Category Number 7

Keywords digital comics, writing, language, creativity, comic strips, comic movie, storyboard Other suggested tools Dvolver Moviemaker http://www.dvolver.com/ Concept Cartoon http://www.conceptcartoons.com/ ! Comic Creator http://www.bam.gov/

Writing Skills Training

URL address of suggested tools Make Beliefs Comix http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/ Toondoo http://www.toondoo.com/

Rationale Enhancing students writing and creative literacy skills is an important part of learning languages. Using digital comics in learning enables students to experiment and utilize these skills. Compared to face to face speaking this way of communication allows students to express contents confidently through the comic characters so that constraints caused by psychological barriers to production in L2 learners are removed and stress connected to productive skills is minimized. Using the included clipart and images a digital comic supports learners stories and allows professional results that learners can be proud of, even if their writing skills are minimal. An advantage is also the possibility to quickly produce and edit results. The tool can be very helpful for lower-levelled students as it maximizes the use of simple language, but as well for the higherlevelled ones as it allows use of a variety of language registers. Its enjoyable format also helps enhance students motivation to learn languages by using an active learning tool and promoting active and creative approach of students. Description Digital comic tools represent a great way to practice writing as well as ICT skills. They include tools allowing you to create your own comic characters, add and edit images from your computer and add character expression. There are also pre-set characters and objects and user created characters available which other users can comment on. Digital comic tools enable you to move, bring to the front or back, flip or delete your images. You can also find user support including story ideas, object clip art, various backgrounds, and speech and thought balloons. Completed comics can be printed, shared (published) and emailed. Resources required No special equipment to use these tools is needed. Obligatory resources desktop computer or laptop Internet browser and connection Optional resources printer if required Cost Suggested tools Make Beliefs Comix: Free Toondoo: Free Another useful tools Dvolver Moviemaker: Free Concept Cartoon: Free ! Comic Creator: Free

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The project Autonomous Personal Learning Networks for Language Teachers has been funded with support from the European Commission. This document reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Implementation methodology To implement language learning lessons utilizing the digital comic format it is necessary to have a classroom equipped with computers and the Internet connection. The task can be equally completed as homework. Students can work either individually or in groups to come up with a solution. There are plenty of possibilities how to explore the comic format in the classroom: Have students place value or reflect on a particular experience in a comic strip. Use comics to talk about holidays, school, work, etc. Illustrate a language problem. Have a character to go through a vocabulary SS were taught in the lesson. Have a character to explain a grammar point. Create a comic book using the strips created by students. Students may serialize their comics by creating a new strip each day as part of a continuing story. Encourage students to use comics characters to comment on local or national events, cultural life, social trends. Create a comic in which the characters deal with a topic or problem given which might be personal or wider social. The results can be printed or emailed, and/or placed in the classroom. Another possibility is to select the best comic between all the students and place it on the school websites or in a school magazine. Other issues Creation of digital comics where characters speak for the creator also provides a mechanism to help autistic and deaf students to communicate. .

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The project Autonomous Personal Learning Networks for Language Teachers has been funded with support from the European Commission. This document reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.