Cartoons and Comics

Creating comic strips or cartoons in the classroom is a fun way to learn a new or challenging lesson.  The students are able to maintain their focus since they creating something that they enjoy.  They are also able to sustain their attention span for longer periods of time.  Comic strips can be used for all subjects, and it's a great way to assess if the student was able to comprehend the topic being discussed.   MakeBeliefsComic, ToonDoo, and Pixton for Schools are three comic strip creators.  They are all easy enough to use by older elementary and secondary students, but each one has different things to offer.

MakeBeliefsComix

MakeBeliefsComix is an online comic strip maker.  You do not have to sign up in order to create a short cartoon.  When you are dealing with many students, this is a great plus since the teacher will not spend time telling kids which username or password they have to use.  MakeBeliefsComix is very limited to what you can do in your comic strip.  They have a limited amount of characters pre-loaded into their system.  You can change the emotions on characters by scrolling at the same character in different poses and facial expressions and that is about it.  Creating the actual comic strip was easy since it is so limited, there is only so much you can do.  What I do like about MakeBeliefsComix is that this simple comic strip can be used with ELL students when working on vocabulary words.  It can be something quick, and their work can be saved as a PDF file or can be printed to a printer.  Another plus to MakeBeliefsComix is that it offers different tabs with information that can help teachers incorporate the comic strip into their lesson plans, and the web page has many links with ideas of what to write about in a comic strip.  Another drawback is that the cartoons are just lined drawn and do not offer any color.

ToonDoo

By macarmona | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

 ToonDoo offered a bid more than MakeBeliefsComix.  You are able to create comic strips, page turning comic strips, and you can make a single block cartoon.  This comic makers does have pre-loaded characters, but it also offers you the ability to customize your own TraitR, like the one you see on the above comic strip.  You are given a blank face and you can customize the face, hair, and what the body is wearing.  It still has some limits but you are able to create the look you want to a certain degree.  The characters are also in different body poses so they do not just have to be standing straight.  I believe this adds to the expression of the character. The problem that I had is that it allows you to go to the process of uploading your own pictures to use, for example, as a background.  It says you have saved it, and it is in your gallery, but when you go there, it has not been saved.  I believe you have to upgrade ($) you account in order to use this feature.  I found this part fustrating.  It did let me save the TraitR that I created.  I also liked that the comic strip maker includes color.  You are limited to your choices, but this does allow for the comic strip to stand out as when compared to MakeBeliefsComix.  You are not able to create your strip as long as you want to you are only limited to a certain number of blocks or layouts. When I created the above comic strip, what I had in mind was creating a quick intro to the book, Among the Hidden by Margaret Patterson Haddix.  I feel the students could create the same thing for the books reports they are reading or to re-create an important scene in their books.  I think they would enjoy creating it.  A negative to the program is that it took me a while to figure out how to save the cartoon, and once I did, I had some trouble retrieving it.  It becomes easier once you keep practicing, though.
  
 Pixton for Schools

Pixton for Schools has so many possibilities.  I was able to sign up in the Education site for a free 30-day trial.  I decided to go this route to see what I could do with this program and how I could include my students.  This program allows me to sign up as a teacher and sign up 50 students with my account using an activation code.  I can also create an assignment for the the students, and they would go in and create the comic strip as instructed.  Also, you are able to show-off the students work in a student gallery when they are completed with their comic strip.  When you first start a comic strip, you are given options as to how long or short you want your layout, but it also allows you to go at it freestyle.  You are able to upload your background, as I did in the above cartoon.  I was completely amazed at what you can do with the characters.  You can pick a style they already have or and you can change it completely to fit the profile you are looking for.  What is more amazing is that you can position almost each body part in which ever way you want.  You are able to change the expression on the faces by changing each eyebrow, eye expression, mouth, etc.  They do provide pre-set body positions, but you are still able to move it around to be just in the just-perfect position.  You are able to zoom in on the characters to create different effects, and change the expressions to emphasize them.  This program allows you to change change the color of the characters skin, clothe, the background, etc.  I think this is a great program for students to summarize a scene from the book they are reading or to create their own stories.

ToonDoo Avatar

When creating comic strips in the classroom, there are several comic strip creators or apps you can use, but of the three mentioned above, I would probably have my students use Pixton for Schools more.  I think this comic strip maker will allow my students to be as creative as their imaginations will carry them.  I think they will have fun creating their cartoons and sharing them with the class.  Depending on the lesson or ability of the student, the cartoon strips can also be quick and simple when using the pre-loaded characters and scenery.

Tellagami

Tellagami is a great IPad app that I think the kids will enjoy.  I was able to upload a background and create an advatar for myself.  You have a choice to record your voice or use one that is already pre-loaded.  I think the students can add it to their Lino canvases and even their Animoto creations.