Cartoons and Comics

Cartoons and Comics

ToonDoo:

http://www.toondoo.com/cartoon/9400912

ToonDoo offers the user the ability to sign up for ToonDoo’s free account or ToonDoo spaces which provides the user with all the resources the free option has plus a few more. I really enjoy when users are able to preview the program before using it, and this option was not available for ToonDoo so that is something I disliked. I would have preferred seeing an example before beginning to make a comic strip to get an idea of how to use the program. The sign-up process for ToonDoo was very easy even for young users. Once I figured out where to start, I was able to choose the layout for my comic strip. I begin by choosing a background and then I added characters and some text to my comic strip. I believe the comics were very easy to create after playing with the program for a while. I didn’t have any trouble saving my comic strip. I believe TooDoo offers a variety of resources to successfully create a comic strip. I believe students would enjoy working with ToonDoo because it is another way for them to be able to communicate their thoughts and ideas through a comic strip.

Pixton

https://Pixton.com/ic:qxaguc8m

The sign up process for Pixton was very easy once you verify your email account. I dislike having to verify my email account, I prefer being able to have access to the program immediately after signing up. I really enjoyed how the program offers a variety of setting and characters to choose from.  This made the process of creating a comic strip very easy because I didn’t have to brainstorm what background I would be using, I was able to simply choose one. After choosing a background the user is able to choose a character for the comic strip. I really enjoyed the way a text box automatically appears once a character is added to the comic strip. I believe this is a great feature for the program because the user doesn’t have to look for a text box it automatically appears. I feel the comics on Pixton were very easy to create, but I don’t feel a variety of objects were available to make the comics interesting. Overall, Pixton is a great and easy way to make comic strips. The process of saving the comic strip is extremely easy because the user simply has to click on the green check mark below the comic strip. I believe students would easily be able to use Pixton to make comic strips.

MakeBeliefsComix

This program provides users with a tour of the program. I believe this is a very helpful in explaining to users how exactly to use the program to create a comic strip. Another thing I liked about this program is the user doesn’t even have to sign up. The user can view the tour, and then begin making a comic strip immediately. The user is able to choose a background for the setting from the preselected backgrounds available. Once a background is chosen the user can add characters, text, and even other objects to make the comic more interesting. I believe the comics are easy to make with this program and children would be able to make comic strips to express themselves. However, this program doesn’t have the ability to save the comic strip. The user must print and email a copy of the comic strip in order to save it. This is the only program that allows the user to save the comic strip to a pin drive which can be helpful if a printer is not available. I believe the variety for this program was very limited in comparison to the other programs I visited. Overall, I believe children would be able to make comic strips with this program.

I have always enjoyed reading the comic strips from the newspaper but I had never thought of actually creating one. I enjoyed creating comic strips with the different programs I visited. I would love to have students create an alternate ending to a story and then create a comic to present their alternate ending of the story to the class. I will be using Pixton because I feel the comic strips were very easy to create and save. I will first model how to use Pixton with my students and then I will allow them to create their very own comic strip to share with others in the library.