Digital Diagrams

My impression is that digital diagrams are a useful tool for organizing, summarizing, or reviewing information, but not for presenting large quantities of new information. For that reason, I don't see myself using them as a daily tool. I think I would use them most when I ask my students to summarize cultural information which they have learned - "Create a concept map of a Roman home/a Roman family/these major gods or myths."

I also don't see myself using a prepared one while reviewing in class - I like the idea of the concept map, but I think it would be more beneficial to my students if I guided them in creating one on the board. That way they are actively engaged in reviewing and organizing the information. I could give them the central idea, then have them suggest subtopics and facts that fit with it. Unfortunately, the program doesn't seem to be set up to easily work that way, unless I had a wireless keyboard with me at the front of the classroom. Even so, it would be harder that way than just having the students draw and fill in the bubbles on a regular whiteboard.

I like the idea and the program, but I want to make sure that I teach in a way which will be most beneficial to my students and in a way which fits my personality and teaching style. If a computer program is the best way to do that, then I will use it. If it isn't, then I won't spend a great deal of time and effort trying to warp my students' instruction to use it.