Canvas now offers a Lucid integration, giving instructors access to Lucidchart flowcharts/diagrams and Lucidspark whiteboards. These applications offer a collaborative workspace where instructors can create visually engaging flowcharts, mind maps, concept maps, whiteboards, and more to enhance student understanding and boost engagement in their courses.
This article explains how to set up Lucid for the first time and how to embed Lucidchart and Lucidspark elements using the rich content editor and create assignments with Lucid apps as the submission filetype.
Article Contents
How to Use Lucidchart and Lucidspark - Training and Help
Embedding Lucid apps using the Rich Content Editor
Creating Assignments with Lucid Apps as Submission Type: External Tool
Viewing Submitted Lucidchart/Lucidspark Assignments in Speedgrader
First-time Lucid Apps Setup
Note: You can sign up for your Lucid account prior to using Lucid products in Canvas. Please visit Lucidchart - Blink UCSD for more information.
1. Click Edit on a Canvas page, assignment, discussion, or quiz question to open the rich content editor (RCE).
- Learn more about the rich content (text) editor: Canvas LMS - Rich Content Editor
2. In the RCE toolbar, click the Lucid icon to initiate the setup and login process.
3. After clicking the icon, you will be prompted to review your role [1], select if users are under the 13 years of age [2], then click the Next button [3].
Note: Most Extended Studies courses serve adults 18 years or older, and this article will focus on setup for courses serving that demographic.
If you choose "Yes" because you have students younger than 13 years old, you will need to complete a form that will connect Lucid with the institution to ensure COPPA consent for young students. After completing that form, you'll be allowed to continue your activation process.
4. After entering student age details, instructors can Log in with their existing Lucid credentials [1] or Sign up for a new account [2].
If you would like to know more about your instructor Lucid resources, including training content for this application, please visit this website on UCSD Blink for more information: Lucidchart - Blink UCSD
5. After either logging in or signing up, you will see confirmation of your verification. Click connect to advance to the next stage of setup.
6. You will then be prompted to grant access to Lucid. Review the request for access and click the Grant Access button. Once access is granted, users can access Lucid apps.
How to Use Lucidchart and Lucidspark - Training and Help
The resources linked below will help you become familiar with Lucidchart and get application support.
Embedding Lucidcharts or Lucidspark or using the Rich Text Editor
Once you have gone through the initial setup process, you can insert new or existing Lucidcharts or Lucidspark whiteboards from you personal account using the Lucid icon in the RCE toolbar.
1. Click Edit on a Canvas page, assignment, discussion, or quiz question to open the rich content editor (RCE).
- Learn more about the rich content (text) editor: Canvas LMS - Rich Content Editor
2. Choose where on the page you wish to insert your Lucid app and click to set the cursor for chart import. Then click the Lucid icon in the RCE toolbar.
3. A menu will appear, allowing you to create a new chart or whiteboard [A] or your existing Lucidchart or Lucidspark files will appear [B].
A. Click New, then choose the Lucid format and whether you want a new blank document or template file.
B. Click on the chart or whiteboard you wish to insert on the page then click Continue.
5. After clicking continue, you will be able to modify the chart or whiteboard's settings [1]. There are three different levels of access.
- Edit: Anyone who can access the embedded chart can edit it.
- Comment Only: Anyone who can access the embedded chart can add comments.
- View Only: Anyone who can access the embedded chart may only view the chart.
Choose the setting appropriate to your instructional need. Then click Insert [2].
⚠️ Note: In the upper-right corner of the settings page, you have the option to open and edit the chart or whiteboard in the corresponding webapp.
6. After inserting and once you are done editing the page, click Save. After saving, you will see your embedded Lucid webapp on the page.
Depending on the access settings, users will now be able to interact with the item. There is no need to save since all manipulations save automatically once the item is embedded and the page is saved.
Creating Assignments with Lucid as Submission Type: External Tool
Open your assignment in Canvas and click Edit to access the assignment settings.
1. Scroll down in the settings to Submission Type. Click the dropdown and choose External Tool.
2. In the "Enter or find an External Tool URL" field, click Find.
3. Then click the Lucid link, which will open a new menu. (Note: You won't press select until you finish configuring the Lucid document.)
4. Click Lucidspark [A] or Lucidchart [B] and then click Next.
5. Choose whether you want students to submit a new Lucid board [A] or a previously created one [B]. Then click Next.
6. Then click Select to finish the Lucid setup.
7. Configure the due date and any other aspects of your assignment, and then scroll down and click Save at the bottom of the assignment settings.
Viewing Submitted Lucidchart/Lucidspark Assignments in Speedgrader
You can view your students' Lucid submissions using Speedgrader just like you view any other submissions.
1. Open the assignment from your module and then click SpeedGrader on the right side of the page.
2. Evaluate and grade the assignments as you normally would.
- For more information on how to use Speedgrader, read How do I use Speedgrader?
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