Internet Resource Evaluation #2

http://gliffy.com/

 

How could I use this: I think I would use this site to create simple diagrams to use in my classroom discussing various topics. I also think that I would encourage my students to learn how to use this site so that way they can create a flow chart or diagram on a topic of their choosing. I think this way they could share a concept with the class that they worked hard on by creating a flow chart or diagram. I think I would have the Standard package so that way my students’ work could be kept safe. This package would also keep my diagrams private and safe as well so that way I could use them the following year without having to worry about losing my work.  

Ease of Use: This site seems pretty easy to use. This site is used to create flow charts and diagrams. The user can select from a pre-made template or create one from scratch. The user can simply place the shapes where ever they want and can simply add text and connections by adding a line connector. Changing the size, color, and fonts is easy by simply clicking on the properties box. Finally, the user can easily export to a variety of different formats making their project easy to share with others!

Cost: Gliffy has three different price plans.

1.     Free: no private diagrams, 2 MB of storage space, the user can create 5 diagrams, and there is no collaboration feature.

2.     Standard: Cost is $49.50/year for each user. The user gets 200 MB of storage space, 200 diagrams, unlimited collaborators as well as access to private diagrams.

3.     Pro: $99.50/year for each user. Also, there is unlimited storage space, diagrams, and collaborators.  

 

Flexibility of Design: This site seems really easy to create any flow chart or diagram that you need in your classroom or business. The user of course will have a lot more flexibility with their designs if they choose one of the paid plans compared to the free plan. Also, there are no private diagrams for the users who have the free plan. The collaboration feature can also add some additional benefits because you can revert back to what you originally had if you don’t like something someone else did.

Security: The only plans that are protected are the Standard and Pro. With these two plans the site stores the users’ documents on secure servers that are backed up so no information will be lost. The users who simply have the free plan can only have public documents so their work is not secure.

 

http://popplet.com/

 

How could I use this: I think I would use this site with my students to encourage them to make a simple presentation. I think this site would be simple enough for any student to use in the classroom. I like how this site focuses more on the information that is being presented rather than a whole bunch of different styles. I think this would be a good site to use with the students in order to get them used to making simple diagrams before setting them free on a site that has more features. I would want my students to understand the basics of making a diagram so they don’t feel so overwhelmed if they were starting out on a more complex site.

Ease of Use: This site is pretty easy and simple to use. The users simply double clicks and places the popple wherever they choose. The tools that the user can choose from to enhance their popple are borders, font size, text alignment,  pictures – both clip art and drawings, connecting to an existing popple or deleting the popple can be found all around the popple. This makes the site very simple for any user. The user can also add YouTube videos, as well as pictures from Flickr and Google maps. The only downfall is that you cannot edit the shapes or designs and can’t export to a variety of formats.

 

Cost: Popplet has three different plans:

 

1.     Free: 5 popplets and can use all of the features.

2.     Monthly: Cost is $3/Month and can create unlimited popplets while using unlimited features.

3.     Yearly: $30/year and can create unlimited popplets while using unlimited features.

 

Flexibility of Design: There is not much creativity in the way of design style. This site is simple and basic and just focuses on the information that is being presented and not much on the design of the popple.

Security: This site offers three different levels of security. The user can choose to share their popple, collaborate with other users allowing them to make additions, or collaborate with other users by allowing editing. The users chooses whether to keep their popple private or share it publicly.   

 

http://slatebox.com/

 

How could I use this: I honestly do not think I would use this site in my classroom because it was difficult to figure out how to use and only after a little bit of playing around was I able to figure out what to do. I don’t think this site is very student friendly either especially not with the younger students since they are drawn to different colors that “jump out” at them and draw them in.

Ease of Use: Unlike all of the other sites I have evaluated both this week and last week this one seems very complicated to figure out how to use. It starts by not giving the prices for the different plans that are available. I think that the prices should be listed so that any individual who is interested in signing up can see the different options. There is little explanation on what to do when you start your project. Once the user clicks start here, you can edit the text and point size. The only color that you can have is black or white. The feature button allows the user to change the background picture, place a picture, add a link, or delete the bubble. It is simple to save.

Cost: Slatebox offers two different plans that also include 3 different options for the organization plans. However, there are no prices listed for any of the plans.

1.    Free: This option is for one user only and allows private/public slates with a URL
slatebox.com/YourName.

2.    Organization Plan: Team slates with URL organization.slatebox.com, app store with access to both free and paid visualization apps, dashboard management, and unlimited slates.

a.     Basic: 10 users with all the features listed above.

b.     Pro: 60 users, with all the features above and IOS/Android support.

c.     Massive: 125 users, with all the features above, IOS/Andriod support and bonus integration features.

 

Flexibility of Design: Like I mentioned above this site is not very easy to use and does not offer many design features. Also, the user has to do much of the figuring out on how to use the site through exploration because there is not much help. If you ask me it is very boring and too complicated for most users.

Security: The user decides whether they want their slates to be private or public. All of the plans allow both private and public slates.