Why online whiteboards need to be fast

Online whiteboards are useful for working together from different locations, virtual classes, and coming up with new ideas. But not all online whiteboards are the same. One thing that people often overlook when choosing an online whiteboard is the speed and responsiveness of the application

While extra features and tools can usually be added when needed, the speed and responsiveness of an online whiteboard are usually closer to its core and depend on how it’s made and designed. At Kedyou we pride ourself on being responsive and lightning fast fast - you can see how we measure up agaisnt online whiteboards here

In this blog post, we’ll explain why the speed of online whiteboards is important and how it can make a big difference in collaboration and learning

👎 Slow online whiteboards leave people behind

When you’re teaching a group of people online and using a digital whiteboard to explain something complicated, it’s important that what you’re saying matches up with what people see on the whiteboard. We usually know this intuitively. Many people say it’s easier to teach in person because ideas flow more smoothly, and they feel more connected to their students or peers but struggle to explain why. One reason is that when you’re in person, there’s no delay between what you say, what people see, and how they can work together

When using an online whiteboard, if there’s a lag or delay for others to see what you’re doing, they have to try to match what they heard before with what they see now, all while also listening to what you’re currently saying. This is mentally demanding and can interrupt the flow of ideas and understanding of new information. This is doable for someone who already understands the concept, but for someone who doesn’t understand and is trying hard to follow along, this extra mental effort makes using the online whiteboard tiring and frustrating. It often means they will have a harder time understanding and may fall behind, feel discouraged or become disengaged. Unfortunately, the people who need collaboration and interactive explanations the most are the ones who suffer the most when the online whiteboard is slow or laggy

🚗 Fast and responsive = Authentic and real

When you’re teaching in person, things happen naturally and smoothly without any sudden or delayed visual changes. However, when using an online whiteboard that lags or responds slowly, it disrupts this natural flow. In face-to-face lessons, you don’t instantly see numbers, letters, or shapes appear on a page. If students or peers who rely on visual cues to understand concepts don’t see your actions unfolding in real time, they may struggle to understand the concept

A responsive online whiteboard replicates the natural process of writing or drawing. This enables others to follow your explanations by connecting your spoken words with the visual demonstrations. When audio, video, and visual cues are synchronized quickly, it creates a more authentic learning experience that resembles in-person interactions. This can improve rapport with the tutor and helps everyone feel more connected, and engaged. A synchronised and fast experience also prevents people from falling behind and ensures a smoother learning or meeting experience

🚀 Conclusion: Do online whiteboards need to be fast?

The speed and responsiveness of an online whiteboard directly influence the effectiveness of tutoring, the quality of the learning experience, and the overall productivity of collaborative efforts. Fast online whiteboards improve participant engagement and feel authentic while making the learning experience easier. When choosing an online whiteboard, prioritize speed and responsiveness to unlock the full potential of virtual collaboration and learning