Lucidchart is an amazing program that has multiple uses. Although designed to create traditional concept maps and flowcharts, Lucidchart is a program that is only limited by your imagination. Below are some examples of the different ways that I use Lucidchart in my classroom.
Traditional Flow Chart
Below is a link to a flow chart that I created using Lucidchart to help my students understand the logical process of how to write the chemical formulas of 3 different compounds: Ionic Compounds, Molecular (Covalent) Compounds, & Acids. I found a similar flowchart online and modified it into the product you see below. Although there are quite a few rules to writing the formulas for compounds, by presenting them in this sequential manner, the student is given a logical progression to follow in every instance. Through practice & repetition, this logical progression becomes second nature to the student.
Writing Chemical Formula's Flowchart
I have also used flow charts as an assignment in class to help students understand differences and similarities in related concepts. Below is a flow chart created by a student to differentiate between types of matter.
Student Matter Flow Chart
Timelines
Below is a link to another use for Lucidchart from my Chemistry class. Rather than hear a boring lecture on the historical development of the understanding of the atom, students were given a list of scientists who contributed to the development of our current understanding of the atom. The students researched these scientists and included basic information about them in the correct positions on the timeline. Students also had to place three significant world events during each time period. I created the timeline as a template and then shared the link to students to add their information.
Student Atomic Timeline Project
Crime Scene Sketch
Possibly the coolest use for LucidChart comes in my Forensic Science class where the students use it to create a sketch of the crime scene for their final. Lucidchart's integration with Google Images allows students to get as creative as they link with the sketch. Below is just one example.
Student Final Crime Scene Sketch
Traditional Flow Chart
Below is a link to a flow chart that I created using Lucidchart to help my students understand the logical process of how to write the chemical formulas of 3 different compounds: Ionic Compounds, Molecular (Covalent) Compounds, & Acids. I found a similar flowchart online and modified it into the product you see below. Although there are quite a few rules to writing the formulas for compounds, by presenting them in this sequential manner, the student is given a logical progression to follow in every instance. Through practice & repetition, this logical progression becomes second nature to the student.
Writing Chemical Formula's Flowchart
I have also used flow charts as an assignment in class to help students understand differences and similarities in related concepts. Below is a flow chart created by a student to differentiate between types of matter.
Student Matter Flow Chart
Timelines
Below is a link to another use for Lucidchart from my Chemistry class. Rather than hear a boring lecture on the historical development of the understanding of the atom, students were given a list of scientists who contributed to the development of our current understanding of the atom. The students researched these scientists and included basic information about them in the correct positions on the timeline. Students also had to place three significant world events during each time period. I created the timeline as a template and then shared the link to students to add their information.
Student Atomic Timeline Project
Crime Scene Sketch
Possibly the coolest use for LucidChart comes in my Forensic Science class where the students use it to create a sketch of the crime scene for their final. Lucidchart's integration with Google Images allows students to get as creative as they link with the sketch. Below is just one example.
Student Final Crime Scene Sketch
Lucidpress is a recent addition to our Google accounts. Taken from it's own website, "Lucidpress is a web-based, drag & drop publishing app that enables anyone to create stunning print and digital content."
Much like Lucidchart, the uses for Lucidpress in the classroom are limited only by your own creativity. Personally, I tend toward to most obvious choice first to allow myself and my students the opportunity to learn the "ins & outs" of the web-based application. One obvious application is through the use of student created brochures. In my Earth Science class, we are currently conducting student-led lessons. As the name implies, the students must create and administer these lessons. While the lessons take many different forms, each group must generate certain work products to be submitted for a grade. One of the common pieces of work product that each group must produce is a review brochure that contains the vocabulary, key concepts, and section assessment questions from the chapter. Here is an example of one such brochure:
Chapter 3.2 Review Brochure: Igneous Rocks
Lucidpress can easily produce high quality, graphic-rich products. Previously, I have had contests with students to create the most effective lab safety brochure using Lucidpress. Winners received their choice of a spicy chicken sandwich (a highly desired delicacy in our school cafe) or bonus points. Future plans for Lucidpress include travel posters advertising their Cell City (a project that analogizes the organelles of a cell to the parts of a city.)
As a football coach, I am always looking for easy, effective ways to produce high quality brochures for our camps and other events and promotional materials. Lucidpress offers just that. With Google Apps integration, Lucidpress and Lucidchart are quickly becoming staples of my educational technology tool box.
What are some ways you would envision using Lucidchart and Lucidpress?
As always, thanks for reading!
-Adam
Much like Lucidchart, the uses for Lucidpress in the classroom are limited only by your own creativity. Personally, I tend toward to most obvious choice first to allow myself and my students the opportunity to learn the "ins & outs" of the web-based application. One obvious application is through the use of student created brochures. In my Earth Science class, we are currently conducting student-led lessons. As the name implies, the students must create and administer these lessons. While the lessons take many different forms, each group must generate certain work products to be submitted for a grade. One of the common pieces of work product that each group must produce is a review brochure that contains the vocabulary, key concepts, and section assessment questions from the chapter. Here is an example of one such brochure:
Chapter 3.2 Review Brochure: Igneous Rocks
Lucidpress can easily produce high quality, graphic-rich products. Previously, I have had contests with students to create the most effective lab safety brochure using Lucidpress. Winners received their choice of a spicy chicken sandwich (a highly desired delicacy in our school cafe) or bonus points. Future plans for Lucidpress include travel posters advertising their Cell City (a project that analogizes the organelles of a cell to the parts of a city.)
As a football coach, I am always looking for easy, effective ways to produce high quality brochures for our camps and other events and promotional materials. Lucidpress offers just that. With Google Apps integration, Lucidpress and Lucidchart are quickly becoming staples of my educational technology tool box.
What are some ways you would envision using Lucidchart and Lucidpress?
As always, thanks for reading!
-Adam