Cartoons and Comics

The Power of Dynamic Cartoons and Comics

Nothing entertains more than graphics. It's an excellent way to engage students. Creating graphics entails all levels of Bloom's Taxonomy.  And when teachers are thinking about how to incorporate Rigor & Relevance in the classroom, creating graphics opens up a world of possibilities.  Using technology to harness what students know by giving them a creative outlet could not benefit them more. I explored three different mediums: ToonDoo, Pixton, and Make Beliefs Comix.

ToonDoo is a simple website that students can register for and create comics comprised of one panel or more.  It's very easy to set up an account, and the commands are also fairly user friends.  As with all technology, all it takes is practice.  

One thing I also like about ToonDoo is that it provides a 15-day free trial for the service.  It gives teachers and students the opportunity to explore the site. It's also available on the App Store.

• ToonDoo provides multi-panel options for comics.
• Students can also create a book filled with strips.  This is great for a partner, group, or semester project. There are different backgrounds that can be used across the curriculum as well.
• ToonDoo also has the portal to upload a photo and manipulate it to make it a cartoon, so students can make this fun and a personalized experience for them.
• Also, the traitR option on the site makes students pay attention to detail.  They have the option to upload a reference picture and then manipulate it.  One lesson where students can exhibit their understanding is in science.  For example, they can turn in a project where they've studied genetics and the Punnett square.  Based on their understanding of genetics, they will be able to create a child with dominant and recessive traits. 
• DoodleR is a free drawing option as well.  If students have iPad, they can use the doodleR to freely express themselves. 
• Compleetoon takes synthesis to another level.  It invites creators to incorporate images on the web, their own uploads, or images created on ToonDoo and create new cartoons using those. 
• Students can also create widgets of their strips and add them to a website. Teachers can also create a website for their class and upload the widgets of their students' work.

ToonDoo is definitely teacher friends. Once teachers provide an initial teach and opportunities for students to implement the skills learned, students will adapt quickly and will be able to create one or three-panel strips that can showcase their learning.

Paxton offers more instructional tools than ToonDoo.  It's allows for teachers to access lesson plans! Teacher profiles include an area where grade level, subject, end date (of instructional use), moderation, and permissions are controlled.  Teachers create assignments on Pixton.  Assignments include a title, description, instruction, and a rubric.

Once this original set up is established, teachers send a link to students in the classroom.  They can create a QR code (see previous QR code blog) and enable students to scan from their phones as well. Once students click on the link, it is easy for them to set up their accounts. Students proceed to create their comic strips.  Pixton has a basic interface and a more advanced one for users who are more savvy or have more experience with the website.  Once the student signs up, the teacher will see the name appear on the student list, like so:

I created this short comic strip as if I were a student (Phillip).  When I was done creating my book teaser, I submitted my strip to the teacher.  Then the teacher gets a notification that a student is waiting feedback and that his or her comic strip is pending approval for publication. The teacher grades the comic strips using the rubric, which can be created and manipulated at set up, and can even give the each student private feedback on their assignments.

This comic strip is a short story teaser on "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell

Pixton will definitely require more preparation from the teacher's part, especially when it comes to the set up process. This is will also require teaching the students and modeling how to access the code, complete the assignment, submit, communicate privately, and review the grade.  Aesthetically, it's my favorite, but I do see how it can be a bit cumbersome for a student to undertake on his or her own.

If it's speed you're looking for, look no further. I found MakeBeliefsComix to be the fastest way to create a comic strip. There is no account required; furthermore, teachers can use these short comic strips to practice vocabulary, have ESL students practice conversation and academic English, for fun, focus on historical figures, reenact important scientific discoveries, or remind students how they can contact their teacher.  

MakesBeliefComixs is the easiest comic strip maker to work on.  The ability to create comics without an account is just that much easier to deal with.  All these are excellent tools for engagement, assessment, collaborative learning, rigor, and relevance. 

Classroom Uses:

I see students using ToonDoo and MakesBeliefComix for fun, to practice vocabulary, or to create teasers or book review chats. I also see them using one-panel cartoons to protray theme, which is a much more challenging skill to execute. 

Students will need initial direction, but as digital natives, will easily adapt and begin to product awesome work. 

I also see talking about these in other subjects, like science, history, and foreign language.  ToonDoo has animals as characters, so these can be used to describe certain aspects of nature.  

As far as Pixton, I'd like to pilot the use of the website with a library book club first, learn to program well, and then conduct a professional development session on how to use it and provide ideas for class incorporation.

Tellagami App (iPad)

The free version of this app allows for a simple 3D graphic of a man or woman to speak with your recorded voice.  It allows you to change the hair, top, bottoms, shoes, eye color, hair color, size, and position.  For additional fees, the hair style changes, other backgrounds can be added, and there is a text-to-talk feature in one doesn't want his or her voice recorded. The free version allows for a 30-second recording. The paid version grants 90 minutes.

I can see myself using this to provide book reviews like these, talk about graphics, summarize an event, or simply introduce myself at the beginning of the year or of each class. It's easy and neat! The drawback is that it's only available on iOS devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.