, opacity as needed
- Save your work – Save annotations and whiteboards so you can access them later
- Share whiteboard – Broadcast your whiteboard to all participants
- Review recordings – Annotations will be captured in meeting recordings
Zoom’s Advantages for Visual Collaboration
Zoom makes collaborating visually with a distributed team simple. Benefits include:
- Real-time drawing and writing
- Flexible annotation tools
- Persistent whiteboard space
- Easy sharing across devices
- Captures work for later reference
- Requires no additional hardware
With screen sharing and the interactive whiteboard, Zoom can replace physical boardrooms and flip charts for teams who need to sketch ideas visually and work together.
Whether you’re running a remote workshop, teaching a virtual class, delivering training, or brainstorming with your team, Zoom’s annotation and whiteboard features facilitate engaging visual collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I annotate over any shared screen in Zoom?
A: Yes, as long as the host has enabled annotations and given you access. Click on “View Options” followed by “Annotate” to start annotating over a shared screen.
Q: Is the Zoom whiteboard available on mobile devices?
A: Yes, mobile users can view, interact with, and annotate over a shared whiteboard. However, starting a new whiteboard is only available on the Zoom desktop client.
Q: Do I need a paid Zoom plan to use annotations or whiteboard?
A: No, Zoom’s free basic plan supports both annotation tools and whiteboard features. However, advanced whiteboard settings require a paid Zoom subscription.
Q: Can I save my annotations and whiteboards in Zoom meetings?
A: Yes! Zoom gives you options to save all your visual work, both during and after meetings. You’ll find the “Save” options within annotation toolbars and whiteboard menus.
Conclusion
Annotations and built-in whiteboard enable effortless visual collaboration in Zoom meetings. From graphic designers reviewing artwork to teachers explaining math equations, these tools make it simple to draw, write, and engage your remote teams.
Enable annotations and whiteboards in your Zoom account settings. Then during your next meeting, start annotating over shared screens or launch a whiteboard session to capture ideas. Use Zoom’s visual features to bring your remote teams closer together!
