ToonDoo

ToonDoo
** Resources: **


 * http://newsletter.edutech.msu.edu/archives/tag/toondoo
 * http://teacherparadigm.blogspot.com/2007/09/using-toondo_22.html
 * http://slav.globalteacher.org.au/2008/12/18/toondoo/
 * http://theopenclassroom.blogspot.com/2008/05/toondoo-and-more.html
 * http://armstrong-history.wikispaces.com/Week+5

** Strengths: **
 * Membership is free
 * Ability to upload your own photos
 * Users can choose from multiple languages
 * There is a “ safe search filter” which edits out any toons that have been flagged as inappropriate by other users.
 * Toons and books do not have to be shared with other users if you prefer students to keep them private or share with friends only.
 * Website is easy to navigate
 * Comic strips and books are easy to create

** Weaknesses: **


 * Limited amount of clipart available (categorized into the sections characters, backgrounds, and props)
 * Students can still access the content that has been flagged inappropriate
 * The size of characters and poses can be hard to stage
 * Can be very time consuming to detailed oriented students who might get so involved in getting the scene just right

** Opportunities **


 * Create comic strips (1-3 frames) or comic books for longer projects
 * TooonDoo has their own blog ( [|http://toondoo.edublogs.org] ) that has a Word of the Day tool where students can learn new vocabulary words
 * Allows students who do not consider themselves to be artistic to create a visual presentation without concentrating too hard on what the final product looks like
 * Increase the likelihood of more participation, because comic strips seem more like fun than work.

** Threats **


 * No way of stopping inappropriate cartoons from being created/posted
 * Students can gain access to inappropriate content


 * Ideas for the classroom: **
 * Students can create a visual representation of a character from a novel
 * Students can use the site to summarize a book/chapter of a book
 * Teachers can create comic strips to visually explain classroom/school procedures at the beginning of the year
 * Students can create their own comic strip to show mastery of Cause and Effect
 * Students can create a comic strip of key people and events from history
 * Can be used to teach/show mastery of dialogue, grammar, punctuation, etc.
 * Students can use the comic strip to dispel math misconceptions in a funny way
 * Can be used in faculty meetings as ice breakers before professional development
 * Can be used as a warm-up to get students thinking about the concept of the day