Top 3 Reasons to Replace Jamboard with Lumio

Christine Bell
Editor
Blog on October 06 2023

You may have heard that Google will be adding another one of its apps to the Google graveyard. In an announcement via blog post in September, Google revealed that it will be discontinuing its innovative whiteboarding app, Jamboard. The app and its accompanying hardware will be joining the likes of Google+ and Google Glass on that euphemistic farm upstate. Don’t panic! You’ve got time and options. Read on for all the details and the best solution for replacement. 

Jamboard wind-down  

First, here are some key details of the Jamboard wind-down: 

  • Jamboard will continue to function through September 30th, 2024. 
  • On October 1st, 2024, Jamboard will be “view only,” meaning no edits or new Jams. 
  • After December 31st, 2024, Jamboard and Jams will be inaccessible. 
  • Google will be automatically converting remaining Jams to PDF files and storing them in your Drive – meaning your Jams won’t be deleted, just converted (thanks Google, that’s nice of you!) 

So, what now? 

Goodbye Jamboard, hello Lumio! 

While it’s a shame that Google is axing a fan-favorite app, there are alternatives on the market. Google is partnering with FigJam, Lucidspark, and Miro for digital whiteboard alternatives. While all three can be used in an educational setting, they weren’t designed specifically for educational applications. For this reason, I think your best option is switching over to Lumio by SMART.  

Lumio offers a digital whiteboard with similar features to Jamboard, but it also has so much more to offer. Plus, because it was specifically designed for education spaces, it includes features that will help with communication, classroom management, and engagement in ways other apps can’t. Best of all, you can set up a free Lumio account in seconds and start using it immediately. Here are the top three reasons I think a switch to Lumio is your best option. 

 1. Use what you’ve got 

One of my favorite parts about Lumio is that it makes it easy to get started. Plus, it gives you the ability to use the resources you already have. This ease-of-use starts from sign up. You can use any email address or login with your Google credentials. Once you’ve set up your account, you can import any PDF, PowerPoint, or Notebook file from your computer or directly from Google Drive. (Remember those Jams converted to PDFs? Just upload them to Lumio and go!) In addition, Lumio gives you the option to upload all slides/pages in a file or select just the ones you want. If you’ve logged in using your Google account, any files you upload to Lumio from your computer will be added to your Google Drive as well.  

Once your file is uploaded, you can edit, reorganize, add interactive content and – get ready for it – make any slide an individual, group, or whole class handout that students can interact with synchronously or asynchronously! Just note that if you want students to be able to do things like drag and drop objects on a slide, you will need to be using a Notebook file or interactive PPT. Students can add text, draw/write, and insert images/links on any page you’ve made a handout. 

Lumio student toolbar showing pointe, pen, erasrer, shape/image/link and text buttons. Image search option is expanded.
The student tool bar in Lumio which can be used on any slide that has been converted to a handout.

Did you notice that? Because any slide can be a handout you can make anything and everything a whiteboard! Pretty cool, right? Plus, the options for who to hand it out to means there are more opportunities for different types of collaboration, reflection, and learning.  

2. Ultimate control and flexibility tools 

Any lesson in your Lumio library is editable, deliverable, and customizable. Once you are ready to deliver, you can share your class code with students, and they will get the lesson on their devices. Toggle between teacher and student paced as needed to control your lesson. This means you can prevent students from being off task or let them explore on their own.  

As mentioned above, collaboration opportunities are legion! Any slide can be a class whiteboard where students can add text, draw, and insert media. You can also make that same slide a small group handout. When you choose this option, you’ll be prompted to group students. You can also make slides individual handouts and view each student’s work, keep it private, or share with the class. 

The convert to activity screen on Lumio showing Individual Handout, Group Workspace, and Whole-class Whiteboard options.
You can convert any page into an activity during delivery and choose from Individual Handout, Group Workspace, or Whole-Class Whiteboard.

Additionally, there are sharing options for any lesson. You can choose to share with students so they can complete work asynchronously. You can also share your lesson with other teachers who will receive a copy of their own that they can edit. 

Taking this flexibility and engagement even further, Lumio provides templates and activities that are simple to add in during lesson planning, or even on the fly mid-class. One of my favorites is Shout It Out! You can post a question, share it out on student devices, and watch on your class board as answers roll in. You can choose to attach names or keep responses anonymous. Plus, you can add in categories, set a response limit, and have students respond with text or images. This is a great way to kick off a lesson, get feedback, take a poll, or do a quick assessment of student understanding.  

3. A treasure trove of content 

Along with uploading existing content, you can add pre-made content from Lumio to any lesson or create lessons from scratch. Maybe you need more interactive media; add a YouTube video, PhET or Desmos simulation, or a manipulative. Need a quick assessment? Pop in a Shout It Out! or a Response quiz. However, it’s the games and activities that really set Lumio apart. There are a dozen to choose from and all are customizable with a few simple clicks. You can set up a fun and polished looking matching game, quiz show, review game, and more in minutes! 

The Add New page in Lumio showing options for uploading files, searching the Lumio Library, YouTube, Desmos, PhET, New Page, Shout It Out, Response, Game-based activities and ready made resources like Activating Prior knowledge, questioning & reflection, manipulatives, and graphic organizers.
Lumio makes it a cinch to add in content from files, incorporate media, use customizable ready-made resources, do a quick assessment, or even add in game-based activities.

In addition to all of the content offered by Lumio, you can also access teacher-created content in the Lumio Library. You can search the library by keyword, or you can browse content by collection or subject and use the filters to narrow down results. There are thousands of options to choose from, created by educators and organizations (like the Active Learning lessons by Teq section at the bottom of the library home page). 

So, while there are many other digital whiteboard options out there, I don’t think any hold a candle to Lumio in terms of ease of use, classroom-ready features, and content. Pour one out for Jamboard, and then join Lumio and realize it’s even better! For more on using Lumio, check out our Lumio category on OTIS or get a quick howto on a feature or tool in our Lumio Skills section.  


For more tips, tricks, and tools for teaching in and out of the classroom, check out more content on the Teq Talk blog or our YouTube channels OTIS for educators and Tequipment.

We also offer virtual professional development, training, and support with OTIS for educators. Explore the technology and strategies that spark student success — no matter where teaching or learning are happening!

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