Using Private Mode in Zoom Whiteboard

Private Mode is a helpful facilitation tool in Zoom Whiteboard that allows meeting participants to generate sticky notes and ideas privately, without being influenced by others. By temporarily hiding sticky notes from view and hiding authorship data, Private Mode ensures that each person can contribute independently and share their thoughts freely.

Requirements for using private mode in Zoom Whiteboard

• Zoom desktop app for Windows, macOS, or Linux: Global minimum version or higher
• Zoom mobile app for Android or iOS: Global minimum version or higher
• Zoom web portal
• Zoom Whiteboard Plus license

How to use Private Mode during a meeting

1. Start your meeting or webinar from the Zoom desktop app.
2. From the whiteboard toolbar, click on the Facilitation Tools icon at the top and select Private Mode.

Once activated:

• Any sticky notes added or edited will remain visible only to the author.
• All participants in the meeting automatically join the Private Mode session.
• Users outside the meeting will not be affected.

Private Mode controls appear at the top of the screen, enabling you to manage the session as needed.

How to end Private Mode

The person who started the Private Mode session, or a designated board owner, can press the End Private Mode button to conclude the session.

Here’s what happens after Private Mode ends:

• All previously hidden sticky notes are revealed to all participants.
• Authorship information for all content remains hidden and anonymous, even after Private Mode ends.
• While meeting activity logs mask authorship data, admins can access this information via the dashboard.

A notification will appear to inform participants that Private Mode has ended.

Who can manage Private Mode sessions

The following individuals can manage and end a Private Mode session:

• The person who shared the whiteboard in the meeting
• Board owners
• The individual who started the Private Mode session
• Meeting owners

Best practices for using Private Mode

• Control group dynamics: Use Private Mode to reduce groupthink and allow participants to express their ideas independently.
• Focused ideation: Activate Private Mode during brainstorming sessions or retrospectives to provide participants with the space to think and create without distractions.
• Collaborative reveal: After ending Private Mode, encourage participants to share their sticky notes and discuss their insights openly.

Private Mode FAQs

• What is Private Mode, and how does it work?
  • Private Mode hides sticky notes while participants create or edit them. Once the session ends, all hidden notes are revealed to everyone while authorship stays hidden on the board.
   
• Does Private Mode affect all whiteboard objects?
  • No, Private Mode currently only affects sticky notes.
   
• Who can see the sticky notes during Private Mode?
  • Only the author can see their own sticky notes while Private Mode is active.
   
• How do I know if a session is in Private Mode?
  • A Private Mode indicator will appear at the top of the whiteboard, along with a notification message when the mode is active.
   
• What happens when Private Mode ends?
  • All sticky notes created or edited during the session are revealed to all participants, promoting transparency.