Educational Technology for Students: Lucid: Brainstorming, Organizing, and More

You don't need to create a new account for logging into Lucid—your Microsoft login through your Columbia College e-mail is enough to get you started!

One way to get into Lucid is through Canvas. If your professor has kept the Lucid link in their course, you'll see it on the side of your course navigation menu, down towards the bottom. Click "Lucid (Whiteboard)," then allow the new window to open.

You'll need to give permission to access your account, but once that's complete, you'll be able to log in just by clicking the initial link. From that page, you can create new projects, edit graphics, and even share them.

If you don't have a Lucid link to click, you can still access Lucid from the app by signing up with your CC e-mail (clicking on "Microsoft").

Once you select the option to indicate you're a student, then reload the page, you should see a message stating that you've been upgraded to the EDU plan.

Once you have a Lucid account, log into get started!

You can either start with a template or with a blank document. Note that even if your project is empty to start, there is an AI tool where you can describe the kind of chart or graphic you're trying to build.

Lucid provides some great training. Check out "Getting started with Lucidchart in Canvas: A guide for Students"!

You may be thinking, "I'm still not sure why I'm supposed to use this." And that's fine!

Lucidchart has a specialized function: creating charts, diagrams, and graphics. If you need a diagram for a PowerPoint presentation, then Lucidchart is flexible and could be the right tool for the job. If you're being tasked with explaining a broad theory or concept, a diagram can explain better than words.

That said, even if you don't need a diagram, Lucidchart can still provide ways to enhance your thinking and learning.

For example...

1. You are trying to come up with ideas, maybe for paper topics or maybe for keywords when doing research. Lucid has templates for concept maps, which take a big idea and break it down into smaller pieces.
2. You're writing a story and aren't sure how all the characters relate. You can use genealogical templates or organizational charts to visually interpret the various ways that people connect.
3. You are struggling to take notes in your classes. Create a custom graphic organizer to keep your thoughts in order and learn the best way for you.
4. Research shows that early studying with retrieval practice (a.k.a., testing your recall by trying to remember what you've learned) is far better than cramming! Can you create a diagram from memory to express concepts you recall?
5. You are a visual learner, and being able to create maps and webs with discrete, visual blocks helps cement new ideas.
6. You need to create a study guide for a history class. Can you create a timeline to help you remember important dates and events.
7. You are creating a poster for Spearfest or a conference, and you need to add some more robust diagrams. Create them in Lucidchart, save, and add to your poster!

These are some broad ideas, but if you take business, math, programming, or science classes, I encourage you to check out the different types of formatting and coding that can be used to enhance your diagrams as well.