FigJam is the collaborative whiteboard feature within the design suite offered by Figma.
FigJam offers a free plan that’s perfect for individual use and classrooms. However, educators can also sign up for a free Figma education plan to unlock even more features.
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Get started by creating an account for FigJam at the Figma website.
To create a FigJam, just look for the “New FigJam Board” button at the top of the screen.
An alternative option is to locate the file browser on the left side of the screen (where it shows a list of all your design projects). Selecting drafts will take you to a page that has a “+” button that says “create new” at the top right of the screen. Click on it to see the different types of files you can create. Choose “FigJam board” to start your new brainstorming space.
From the file browser, you can also check the “Recents” or “Drafts” section to see if you have any FigJam files you recently opened or started but haven’t finished. If you see one you want to keep working on, just click it!
Pro tip: Once you have an account set up, you can type “figjam.new” in your address bar for a shortcut to directly create a new FigJam file. This bypasses the need to navigate through the Figma website each time you want to make a new FigJam.
Import Smekens resources into a FigJam
After creating a new FigJam, you can place an image as a backdrop by simply dragging and dropping a file on the white space.
You can also use the “+” button on the toolbar to reveal more options. Instead of choosing a specific FigJam element, click the “+” and then select “More” from the tabs that appear at the top of that open window.
In the “More” menu, click on “Media.” This will open your file browser. Now, simply navigate to your saved files and choose the Smekens resource you want to add to your FigJam board. This might include some of your favorite blackline masters—T-Charts, ABC Charts, Storyboards, Dissected Webs, etc.
IMPORTANT: How to make a copy
To use these FigJam templates, do not click “Ask to edit.” Rather, click the dropdown arrow beside the name of the file and choose the “Duplicate to your drafts” option. This provides you with your own copy of the file.
FigJam does allow PDF files to be imported. However, they may not transfer correctly. To work around this, take your favorite PDF files, print them out, and then scan them as JPEG images. If you have it in a Google slide file, just download it as a JPEG image. Or, another option would be to use a snipping tool to create a snippet of the PDF.
Model how to use FigJam for students
As with any digital learning tool, be sure to set aside time to model how FigJam works. Some important features to model include:
Select tool (usually the default): This allows you to select and move objects around the board.
Pan: Click and hold to grab and pan the board around without accidentally selecting objects.
Zoom tool: Zoom in (+) and out (-) of the board for a closer look or a broader view.
Creation tools:
Highlighter: Select this tool to allow freehand drawing in addition to opening more options for highlighter and marker colors, washi tape, and an eraser.
Sticky notes: Click on the sticky note to open the color selection. Drag the sticky note onto the white space to create a new note to type into.
Shapes: Click any shape to open a variety of shapes, lines, and arrows for creating diagrams, flowcharts, and mind maps.
Text: Create text boxes to add labels, titles, or explanations to the board.
Sections: Create sections to help organize content and promote easy navigation and collaboration. Teachers can hide and reveal sections as a lesson progresses.
For example, model how to make colored sticky notes using the ABC Chart. Demonstrate how to brainstorm facts/details on any concept, complete the ABC Chart with digital sticky notes, and even move them into organized groupings.
Collaborate online with FigJam
Select the SHARE button and identify which students (or whole classes) need access to the same FigJam in order to collaborate in real time. (Remember, you can “duplicate” a draft FigJam on the main page and customize and designate different FigJams to different groups of students.)
Assess student work with FigJam
One of the most valuable features of FigJam is the “export selection” option. After a group of students has completed their online collaboration, they can save their work as a PDF through the file menu in the top left of the screen or by simply right-clicking on any item on the board and selecting “export selection” on the menu that appears.
The real-time collaboration offered by FigJam has so many potential uses. This online collaborative tool can offer a great way to make paper-based Smekens resources fit paperless and digital classrooms.
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