Introducing Lucidchart & Lucidspark: Enhance Collaboration and Creativity in Canvas

Academic Technology & Innovation is excited to announce the availability of two new powerful tools within Canvas: Lucidchart and Lucidspark. Thanks to a partnership between Instructure and Lucid, all Canvas users now have free access to these tools, which fill two significant needs in our current Canvas environment: a fully integrated whiteboard and brainstorming tool (Lucidspark) and a fully integrated collaborative diagramming tool (Lucidchart).

Lucidchart: Collaborative Diagramming Made Easy

Lucidchart is a versatile diagramming tool that allows users to create flowcharts, mind maps, org charts, and more. With Lucidchart, you can:

• Visualize Ideas: Easily create diagrams to visualize complex ideas and processes.
• Collaborate in Real-Time: Work with your class on the same document simultaneously, adding comments and making edits in real time.
• Integrate Seamlessly with Canvas: Embed Lucidchart diagrams directly within Canvas pages, assignments, quizzes, and discussions using the Rich Content Editor.

For more detailed information and tutorials, visit the Lucidchart Help Center.

 

 

Lucidspark: Your Virtual Whiteboard for Brainstorming

Lucidspark is an intuitive virtual whiteboard that facilitates brainstorming and creative collaboration. With Lucidspark, you can:

• Brainstorm Freely: Capture and organize ideas with sticky notes, freehand drawing, and more.
• Engage Teams: Use features like voting and timers to facilitate group activities and decision-making.
• Integrate with Canvas: Like Lucidchart, Lucidspark can be accessed directly from the Canvas Rich Content Editor, making it easy to bring your brainstorms into your course content.

For more information and detailed guides, check out the Lucidspark Help Center.

 

 

Getting Started with Lucidchart and Lucidspark in Canvas

New Partnership Alert: This is a fresh collaboration and a new Canvas integration. The initial setup may be complex, but improvements are planned for the near future.

Important Recommendation: Please review the provided support documentation thoroughly to understand these new, feature-rich tools.  

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To start using Lucidchart and Lucidspark in Canvas, follow these steps:

First, enable the Lucid integration in your course:

1. Go into a course
2. Go to Settings > Apps
3. Click “View App Configurations”
4. Click “+ App”
5. In “Configuration Type” choose “By Client ID”
6. In the Client ID field, enter: 170000000001855
   1. (That’s “17, nine zeros, 1855”)
7. Verify that you’re prompted to install the new "Lucid Integration" tool
8. Click “Install”
9. Refresh your Canvas screen
10. You'll find that "Lucid" now appears in your course navigation.

If desired, you can remove "Lucid" from your Navigation menu while allowing its use in the Rich Content Editor. 

Then, follow these instructions to work with the new Lucid tools in your course:

1. Navigate to the Rich Content Editor: You can find the Rich Content Editor in various places within Canvas, such as when creating pages, assignments, quizzes, and discussions.

2. Select the Lucid Icon: Look for the Lucid icon in the Rich Content Editor toolbar. Click on it to access the Lucidchart and Lucidspark options.

   1. Tip: If you don't see the Lucid icon, make sure you've expanded the Rich Text Editor options by clicking the three-dot icon on the far right side of the toolbar.

3. Follow the On-Screen Prompts: Once you've selected the desired tool, follow the on-screen prompts to create a new document, new document from a template or select an existing one.

• Because these companies work with not only universities but K-12 schools, you might see a prompt regarding your students' ages. Be sure to answer correctly so your toolset isn't restricted.

These tools are designed to enhance your teaching and learning experience, providing you with robust and flexible options for visual communication and collaboration.