For my third form of emerging technology, I looked at Gliffy, an online application to create and share collaborative diagrams. Gliffy looks and acts like a desktop application, but is actually a web-based service that stores and saves your images so you don't have to install or maintain the software. They take the idea that people understand faster with pictures to heart and their services give users the chance to organize information into concept maps, floorplans, and flow charts by simply dragging and dropping shapes from their extensive library. The interface allows customers the ability to manipulate the color, size, design, text and format to their specific liking. The public diagrams can then be shared and edited by others or published to a space like a blog.To register with Gliffy and obtain one of their free basic accounts, I visited their website at http://www.gliffy.com/ to sign up for their one-month trial. Then, all I needed to do was enter a valid email address and password. Once both were confirmed and I agreed to their terms of service, I was ready to proceed. Users are then taken to a blank grid, and I proceeded to tinker with their basic shapes and images. Since I am moving at the end of the month, I decided to use their images to develop a floor plan of my new space. It will be helpful to print this out and share it with my friends who have volunteered to act as my movers, so they can see where I'd like all of substantial, heavy pieces of furniture. This image can be viewed above or as a larger image via this link:http://www.gliffy.com/publish/1528951/.
A very user-friendly site, Gliffy provides ample support with participant forums, a frequently asked questions page, and a link to a YouTube demonstration video. I would strongly encourage users to search these featured options when lost or confused. Future teachers can use their tips and tutorials to guide organizational charts (a parent telephone tree for field trips or emergencies), flowcharts (a behavioral consequences diagram for difficult students), or even technical drawings (to explain scientific concepts like the water cycle). Try it and decide for yourself.
