Creating Comics with Photoscape

Photoscape is a free software which you can download. This software has many uses but the one which I really like is the ability to create photo collages and add speech bubbles.

It would be interesting to hear how others would use this software. It is great for creating Digital Storytelling, comics, digital multimodal products and collages.

To create a comic click on 'Page'.

You can then select the size of the page and select the page template you wish.

Change the size by clicking on Edit, an A4 size is Width: 720 and Height 1040

You select the folder with images and click and drag the images into the collage.

To add the speech bubble, click on edit and then object. Customise the speech bubble.
You can then save the page as a jpeg file to your computer.

Creating Photo Collages can also be a great way to tell a story by choosing a theme or take photos of the same object from different angles.  I would love to hear ways you would you this software.

Comix - Free Online Comic Creator

I love looking for new ways students can create comics. A colleague of mine passed on a link to me called Comix. It is described as a free preschool online game. It is very easy to use with simple click and drag on the page functions.


The site offers a range of images students can choose from. In the Draw section ,there are text options with speech bubbles or text box. You easily change the size of the cell and add more. Students can also draw and upload their own images. The great thing about this site is you don’t need to register and you can save the image as a jpeg when click on Publish. (It asks for author's name but you don't need to fill it out to save)

Students can use this site for many purposes:

• Creating a multimodal text
• As inspiration for a story
• To interpret a story
• Practice spelling words
• Create a sequence
• Create Big, Bigger, Biggest images
• A poster

Ideas for Stop Motion Animation

Creating Stop Motion Animation can be a great way for students to engage in learning content of any subject area. Stop Motion can be created in different ways. It can be divided into using 2D or 3D materials.


2D:

• Whiteboard and whiteboard marker

• Post it notes

• Cut outs, print our characters and make body parts moveable

• Foams letters or magnetic letters (Great for title sequence to add some interest)

• Roll out modelling clay and use cookie cutters



3D:

• Modelling clay (Make shapes or characters)

• Toys eg. Legos, action figures

• Objects eg. Stationery, cutlery, buttons, paddle pop sticks

• Create a set out of a box.

• Document change: Set the camera to take photos in intervals and document change eg. The sky, a plant growing etc.



Students have fabulous ideas and the best intentions, unfortunately their abilities can restrict the production of these ideas. Modelling clay characters can be difficult. I found these great people and bird add on pieces to push into clay. They make fabulous creatures without needing any modelling skills (and they are fun to make).

Here are some scaffolding activities I use as an introduction to build confidence:

• With a whiteboard, create the illusion of writing your name with your finger.

• Make a piece of paper fold up and then unfold by itself. (Done by reversing slides)

• Make buttons follow each other in a line



Here are some ideas for animations:

• Convert a fairytale, fable or nursery rhyme.

• Adapt a movie story line

• Create a Music Film clip

• Convey a message ‘Save the Environment'

• Re-write history

• Create characters from a novel students are reading

Here are a few You Tube videos I like to show students to give provide inspiration:



The Animals Save the Planet - Energy Efficient Penguin

(There are many others in this series)

Clay Play

There was a Time

Deadline - Post it Stop Motion

Ping Pong Ball Stop Motion

Legos-Grease