This project explored how comics could be used in an educational environment. We were asked to compare two comic creation applications, write a short story based on a common standard and create six days of comic strips based on this story and we were also asked to create an instructional activity that uses comics.
I used first grade standards relating to historical figures for the assignment because I have a first grader and his questions about Benjamin Franklin helped craft the short story and comics.
COMPARISON CHART
Ease of Use
Pixton was more difficult than ComicLife to use because there were more options to choose from.
ComicLife looks like Microsoft Office, so the interface was familiar.
Templates
There are pre-made templates that you just insert the characters and text into with Pixton.
There were many templates available with ComicLife. It seemed as though they had one for every possible need one could imagine.
Layout of program
Pixton seemed self-explanatory to me. I didn’t have any problems finding what I needed.
ComicLife’s layout was more difficult. I couldn’t figure out how to do what I wanted to do.
Options available with free sign up option
Pixton allows for two characters and unlimited comics.
ComicLife is available for a free 30 day trial, but after 30 days, it costs $29.99.
Graphics available for use
Pixton offers a wide range of characters and the availability of backgrounds and props for the comics are nice. However, I am only able to create two characters with this website.
If I wanted to use my personal photos for my comics, ComicLife would have been a great tool. However, it was not the look I wanted for my comics.
Options for sharing
A link is offered as was to share the comic or you can email it. To download it, you have to have “credits” in your account, which is easy because you get credits for doing just about anything on the website.
ComicLife has many options for sharing its comics. Facebook, email, PDF or JPG are just a few of the options.
Instructional Activity
The instructional activity I have chosen is to create a Help Desk comic strip named, “Help! My Computer is Broken!” that may help users in our hospital remember simple, time saving tips and hints in regard to using computers. The audience for this is anyone in the hospital that uses a computer – nurses, admissions, secretaries, doctors, etc. The purpose of approaching this delicate subject of computer issues this way is to make it light hearted. This is a non-threatening way to help end users start solving some of their own computer issues without having to call the Tenet Help Desk or local IT support.The only materials needed for this activity will be Pixton and a list of current help desk issues to be used as the topic of the comics. For ease of comprehension, only one help desk issue will be addressed per comic. Comics will be distributed via email to department directors. We will ask that they be printed and placed in the common areas where they will be seen. The assessment of how effective the comics are will come in time, however, any additional help our end users receive is helpful. We will also be able to look at the number of calls and tickets that are open that match up with the comics. The goal is for the number of calls to decrease significantly. However, there is no guarantee that people will read the comics or put into practice what they have learned from them.I think the biggest challenge is in knowing what issues to tackle and which comic creation program would support this instructional activity best.
Looks Funny to Me
This project explored how comics could be used in an educational environment. We were asked to compare two comic creation applications, write a short story based on a common standard and create six days of comic strips based on this story and we were also asked to create an instructional activity that uses comics.
I used first grade standards relating to historical figures for the assignment because I have a first grader and his questions about Benjamin Franklin helped craft the short story and comics.
COMPARISON CHART
Instructional Activity
The instructional activity I have chosen is to create a Help Desk comic strip named, “Help! My Computer is Broken!” that may help users in our hospital remember simple, time saving tips and hints in regard to using computers. The audience for this is anyone in the hospital that uses a computer – nurses, admissions, secretaries, doctors, etc. The purpose of approaching this delicate subject of computer issues this way is to make it light hearted. This is a non-threatening way to help end users start solving some of their own computer issues without having to call the Tenet Help Desk or local IT support.The only materials needed for this activity will be Pixton and a list of current help desk issues to be used as the topic of the comics. For ease of comprehension, only one help desk issue will be addressed per comic. Comics will be distributed via email to department directors. We will ask that they be printed and placed in the common areas where they will be seen. The assessment of how effective the comics are will come in time, however, any additional help our end users receive is helpful. We will also be able to look at the number of calls and tickets that are open that match up with the comics. The goal is for the number of calls to decrease significantly. However, there is no guarantee that people will read the comics or put into practice what they have learned from them.I think the biggest challenge is in knowing what issues to tackle and which comic creation program would support this instructional activity best.
Project Description :: Reflection/Conclusion :: References :: About the Author