MODULE 3: Web 2.0 Tools for Critical Thinking and Problem Solving - Lovely Charts

1. Name of the Tool: Lovely Charts

2. URL of the Tool: http://www.lovelycharts.com/

3. Primary category for this tool: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Tool

4. Description of Tool: Lovely Charts is diagramming software that claims to be super easy, sexy, and efficient. And after reviewing this tool, I have to admit it's true. This is a cool diagramming software that can be used to create everything from flowcharts to people diagrams. A great tool for mind mapping.

5. Prereqisite Skills:
Basic computer and internet skills are necessary.

6. Prerequisite Resources:
Again basic - internet access.

7/8. Use of Tool/Example:

Click on my vodcast below to learn how to use this tool and to see the example I created.

There are 7 screens total; click on the grey arrow on the right to advance after each screen has finished. You can also zoom in and out of the screen by putting your mouse over the screen, and then clicking on the magnifying glass tool over the screen.
If you are unable to view the embedded vodcast, paste the link below into your web-browser.

http://voicethread.com/share/1252662/

9. Teaching Scenarios:

What a LOVELY tool! Sorry, couldn't resist...
I'm a very visual learner therefor this tool really works for me. I like the breakdown diagrams like this provide. A few ideas for teaching include the following...

1) Brainstorming
Flowcharts are great for brainstorming and can be used for everything from meetings to clinical case discussions.

2) Clinical guidelines
Clinical guidelines describing admission flow, discharge criteria, and treatment guidelines are more clear and organized when presented in a flowchart/diagram. Currently the Texas Children's sections of Emergency Medicine and Hospital Medicine use this invaluable technique with flowcharts for easy to follow guidelines for common pediatric diagnoses.

3) Team building
As in my example, the people diagrams can be especially useful in explaining roles to new faculty, learners, and staff.

4) Clinical history
People diagrams can also be used to show genetic pedigrees and family histories.

5) Presentation helper
Finally, this tool can create a picture, poster, or slide in a presentation. It grabs the learners' attention, provides clarity, and initiates discussion.

10. Advantages

• the basic version is FREE
• not viewable to public
  
• lots of fun options to modify - flowcharts, people diagrams, etc
  
• intuitive to use
  

11. What are the disadvantages of using this tool in a teaching environment?

• you must sign-up
  
• certain cool and often necessary features (such as importing your own images, saving a diagram, and collaboration) are only available with the premium subscription
  For example, I could not save/edit more than one diagram in the program without the premium fee-based subscription! How unfair!
  
• questionable future
  As with every awesome tool I've reviewed to date, this tool is in Beta which implies a questionable future.