Yesterday was our first official day of SUMMER.  So after a thunderstorm curtailed my gardening plans, I thought I’d check out some apps that have been on my to-do list for a while.   First up:  Twiddla, an online collaborative whiteboard.  Why a collaborative whiteboard?  Our school district uses Google Apps and there are many beneficial collaborative options through Google docs, sheets, etc. The problem:  Mathematics just doesn’t translate very well when typed or through a computer medium.  If I’d like kids to collaborate in real-time via the web, Twiddla might be a viable option for students to collaborate in real time online, with a blank canvas.

What I like:

• No login required.  Just post the web address and kids are good to go.
• PDF’s and images are insertable into the background.
• There is a grid background as well.
• Students can “chat” or audio conference while working.
• A variety of colors, shapes, and line thicknesses can be utilized.
• The Pro version (usually $14/month) is free for educators and students.
• The writing is very smooth without a stylus.

What I did not like as much:

• Annotations are added when writer “pauses” rather than as they are writing.
• An “undo” button would be helpful.

Some screenshots from my twiddla-created session:

Now, I’ll have to wait until Fall to test this app out with students, but I’m optimistic about it’s potential.  It could just be one of those things that’s “cool” but in reality, pencil and paper will do.