The following information is based on my experience creating comics on three different websites; Toon Doo, Pixton, and Make Beliefs Comix. It was a lot of fun and hope you try it out yourself. Enjoy!
TOON DOO
Toon Doo
took a few minutes to load which was an inconvenience and will be somewhat if I
use this in the classroom. Nevertheless, the website is a great tool. I used it to create a third person limited narration. The
process of saving and editing was easy. Users can even share their comic using
Facebook. It has a great variety of characters, backgrounds and props to use.
The props available allowed the user to create a more detailed background. The
props were sufficient to make it interesting for kids. There was an option
available to upload images from websites, computer and even clipart was
available. The images added to your gallery could be “goofified” which means
edited to make them look funny. I thought this feature could help personalize
the comics the students create. I think this website is one I could use in the
classroom and which they will enjoy. It is not too difficult for students to
navigate and quickly learn how to use the features. I plan to use this website
more often than Make Belief Comics
and Pixton.
Pixton is easy to create. I used it to create a comic explaining the process of the water cycle. The website is very user friendly and great for
students. It has fun creative character options as you can see my character has pink hair and purple skin. It was easy to save and edit.
The props and backgrounds had a good variety of images to use. Students would
definitely be able to use this website and work with the features with minimal
help.
To view this comic in fullscreen please go to the following web address:
http://Pixton.com/ic:uoa18q5y
To view this comic in fullscreen please go to the following web address:
http://Pixton.com/ic:uoa18q5y
Make Beliefs Comix:
Make Beliefs Comix was not as interesting as Pixton or Toon Doo. I used it to create a vocabulary and definition comic. I was a
bit impatient with the features and I felt a little frustrated with having to click on each tool before using it. In my opinion it slowed the process
down. I felt there was limited variety of graphics to use such as the
characters, backgrounds and text bubbles. I didn’t like that the website didn’t
save any of the comics to come back and edit. I think this is important in
order to use it for a class activity. Saving the work and coming back to it can
allow students to fix mistakes rather than have to create a new comic. I will
probably not use this website very often, but I think getting students exposed
to as many websites as possible is important so I will introduce them to it.
To view this comic in fullscreen please go to the following web address:
Future Plans for
Using Comic Strips
I plan to use incorporate comic strips to make student work
more engaging. Students love work that deals with drawing and using this
website give them the opportunity to create their own cartoons or comics. Comic
strips could be used to have students explain what they’ve learned, create an
interesting story plot, analyze character perspectives and so much more. I have
already used paper and pencil comic strips in my classroom for the following
activities. The next step is to make these assignments digital.
Comic Activities:
- create comics for all the different narrator perspectives, such as first person, second person and the three types of third person: omniscient, limited and objective.
- create a comic for explaining the water cycle
- create a comic showing the five elements of a fiction story plot; exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.
- create a comic explaining how math can be used in the real world.
Basically, teachers can get creative with how they implement
comic strips. Remember students need class activities to be as fun as possible
in order for them to find meaning in what they learn. I am so glad I was able
to play with these websites and learn how to use them in my classroom. I loved
all the websites and will probably use all of them through out the school year.
Technology is so great!
For more information on how to integrate comics into classroom activities visit the following website: http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/How-to-Play/Educators/
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