Web Tool- 3_Creately

Creately  as an educational tool:

1. Name of the Tool: Createley
2. URL of the Tool: http://creately.com/
3. Please select the one, primary category for this tool:  Collaboration and Flowchart designing Tool
4. Please describe this tool in your own words in about 250 words.

Creately is a web based tool that allows to design flowchart projects. Users do not need to download anything, but rather simply register and create an account within the website. The flowchart is relatively easy to build. You can share your flowchart with others by inviting them via Creately. An email will be sent to the persons you invited and they can login to Creately and check the  flowchart. They can edit it and make changes. In that way, the flowchart can be designed by a team. Creately is mainly targeting business projects but the flowchart can also be used by anyone including educators. The free public plan allows one user, one project, three collaborators, restricted access to diagrams and community support. You can upgrade your Creately plan which would allow more features as shown in the screenshot in next question.

5. Try using the Tool (you may need to sign up for a free or trial account) so that you will learn how it works and what its capabilities are - and so that you will be able to answer the following questions.

This a screen shot of the different upgrading options for Creately:

6. What do you need to know before using this tool? (What skills do you need to have?)

Basic computer and internet skills. No special skills needed.

7. What do you need to have before using this tool? (Resources)

Computer with internet access is the only thing needed. 

        8. How do you use this tool? (Write the basic steps using a numbered list)


Please see screenr screencast below.

1- Login to Creately website
2- Start a new flowchart Project
3- Share flowchart with others
4- Work on flowchart as a team

The following link has a short video:     http://youtu.be/Cu_UCh2s6UM

      9. If applicable, please create an example with this tool and either embed in your blog or submit the URL.


http://screenr.com/Aa48

10.  Please describe a scenario of how you might use this tool in a teaching environment.

   One possible scenario is to ask different groups of learners to design flowcharts about different topics. Each group can work together remotely to design the flowchart. When they are done they could share their flowchart with other groups or switch projects.

   The teacher can log in and leave comments to the students to guide them while they are working on their flowchart projects. At the end of the instruction the teacher and the  fellows can look at the flowcharts, notes and comments. The collaborative learning and discussion with other students should reinforce retention. The flowchart design should enhance the students' educational experience.

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

-          - Cost efficiency

-          - Lack of equipment needed

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

      - There a simpler flowchart tools

      - More suitable for business projects