App+4+Lucidchart

What is Lucidchart and what can it do for me?
Lucidchart helps you make and share diagrams without having to install any software, because it's online. You can use it from your browser, and if you're on Chrome, add it from the Chrome Web Store. Drag and drop shapes from the extensive library to build your diagrams, and drag to make connections between these shapes. If you use Visio, you can import and export your diagrams from Lucidchart. It works on Mac and PC and there's a free iPad app too.

Imagine that you need to explain the design of a database to your students. A flowchart diagram will achieve this more effectively that a written description. Need to collaborate on the diagram with a colleague? Share it with them and they'll be able to edit, comment on or just view the diagram.

Take a look at this example of a flowchart created in Lucidchart, which maps out the design of a database. © The Open Polytechnic

Watch this video (90 secs) to get an idea of what it can do. media type="youtube" key="sHk0CzKaS6Y" width="560" height="315"

To see how you can insert your Lucidchart project into the iQualify learning platform, watch this 3min 51sec video.

Can a diagram making app such as Lucidchart replace or transform the learner experience?
Amplification Take the example of Venn diagrams for comparing three theories of business ethics. These can be used for comparison and contrast of the theories. Where there are common themes between theories, these are placed where the circles overlap. The differences are written where the circles separate. The commonalities and differences between theories are harder to express through a table or chart. As a basic scaffolding exercise, you could make a blank diagram in Lucidchart, give the students a list of terms, and have them work out where the terms go by sharing the diagram with them.

Transformation If we stick with our three theories of business ethics example, we can have the students identify the most important characteristics of each theory themselves, then draw a diagram to represent those characteristics and place the theories in the diagram. Lucidchart allows students to collaborate with others on the course and also externally, broadening the scope of collaboration beyond the classroom.

Challenge yourself

 * 1) Create an account for yourself with Lucidchart, either through the website, or by downloading the Chrome app. You may be able to upgrade to a free educational account, which has more features than the basic one.
 * 2) Design a flowchart to describe something that you did this morning, for example the steps you followed to make your cup of coffee, or the order that you got ready for your day ahead.
 * 3) Share this diagram by posting the link in this blog.