Bitstrips

Bitstrips is a resource in which teachers & students can create comics connected to educational concepts.

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**Strengths**
 * A free 30-day trial allows you to test Bitstrips with your classroom
 * Cloud computing capability allows users to access Bitstrips without any installation
 * Bitstrips can link comics with curriculum-based concepts
 * The comics are engaging, and it allows students a creative venue to demonstrate their knowledge on specific topics in an alternative manner
 * Digital comics can be used with any grade level, from elementary school to the university level
 * Bitstrips is perfect for reaching out to lower-ability learners, English-language learners, and at-risk students
 * Students can access Bitstrips from their home computers
 * Students can share their finished comics with their parents & family
 * Teachers can monitor permission settings and create virtual classrooms
 * The comics are relatively easy to create with the given tools
 * Students can upload personal images to use in Bitstrips
 * Free Smartphone App is available (unsure of quality)

**Weaknesses**
 * Bitstrips isn’t free, as it requires a monthly subscription
 * Each classroom (up to 40 students) requires a separate subscription
 * The resource may not appeal to all learners
 * Students without Internet access at home will not have additional opportunities to access site

**Opportunities**
 * Give the students an opportunity to participate in an alternative assessment
 * Use digital comics to have students develop critical thinking skills
 * Highlight the creative skills of students
 * Use Bitstrips to help reach all students, especially ELLs and at-risk students
 * Use digital comics throughout the school year with certain topics, and showcase the finished comics with parents and the school community

**Threats**
 * Limited computer access may factor how often students have the opportunity to use Bitstrips
 * Teacher needs to consistently monitor student activities for abuses/improper usage

**Ideas for the classroom**
 * Introduce Bitstrips by having each student create his/her own avatar, including the teacher
 * In the beginning, have students become familiar with Bitstrips by working in small groups. This way, they can work together creating scenery and writing dialogue for the characters
 * After the students have created their comics, give them an opportunity to share their comics with the other students in the classroom
 * Think of creative ways to use digital comics that may not have been previously considered, such as a math lesson or to demonstrate lab safety procedures in a science classroom
 * Bitstrips could be used as part of a literacy computer station. (Robinson, G).

Bitstrips (Neil C.) I thought this was an awesome website to check out. I’m a very artistic individual and to teach students through digital comic strips looks like a fun idea! Think about the help you can provide for ESL students; there are a lot of possibilities with Bitstrips. Here’s a link to a tutorial I found on YouTube: []

Bitstrips (Marisa M.)I think this tool is interesting to say the least. I never thought it would be good for classroom use because I see them all over Facebook and Instagram. However, many of my teachers in the past begin or end a lesson with some humor. At first I didn't think this was a true Web 2.0 tool because I didn't think students could collaborate. Yet after reading the SWOT analysis I have found that with a membership you can have all of your students logged on and working together. One idea I have for Bitstrip use in the classroom is for literature. After students of any grade have read a story and discussed it's themes, setting, characters, and plot, students can begin a project where they create a strip of the story. They are now using the details from the story to bring life to the characters, setting, and themes. Bitstrips (Betty O) I found this site to be creative and fun. I think it would be a great tool to show the students, and give the students this site as an option. Let's say you had a project where the students must present researched information, give this as an option for presenting the information rather than a more traditional PowerPoint or Prezi. I found it to be rather user friendly, though I don't know how well young primary elementary students would do with it. There is also now a Smartphone App for this product! I didn't have the opportunity to download it and play with it, but I'm guessing it is something the kids would love to be able to use in class, and the App is free and is currently quite popular for creating comics for Facebook.