Teaching With Technology Certificate Hub

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Defintion

Below are some options for creating simple charts and diagrams much like the one below. These diagrams are especially helpful for students who may not understand text alone. Students may also wish to use these tools for organizing their own presentations

Example Concept Map

Software Options

The following tools are installed in the CLC Student Computing Labs. Note that these tools include different shape templates depending on your project needs.

• Microsoft Visio (Windows, in Student Computing Labs)
• OmniGraffle (Mac, in Student Computing Labs)
• Inspiration (Window, Mac, in Student Computing Labs)
• Inkscape (Freeware, Windows, Mac/X11, Student Computing Labs)
• Dia (Freeware Windows)

Note that Visio and OmniGraffle are oriented for business and technology users, while Inspiration is oriented for K-12 educators. However, the tool sets are actually very similar.

External Visio Tutorials (Windows)

• University of Texas

OmniGraffle (Macintosh)

• Omni Group
• University of Texas

Inspiration Tutorials (Windows/Macintosh)

• Inspiration Quick Start Tutorial (PDF)
• Montana School District
• Purdue University

Dia (Windows)

Free download and documentation are at http://live.gnome.org/Dia

DrawIt Lite (Mac)

Free download at http://www.bohemiancoding.com/. Also available in a pro version.

Inkscape (Windows, Mac/X11)

Free download and documentation are at http://www.inkscape.org/download/. Note that Mac users must install an updated version of X11, a program that allows the Mac to run Unix programs.