SMARTDRAW IN EDUCATION:

Graduate Student Taps SmartDraw for A-Plus Presentations

MaryAnne Boorse is a graduate student at Elmira College, which is ranked #6 in "America's Best Colleges" list by U.S. News and World Report. While studying for her masters degree in management, MaryAnne decided she needed an easy software program to create graphics for her class presentations.

Specifically, she was looking for a way to create a SWOT diagram. She found SmartDraw on the Internet and downloaded the program's free trial. Right away, she could see that SmartDraw would help her create presentation graphics effortlessly.

"When it comes to creating a SWOT diagram, SmartDraw really laid the groundwork for my graphic," said MaryAnne. "All that was left was to identify and apply my data to the graphics of the program. The presentation was professionally created with no headaches."

MaryAnne quickly learned that SmartDraw automates the process of creating virtually any sort of business graphic, from flowcharts to project schedules, to marketing diagrams, and more. Unlike other programs that provide users with a blank screen and expect them to draw, with SmartDraw, users select from a template that is specifically designed to create the type of illustration they need. For example, SmartDraw contains hundreds of templates for org charts, marketing charts, mind maps, decision trees, and more.

"SmartDraw was way above what I could have imagined," said MaryAnne. "One of the biggest benefits is the assortment of options I can select from to get my point across."

SmartDraw allows users to select an appropriate template, and then enter in the relevant information. The software does the rest: building the graphic automatically using built-in rules and professional design themes to guarantee polished, presentation-quality results in just a few minutes.

Since purchasing the program, MaryAnne has used SmartDraw to create reports and presentations for several Master level classes.

"I am in my fourth class in the Master program and have made both presentations and PowerPoint^® slides with this program," said MaryAnne. "I also have included support materials from SmartDraw in my final research reports. I have received nothing less than an A on any paper displaying my SmartDraw diagrams."

In addition to helping her earn high marks, SmartDraw is helping MaryAnne with another challenge—time management.

"SmartDraw has definitely saved me time," said MaryAnne. "For example, during one of the management classes, I had to design a timeline project. Anyone who has worked with creating timelines knows how cumbersome they can be. With SmartDraw, the timeline was quick and efficient."

How does she rank SmartDraw?

"SmartDraw will save the student a lot of grief and time," said MaryAnne. "Powerpoint presentations are a breeze. Hand outs are simplified and pleasing to look at. The price of the program is well worth the cost—in fact, it is definitely worth much more."