Tools for Critical Thinking and Problem Solving - Draw Anywhere

Draw Anywhere can be found at www.drawanywhere.com. This is a simple, free online tool where anyone can create diagrams. It is an excellent resource that allows for critical thinking and looking at any process with an analytical eye. All that is needed is internet access, a flash player, and a diagram that you want to create.

Flowcharts, process diagrams, and organizational charts can all be made online without having to download a program. The diagrams can be made at any computer with internet access and modified at any time. The diagrams can be shared online, linked to a webpage or saved as an image file and emailed.

The first thing that needs to be done is create an online account: all you need to do is put in an email address and come up with a password that you can easily remember.

As you can see, you can sign up for the basic version, which is Free or can sign up for the Premium version, which will cost you some money. The biggest difference appears to be how many diagrams you can make, how much storage space you're given and how many users can use one account. Between gmail, yahoo mail, hotmail, and all the other possible email accounts you can make out there, you shouldn't have a problem making additional accounts on Draw Anywhere.

So let's get started. Click here.

Your final project would look like this:

Draw Anywhere allows for "concept mapping," which is a technique for visualizing relationships between different ideas or thoughts. A map is a graphical tool for organizing knowledge. In medicine, there are a slew of concepts that intertwine like a web of knowledge that can confuse anyone, even the most intellectual, astute learner. There is a lot of information to process and can be overwhelming for someone who is already working plenty of clinical hours, despite the new ACGME hour regulations. This tool can be used to help medical students and residents connect concepts learned. They can also build diagrams of clinical pathways that they may not completely understand. This tool could be used when discussing cases with medical learners. Instead of using a whiteboard or chalk board, a computer wired to a projector can be used to help them discuss symptoms and associations or build differential diagnoses. By using a visual tool, more connections can be made from what is read to what is seen in the clinical arena. This tool can also be used by the medical professional to develop evidence-based guidelines and protocols.

As stated above, there are many advantages to this tool. The basic version is free and there isn't anything to download onto your computer. You can also access this tool from any computer with internet access. There are more advanced features that were not covered completely in this post but the basic diagram tools would be the most beneficial for someone in medicine and/or education. For the more advanced user, exploration of the other types of diagrams or objects is just a click away. On the website there are sample diagrams that anyone can peruse for ideas. The primary disadvantage would be the limitations of the free version of the tool: only 3 diagrams can be saved at a time and the 10MB storage limit is also a hindrance. It's still a great tool and one can keep opening new accounts with any email address.