Teaching has come a long way from chalkboards and markers. In 2025, the classroom—whether physical or virtual—is increasingly powered by digital tools, with online whiteboards at the center of this transformation. Online whiteboard tools allow teachers to create dynamic, interactive lessons, collaborate with students in real time, and bring concepts to life in ways that traditional methods cannot. These platforms are essential for modern education, enabling teachers to engage students, foster collaboration, and make learning more visual and interactive. In this article, we will explore the best online whiteboard tools for teachers in 2025, highlighting their features, benefits, and real-life applications.
Why Online Whiteboards Matter in Education
Online whiteboards are not just digital replacements for physical boards—they represent a shift in pedagogy. They provide a shared digital space where teachers and students can brainstorm, draw, write, and share ideas. This visual and collaborative approach helps students understand complex concepts, encourages participation, and bridges the gap between in-person and remote learning. A case study in a U.S. middle school found that when online whiteboards were introduced, student participation in group discussions increased by 40%.
Top Online Whiteboard Tools for Teachers in 2025
1. Miro
Miro is one of the most popular online whiteboard platforms, widely used in education and business. It offers templates for lesson planning, mind maps, and brainstorming. Teachers can invite students to collaborate in real time, making it ideal for group projects. For example, a high school in Canada used Miro to facilitate collaborative science experiments, allowing students to map out hypotheses and record results together.
2. Jamboard (by Google)
Google Jamboard remains a favorite among teachers thanks to its integration with Google Workspace. Teachers can easily pull in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides to the whiteboard. Jamboard is also free for schools using Google for Education, which makes it budget-friendly. Teachers in Mexico reported that using Jamboard increased student engagement because it allowed them to brainstorm ideas visually during virtual classes.
3. Microsoft Whiteboard
For schools already using Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Whiteboard is an excellent choice. It integrates seamlessly with Teams and OneNote, making it easy for teachers to share content and track student work. A university professor in the UK shared that Microsoft Whiteboard allowed her to conduct real-time problem-solving sessions in math classes, where students worked on equations together.
4. Ziteboard
Ziteboard is a lightweight and simple whiteboard tool perfect for quick brainstorming sessions or tutoring. It’s browser-based, so no installations are required. Teachers in developing regions, where internet bandwidth may be limited, prefer Ziteboard for its low data usage and ease of access.
5. Explain Everything
Explain Everything is designed specifically for educators. It allows teachers to record lessons, draw diagrams, and collaborate with students live. Its standout feature is its ability to record whiteboard activity along with voiceovers, turning lessons into shareable videos. A math teacher in India used Explain Everything to create video tutorials for algebra, which students could rewatch for revision.
6. Conceptboard
Conceptboard is widely used in higher education for collaborative research and project-based learning. It supports sticky notes, file sharing, and interactive boards. In Germany, university students used Conceptboard to plan an engineering project, enabling teachers to monitor and guide progress remotely.
7. Whiteboard.fi
Whiteboard.fi is tailored for classrooms where teachers want to see individual student responses. Teachers can create boards for each student and monitor their work in real time. This makes it perfect for quizzes, instant feedback, and formative assessments. For example, a teacher in the U.S. used Whiteboard.fi to conduct real-time math quizzes and identify struggling students instantly.
8. Stormboard
Stormboard combines whiteboarding with project management. Teachers can use it to create lesson plans, assign tasks, and facilitate group discussions. Its structured templates help organize brainstorming sessions effectively. A teacher in South Africa reported that Stormboard improved classroom collaboration by giving each student a voice in group discussions.
9. Limnu
Limnu is known for its realistic whiteboard experience. It mimics the feel of drawing on a physical board while offering digital flexibility. Teachers who prefer a natural, marker-like writing experience often choose Limnu. It’s widely used for art and design classes, where visual representation is critical.
10. MURAL
MURAL is a collaborative online whiteboard platform used in both education and business. Its strength lies in visual thinking tools like diagrams and templates. Teachers in Brazil used MURAL to facilitate design-thinking workshops for students, encouraging creativity and problem-solving skills.
Benefits of Online Whiteboard Tools for Teachers
- Enhance student engagement with visual and interactive content.
- Facilitate collaboration across different locations.
- Allow recording and reusing of lessons.
- Provide real-time feedback and assessment opportunities.
- Cater to various learning styles, including visual and kinesthetic learners.
Challenges of Online Whiteboards
While online whiteboards are powerful, they also come with challenges. Teachers must be trained to use them effectively, and not all schools have the resources to support high-speed internet or modern devices. Additionally, maintaining student focus in a digital environment requires careful planning and structured use of these tools.
The Future of Online Whiteboards in Education
Looking forward, online whiteboards will likely integrate more advanced features like AI assistance, handwriting recognition, and immersive VR experiences. These innovations will make lessons even more interactive and accessible. However, the human connection between teacher and student will continue to be essential, with online whiteboards serving as powerful support tools.
Conclusion
Online whiteboard tools are transforming the way teachers deliver lessons in 2025. They enable collaboration, interactivity, and creativity in classrooms worldwide. From Miro and Jamboard to Explain Everything and MURAL, these platforms provide teachers with endless possibilities for engaging students and improving learning outcomes. As schools continue to embrace digital transformation, online whiteboards will remain at the forefront of modern education.
References
- https://www.edutopia.org/article/benefits-of-online-whiteboards
- https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2024/02/top-digital-tools-teachers
- https://www.educationcorner.com/interactive-teaching-tools
- https://www.timeshighereducation.com/advice/using-whiteboards-classroom
- https://www.brookings.edu/research/digital-tools-education
- https://theconversation.com/online-collaboration-in-classrooms
- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/03/edtech-tools-classroom-future
- https://forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2024/04/best-tools-remote-teaching
- https://www.educationworld.com/teachers-guide-whiteboard-tools
- https://www.chronicle.com/article/online-tools-for-interactive-lessons
Imran Ali is the founder of FreeSEOSmasher, with years of experience in digital education tools, website development, and online learning solutions. He is passionate about helping students, teachers, and parents discover reliable EdTech tools that make learning smarter and more accessible.