Librarian In Training: Cartoons & Comics

Cartoons and Comics

Comic books are a multimodal method of communication that can help pupils comprehend subtle writing approaches since they integrate graphics and text. In a way that no normal writing outline can, organizing a tale on the page forces students to make hard judgments about how to manage their ideas, concepts, and general plot. This genre also aids kids in learning how to make and create inferences between text and visual, a vital ability in critical thinking.

FotoJet

2021 Halloween Picture Costume Contest Winners Comic Strip

https://www.fotojet.com/features/misc/photo-comic.html

Evaluation:

Overall, FotoJet is essentially a desktop publishing tool that streamlines the design and editing process while still producing professional results. While there are several browser-based image editors accessible for casual usage, FotoJet specializes in producing high-quality images that may be used commercially. Although FotoJet is simple to use for beginners, many of its users are graphic designers with high-volume workloads who require quick answers. FotoJet has hundreds of attractive layouts, as well as one-click versions, that are ideal for working quickly. These templates are undoubtedly FotoJet's most significant feature, as they appear highly unique and provide possibilities for clean, ornate, fashionable, and beautiful designs.

Aside from the diversity of ready-to-print templates and online designs, FotoJet also offers the following features:

Collage maker.
Photo frames.
Overlays.
Photo filters.
Image effects.
Vignette maker.
Design tutorials.

Subscription starting at: USD 3.33 / Month

Pixton

Inspired by the Charles Schulz comic strip ‘Peanuts’ piece!

https://edu.pixton.com/educators

Evaluation:

Pixton is a straightforward setup for teachers, an easy-to-use interface, a variety of graphic customization possibilities, and the ability to effortlessly share comics. While the aesthetic style is clean, it can be constricting (characters start to look the same after a while). That style, on the other hand, contributes to Pixton's usability by allowing multiple parts to blend together. From facial expressions to subtle bodily motions, there are a plethora of ways to change things. Visual options such as hearing aids and wheelchairs are refreshingly inclusive. Students can use Pixton to improve their literacy skills in a variety of courses and grades. Making comics can be empowering, but some kids may become overwhelmed while looking through the selections. The organizational strategy for the content pack gives some structure. However, without a means for teachers to control what kids see, it's still quite easy for children to get lost. Teachers will want to provide scaffolding for kids to alleviate these difficulties because there isn't much of it.

MakeBeliefsComix

http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/

MakeBeliefsComix.com makes learning fun. Watch this tutorial video over how to use MakeBeliefsComix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tisUMlm-kJw

Evaluation:

Pros: Emphasizes writing and creativity for students; hundreds of printables for teachers.

Cons: Poor navigation; artistic students also can't use original work.

Bottom Line: While it feels a little dated and disorganized, Make Beliefs Comix retains its charm and can promote creativity and self-expression.

This video can be used to share with students before using the program for a class assignment. Emergent bilingual students would benefit from this comic book creating program with many learning opportunities for building their language background with story-telling, conversation practicing, and vocabulary activities, just to name a few. The dialogue feature allows ESL students to practice their English language speaking skills by recording their voice into the comic strip- bringing their art to life.

Please see this pdf of 26 ways to use MakeBeliefsComix. https://drive.google.com/file/d/19TcMYLas3HswOLLH5SXpkNUWN-xiFXZr/view?usp=sharing

Knowledge is Power!! As the great Comic Book writer Stan Lee famously expressed, “With great power, there must also come, great responsibility”. We have a duty to our students to share reliable information and uphold quality in our libraries.