Cartoons and Comics

Cartoons and Comics

Cartoons, comics and graphic novels have become extremely popular over the past few years. As a reading teacher, I have struggled with whether or not this was appropriate reading. However as a teacher and parent, I have seen the impact of graphic novels on readers and nonreaders and I am now a huge believer in this category of books. Now this assignment has changed my thinking on how we can use comic strips and cartoons within the classroom. Students can provide their knowledge of a book or lesson using this medium. They can also creatively write using a comic strip program. I am extremely impressed with the programs and look forward to implementing them and sharing with my teachers. This assignment challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone.  I was able to learn and dabble with new programs to create cartoons. All three programs offered a variety of options and some were easier to use than others, but having several platforms to use allows users to experiment.

Pixton 
Pixton is a program that allows users to create a cartoon or comic. When you first sign up for the program, it ask if you are an educator, a student, at work or just want to have fun. The program also asks how you are going to use the program. The options provided are By Myself, As a Creative Writing Tool and as an Assessment Tool. I love the idea of using comic strips as an assessment of what my students have learned. Also students that struggle to write might enjoy completing a writing assignment using Pixton. After you have selected and signed up, then you begin creating your comic. I found this program to be my favorite. I loved the scenes, characters and other embellishments that were available to help create the cartoon. I found this program extremely easy to use and manipulate. The hardest part of using this program was coming up with a content idea for the comic strip. This was the easiest program to save and copy the link to share on my blog. I will definitely be sharing this program with my teachers.  I think students would be able to use this program and do more than I did with it.
  
ToonDoo
ToonDoo makes it very easy for users to create a comic strip of very sizes.  The first option is to choose the size of the comic strip.  After, choosing the size of the comic strip, then you can get right to work on creating your product.  The program provides choices of backgrounds, characters, thought bubbles, and other types of props that can be added to the comic strip.  Once, you start playing the program, you realize that pictures can be flipped, shrunk or enlarged.  ToonDoo has a variety of other options available that are more advanced that allow you to create a storybook with all a collection of comic strips.  The program also allows users to upload their own photos and manipulate them, along with making doodles within the comic strip.  This program has two options when saving, you can make it private or public, then you choose the option 'go to the page.'  Once you are rerouted to ToonDoo page, then you have options of emailing, copying or emailing the link.  This may cause a few questions for students, but I think they could figure it out.  This program was probably my second favorite program.  I really enjoyed using it to create this comic strip below.  

MakeBeliefComix

MakeBeliefComix was another program that I worked with to help create a comic strip and it was my least favorite.  This program does now require an account, so you can begin using it immediately.  It took a few minutes to figure out how to get the pictures and backgrounds to the comic strip frames, but the ways to add and remove parts of the cartoon were difficult.  I felt like I was constantly having to start from scratch.  I loved the graphics and the choices of backgrounds and once I figured out the program, I began to have fun.  However, I still have not figured out the correct way to download and save the comic strip.  The download system never quite worked on my computer and I found it difficult.  It could definitely be operator error, but I need to be able to transfer products easily.  Students need to be able to quickly download on their own and I found the other two programs much easier.