Hello, everyone!
We have two new tasks. One of them is to write a post about about the tool my partner Elçin Çepni and I presented in the classroom. The tool we presented was a website named "Make Beliefs Comix". In my post, I am going to introduce the website, and write why/how it is used. I am also going to suggest some ideas for its use in language teaching and include the materials we have created for our presentation in my post as well.
What is Make Beliefs Comix?
Make Beliefs Comix is web-based comic strip creator that allows you to create digital comic strips online. It is free to use and requires no login or sign up. You can easily customize your comic by changing number of panels, adding various characters, expressions and emotions, talk bubbles, thought bubbles and prompts. You can also adjust the background to your preference. After you create your comic strip, you can share it via email or print it out.
Make Beliefs Comix is mostly used for the purpose of digital storytelling in classroom environment. Students can express themselves, use their creative and imaginative side as well as improving their language and media literacy skills while creating their own comic strips.
How to Use Make Beliefs Comix
Step 1. Go to Make Beliefs Comix and click "Enter Here!" to get started.
Step 2. This is the page where you will create your comic strip.
Step 3. Name your comic and type your own name in the text fields below.
Step 4. Choose a character from the grid.
Step 5. Click on the selection window and the character will appear on the first panel.
Step 6. Use red arrows under the selection window to select different expressions on a character. Here are two examples of other expressions for the professor:
Step 7. Select different backgrounds and background colors, add various words and objects to use in your panel. Panels can also be added up to 4.
Step 8. Use red arrows under the selection window to select various objects, scenes and words. Here are some examples:
Step 9. You can add talk and thought balloons and choose prompts to make your characters communicate in your panel.
Step 10. To select another panel, simply click on it. A red outline will appear around the panel to be worked on next.
Step 11. Additional characters can be added to the panels.
Step 12. Click on the grid that is on the left side of the page to choose from a variety of options including move, scale and flip to adjust your character. You can also click on the top left of the grid to be forwarded to printing or emailing the comic.
Step 13. After clicking "print/email" icon, you will be brought to the following screen. You can either print or email your comic from this screen.
Sample comic strip that my partner and I have created:
There is more...
The website also offers sections for teachers, parents and students with special needs.
ADVANTAGES
Free
No account needed to create comic strips
Easy to use
Simple interface
Able to change expressions and emotions of the characters
Able to add prompts
Sections that provide valuable resources for teachers, parents and students with special needs.
DISADVANTAGES
Limited background and object selection
Limited panel selection
Limited emotions and facial expressions for the characters
Font size and style cannot be changed
Comics cannot be saved in order to be worked at a later date
CLASSROOM USES
Students can pair up and create amusing dialogues on a specific topic using comics. Then, they can act out their dialogues.
Students can work in groups and create their own short comic story.
Students can individually create and analyze a character.
Overall, Make Beliefs Comix is a great digital storytelling website that allows students to express themselves and use their creative and imaginative side. It provides lesson plans, resources and printables for teachers, thought-provoking exercises for students as well as parenting tips for parents.
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