Countdown Timers on Microsoft Whiteboard

Illustration of Countdown timer for Microsoft whiteboard and Google Jamboard
Some virtual whiteboards include countdown timers. However, in two well known examples the countdown timer is either hidden entirely, or is tucked out of the way so as not to distract people. They both have a very noticeable finish, but that sort of defeats the point of a countdown.
We want people to be able to use a prominent timer to help them better manage their use of the time available. We don’t want to ‘catch them by suprise’.
Sadly, the whiteboards I am referring to do not support GIFs and therefore cannot operate the Toolchest countdown timers.
But, one simple, straightforward whiteboard solution that CAN support GIFs is Microsoft Whiteboard, which is also free to most of us. And in this case, the countdown timer is added by simply uploading it as an image from your computer.  Please note, you can save it to your computer in the first place by simply right clicking it, and choosing the ‘save image as …’ option.

Countdown Timers on Microsoft Whiteboard

Adding countdown timer to Microsoft WhiteboardMicrosoft Whiteboard is great for simple collaborations between people. It supports notes, typing, handwriting and drawing (annotation). Adding a countdown timer to the board is a very simple process:
  1. Save the timer that you want to your computer by right-clicking it and clicking ‘Save image as …’
  2. From within Microsoft Whiteboard , click the ‘Image menu’ button
  3. Select ‘Library image’, navigate to where you saved the timer, and select it
  4. Move it to where you want it on the Whiteboard, and lock it in position
  5. Use the play and pause controls which appear within the timer to control it
45 second quadrant timerTry it out in Whiteboard now, using the countdown timer on the right. Simply right click it, save it to your computer and then upload it.  Or find your own timer at: https://meeting.toolchest.org/timers

Zoom Whiteboard

There is no current way of adding an image or a timer to Zoom Whiteboard. But, the whiteboard is simply Zoom’s shared screen annotation facility on a blank (shared) screen. And therefore you can include images (and timers) by sharing their screen and switching on annotation tools. That said, it is not intended to compete as a collaborative tool, and should be used as such with caution.

 

 
 
 
 
Track your progress to ensure the efficacy of this strategy.