Technology Evaluation Tool

Toontastic
Toontastic is a storytelling app that allows users to create a story using premade paper doll
type characters. The app uses the plot graph model and gives you a setting, characters, and
music for the scene (you can even draw your own characters!). If necessary, you can add extra
scenes (you start with five). After you have populated the scene with the setting and characters,
you record what is going on in that scene with your microphone. Each scene is 60 seconds
long. You can also move the characters around, though they are a little unwieldy. Then you put
background music to the scene. You are guided through the process. There is a delete button,
however, there is no undo button (I accidentally erased one of my slides completely when I was
trying to try out a new feature)
1. Which core curriculum standards and objectives will this technology help me address? How?
Standard 78.T.CR.1: Develop imagination to create artistic ideas and work. - Students create
their story (artistic work) and can manipulate it in any way their imagination lets them.
Standard 78.T.P.5: Communicate meaning using the voice through volume, pitch, tone, rate,
and clarity. - Students have to record their voices, so they can adjust their vocal qualities to fit
the story they are telling.
Standard 78.T.P.9: Perform a variety of dramatic works for peers or invited audiences. - This
would be one way to share a dramatic work.
Standard 78.T.CO.1: Examine a community issue through multiple perspectives in a
drama/theatre work. - This app could be used to explore a community issue. When the students
share their stories, they will see other perspectives.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.5

Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and
findings and emphasize salient points.
2. Which ISTE Student Standard(s) will this tool help me address
with my students? How?
4a. Students know and use a deliberate design process for
generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or
solving authentic problems. - This app encourages the deliberate
design process and guides the students through it.
6a. Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for
meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication. This is one of many tools the students could choose to create in
order to achieve objectives.
6b. Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or
remix digital resources into new creations. - This app allows the
creation of original works, as it is the students story and the students voice.

6d. Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their
intended audiences. - Content is easily customizable and students can focus on their intended
audience.
3. Which level(s) of Blooms Taxonomy will this tool help me address with my students? How?
Toontastic can allow several levels of Blooms to be address depending
on how the tool is used. You could use it to retell a story, at the
Remembering or Understanding level, you could use it to give a report,
which could be analyzing or evaluating, or you could use it to create new
content and storyboard for other things, which would be creating.
4. How will this tool help you meet your students needs for autonomy,
belonging, competence, relevance, and/or fun?
This tool is very simple to use, there is very little needed as a tutorial, so
students could feel very autonomous as they create and share their stories. Sharing their stories
can also add to their sense of belonging (we have all made these videos, lets watch them
together!), which can build their self esteem. It can be very relevant for creating a story in the
drama classroom, or applying a script, or storyboarding before they film themselves acting out a
scene. It is also very fun to use.
5. How will the technology help to enhance or transform the
learning environment?
Again, this technology has potential to apply at many levels of
transformation of the classroom, depending on how it is used. It can
be used as augmentation as the teacher asks the students to tell a
story. Or it can move into the modification stage, if it is used to
storyboard.

6. How much does the technology cost? Is the cost associated worth it for the educational
benefits and/or frequency with which you will use it? Is there a renewal/ongoing cost
associated? Will it require any accessories (e.g., headphone)?
This app has recently been made free.
7. Is the technology simple to use? Will students be able to use it without too much training? Will
you be able to collect data and/or retrieve their work quickly and easily? Can students work on
projects a little at a time, or do they have to be completed all at once? Will it take very long to
access the tool(s) they need?
This is a very simple technology to use. The tutorial walks you through it, and there are prompts
at regular intervals. You cannot access the video until the students are done with it, but the

video will be shared to your photo roll, from where you can move it to Google Drive. The
students can come back to their project and continue to work on it.

8. Is an account required? Are there teacher/class accounts? Do students need to set up their
own accounts? If so, what personal information must students provide? How is account data
stored/protected?
No account is required. The app simply downloads onto your device. No personal information
need be shared.
9. Is the technology available on multiple platforms? If so, is the functionality or user interface
significantly different? Are final products accessible/viewable/usable across platforms?
Toontastic is only available on the iPad. However, the final video can be saved and shared in
other locations.
10. Is the technology supported/approved by district and school IT personnel? Is it available
through district/school filters? Does use of the technology conform with district/school policies?
Will students be safe using this technology (ads, cookies, etc.)?
Yes. Teachers at my school have been using it. Once the students have downloaded the app,
there should be no filter or safety issues.