AI-powered tools like Napkin.ai offer a fast way to generate visuals which can make abstract concepts clearer, organize ideas, or simplify complex information.
For this activity, you will use Napkin.ai to create a visual representation based on a text prompt. This could be a process, a comparison, or a concept that would be easier to understand with a diagram.
- Choose a Piece of Text to Visualize. Select a section from a presentation, document, or notes that could benefit from a diagram or flowchart.
- Input the Text into Napkin.ai
- Go to Napkin.ai and start a new project.
- Paste the text into the input box. The tool will analyze it and suggest visuals.
- Try different variations if the first result doesn’t quite match what you need.
- Edit and Customize the Visual
- Review what the AI generates and choose the format that makes the most sense.
- Adjust the text, rearrange elements, or change the design to fit your presentation style.
- Make sure the final version clearly represents the original idea.
- Export and Use the Visual
- Save the visual as an image or PDF.
- Consider it in the context of your presentation or document. Does it help clarify the idea for your audience?
Complete this Activity
Reflect on the this tool as it relates to OER:
- Is there any information on Napkin.ai’s website about how you’re allowed to reuse or license the image?
- Can this image be included in an openly licensed textbook or OER?
- Are there steps you could take to ethically and legally use this kind of tool in an open education context?
Examples
A step-by-step process, like “The stages of project management.”
A comparison of two concepts, like “The difference between qualitative and quantitative research.”
A framework, like “The principles of Universal Design for Learning.”
Generative AI (GenAI) is rapidly transforming how we conduct research, scholarship, and teaching and learning. Permitted use of GenAI in these areas is constantly shifting and dependent on the organizations or instituions for which you are engaging. Before sharing any outputs of your GenAI use, it is important to consult policies and guidelines on accepted use. To learn more, review the resources on GenerativeAI and Open Scholarship.
Image Credit: Flowchart procedural programming by Kayau (CC BY SA)
This is a practical activity—the reflection step about Napkin.ai’s reuse terms is especially important for anyone building OER. It would help if more AI tools were upfront about whether generated visuals can be shared under a CC license. For quick edits after exporting, a general platform like DeepAI can also be handy, though the same licensing questions apply there.
For an educational diagram, visual polish should come after correctness. I would review whether relationships are accurate, hierarchy is clear, labels remain readable, the source is editable, and the result works with accessibility needs. Saving the prompt and revision history also turns the exercise into stronger evidence of reasoning.