Lucidchart is approved for academic use and is integrated with Canvas (LMS).

What is Lucidchart?

Lucidchart is diagramming software made by Lucid Software Inc. It allows users to create digital, visual charts and diagrams.

Within USask, Lucidchart can only be accessed through Canvas.

What is the purpose of Lucidchart?

The primary purpose for Lucidchart is to create virtual and visual designs including flowcharts and diagrams. Some of the ways that it can be used include:

  • Create flowcharts
  • Create mind maps
  • Create diagrams
  • Create visual organizers
  • Allows for synchronous or asynchronous collaboration
Lucidchart and Lucidspark are two similar, Canvas integrated products with slightly different purposes. Some of the features that distinguish Lucidchart from Lucidspark include:
  • Lucidchart is focused on diagramming and visual communication;
    • Lucidspark is mainly for brainstorming, ideation, and collaborative thinking.
  • Lucidchart is recommended for documenting and solo projects, but can still be used for collaborative work.
    • Lucidspark is recommended for interactive collaboration.

Why use Lucidchart?

Lucidchart is a great way to add an active learning experience to your course. It allows for students to express themselves in a visual way and opens up room for both solo and collaborative projects.

Lucidchart also,

  • allows for creative communication through visual documentation,
  • supports real time collaboration and allows multiple users to work on the same documents at the same time,
  • is an excellent tool for students to build ideas at their own pace over a long period of time,
  • has a simple interface and Canvas integration making it an easy-to-use tool for creating charts, mind maps, and diagrams,
  • and encourages creativity through active learning.

Learning Technology Ecosystem (LTE) Principles

Lucidchart most directly address these LTE goals:

Designed for reflection and growth - Learning is refined and extended through prompted and supported opportunities to focus on understanding and next steps.

Designed for students who are remixing or creating - Learning is most effective when systems are designed to help learners find, create, and/or repurpose significant content for the value of themselves and others.

Best Practices

DO

DON'T

Create flowcharts with clear, structured visuals. Don't forget to lock/hide content because the charts can be manipulated by anyone with access (students could edit or delete content that doesn't belong to them).
Organize information visually and design mind maps. Don't expect it to be fully intuitive for new users. Plan time to allow for practice with the tool.
Create technical diagrams with labels and additional information. Don't overload the charts with too many assets.
Visualize your data. Don't use for high-stakes summative assessments.
Create presentations with the Paths tool that are a refreshing change from PowerPoint slides.
Track student contributions in real time.
Use Canvas integrated tools to create Lucidchart activities for more engaging discussions.
Encourage students to collaborate and get creative.

Support for Lucidchart

Technical Support

(Why isn't this working?)

Vendor Supported

Training Support

(How do I learn to use this tool?)

Vendor Supported

Teaching Support

(How do I teach with this tool?)

Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning Supported

Vendor Supported
  • Email GMCTL for support to design learning activities with this tool.

Tool Evaluation

Technologies are evaluated based on their alignment with the Learning Technologies Ecosystem Principles. Click to see explanations of each principle and a justification of the rating. You can also view a complete blank rubric to see more details or read about the assessment process.

Learning must be found easily at any time, and all learners and teachers have equitable access, regardless of culture, language, ability etc. 
More Information

Rating: Works well

  • Cost of use for USask students: 
    • Free and integrated into Canvas.
  • Platform/device:
    • Works on any up-to-date device and browser.

Learning is a process of meaning-making, constructed through learning with others, and as a part of an intentional, deliberate system within a course and across experiences.
More Information

Rating: Works well

  • Collaboration:
    • Has many built-in features that allow for collaboration in both synchronous and asynchronous learning activities.
  • Sharing:
    • Designed with sharing and collaboration in mind, but has options for privacy and solo projects.

Learning is refined and extended through prompted and supported opportunities to focus on understanding and next steps.
More Information

Rating: Moderate concerns

  • Reflection and revision:
    • Is not as fast paced as it's sibling, Lucidspark, and may be a better option for reflection.
    • When used as a synchronous collaborative tool, it has a lot room for growth and change.

Learning is most effective when systems are designed to help learners find, create, and/or repurpose significant content for the value of themselves and others.
More Information

Rating: Moderate concerns

  • Creating:
    • Lucidchart is good at creating visual content and charts that can easily be remixed by other collaborators.
  • File format:
    • Lucidchart can export in common formats including PDF and PNG.

Learners create and control spaces for learning, understanding and retaining ownership, and purposefully choosing how and when they share.
More Information

Rating: Moderate concerns

  • Archiving, saving, and exporting data:
    • Lucidchart tracks document versions and can be reverted to an older version if needed
    • Lucidchart can export in common formats including PDF and PNG.
  • Data privacy and ownership:
    • It depends on how it is being used, in a collaborative, synchronous session you will have less privacy and ownership than you would in a solo, asynchronous project.
  • Sign Up/Sign In:
    • Users will need to make an account which is easily done through Canvas.
  • Customization:
    • The tool has very few options for customization.

Learners need to work in a system that is fluid and requires a minimum number of steps in systems that are intuitive and integrated.
More Information

Rating: Works well

  • Interface:
    • Lucidchart is a straightforward and intuitive software, but additional learning is recommended to make the most out of the tool.
  • Additional Downloads:
    • Users do not need any additional downloads.
  • Functionality:
    • The tool works well on any device.

Learners exist in accessible networks, and connect to the experiences, concepts, people, and ideas that they need.
More Information

Rating: Moderate concerns

  • Scale:
    • The tool could be used with a large group, but is better for solo projects and small groups.
  • Flexibility of Media:
    • Lucidchart only allows for text based communication and requires an additional app to add video or audio communication.
  • Engagement:
    • Lucidchart has opportunities for collaborative engagement.

Learning and feedback are iterative, and assessment comes from multiple sources, including self, peers, teachers, and outside experts.
More Information

Rating: Moderate concerns

  • Feedback:
    • When used for solo projects, it could be used for summative assessment, but it is a better formative assessment tool.
  • Engagement:
    • While opportunities exist for engagement, it excels at solo or small group projects.