Flow charting is something I try to use in my MS Robotics course so that students can develop techniques to organize their thoughts into useful plans for programming. Visualizing a flowchart, even a simple one, helps students connect abstract ideas together and create methodical logic for a robot's behavior.
Google Docs.
Used Googe Docs Draw module to create a simple flowchart for an embedded set of loops for a Robot Sumo program. Notes: Hard to keep lines straight, but easy to draw, get shapes out, and label things.
Cacoo.
I tried Cacoo for the first time to create a chart for a possible workflow for "The Chasm" challenge. Notes: Had to sign up for an account to use the tool. Made lines with rounded corners really easily. Control key short cuts failed to work sometimes.
Gliffy.
Lastly, I used Gliffy to model a robot sumo board. I was able to fake a 3D model with 2D shapes and drop shadows and built in lighting effects. Notes: Didn't have to sign up for an account to use the tool (just to save files). Had a lot of templates to start from. Had a lot of different shapes and stencils to use. It was easy to make good looking shapes with drop shadow, lighting effects, etc. The web-based interface responded very quickly to mouse movements, no latency.
I also use a freeware program called Lego Digital Designer with some students who are particularly adept at building so they can create 3D models of their creations. This is essentially a simple CAD (computer aided design) program that has a specialized set of pieces loaded for the LEGO systems.
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