Instructional Objective: The learner will think of
a situation when they or someone they know
encountered bullying and then depict the bullying
using Pixton Cartoon creator. Learners will
brainstorm a solution to how they could handle
the bullying situation properly!
Students will have to use creative thinking and
inquiry learning to conceive the idea and will then
figure out how to use the technology through
problem based learning.
Using Pixton.com to create comics within any classroom for
any assignment meets several of the NETS-T and NETS-S
standards
NETS-S (Standards for Students)
1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge,
and develop innovative products and processes using
technology.
*Using Pixton.com will allow students to utilize technology to
create a product that allows students to create a comic strip
using imagination and creativity.
NETS-S addressed using Pixton to create any comic
strip assignment
NETS-S (Standards for Students)
2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and
work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual
learning and contribute to the learning of others.
**Students accomplish this standard by communicating their final
comic strips to fellow classmates or the teacher to show an
understanding of a new concept. Sharing of new concepts with
fellow classmates will support the learning of others.
The Pixton Pals team decided to create a lesson using Pixton that
focused on Character Counts anti-bullying. Within this specific Pixton
Lesson plan, several NETS-S are addressed.
NETS-S (Standards for Students)
The previously mentioned standards are addressed plus additional standards
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving,and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage
projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate
digital tools and resources.
** Students will accomplish this standard by using critical thinking skills to plan
a comic strip that will promote anti-bullying. Students will also have to problem
solve or troubleshoot any technology problems that might arise during the
creation of the comic strip.
Using Pixton in any content area classroom
will address several standards for teachers
NETS-T (Standards for Teachers)
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and
learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance
student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face
and virtual environments.
**When teachers create lesson plans that involve students creating
Pixton comics, the teachers are encouraging student learning while
focusing on creating in a virtual environment.
NETS-T (Standards for Teachers)
1. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences
and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to
maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills,
and attitudes identified in the NETS·S.
**Teachers will accomplish this task by desiging an implementing Pixton.com
into a lesson plan which is a contemporary tool to help maximize content
learning.
1. Pixton-Web 2.0 Tools
https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/INSITE/Pixton
This site contains information about Pixton and also elementary and
secondary lesson plans complete with standards.
2. 12th grade world lit class Lesson LINK
My 12th grade World Literature class recently completed a brief graphic storytelling assignment using Pixton software.
3. Teaching English Lesson Link Reading and Responding to Catcher in the
Rye
4. Teaching Environmental Issues Lesson Link Students learn to save energy!
Students will use the Pixton Comic Creator to create comic strips about
how to solve for a given percent word problem.
5.MATH Lesson Link
n
Clemson University used Pixton
in several collegiate level
classes. Click HERE to view
the various ways they
incorporated Pixton.com
**They also provide their own
lists of pros and cons!
This video shows the basics of Pixton.
Pixton also has a page dedicated to video tutorials. Access these videos by going to the "for fun"
homepage and then clicking help. A drop down menu appears and through personal selection
the user learns from one of the creators of the site. Here is a screenshot of what the tutorial
looks like.
The individualized videos offer directions from basic to advanced use of the site.
1. Using Pixton Comics as Learning Video
2. Pixton for Schools - 21st Century Visual Writing Tool
Video - Student account
Take a look at a student account. You can see the many
assignments from different classes with rubrics posted!
*Free Pixton for Fun
* Student use Inquiry based learning and problem solving to figure out how to
use Pixton.
* Students enjoy the creativity of using project based learning!
*Students display ownership of work
* There is an emotional approach to the program.
* The program is easy to use K-12 across the curriculum.
* Students can share comics on blogs and can comment on each others work.
* Great assessment tool to evaluate students understanding.
* Allows for differentiated instruction
*Allows visual learners an opportunity to use their skills to fully comprehend
new material
*
Teacher can not monitor student work through basic Pixton
* Education Pixton needs a paid subscription
* The program quits frequently and is not saved.
* The free Pixton has limited scenes and characters are limited.
*Access to computer labs is a must to use this tool
*Students might not have access to computers.
* Not all students will catch on to how to use the site easily. LEARNING CURVE!
Students might focus too much on comic and lose site of the objective.
Pixton comics can be used to address various learning techniques,
styles, and standards. In particular, Pixton comics allows both the
teacher and the students to use inquiry/problem-based learning.
1. A teacher can give an assignment to research almost anything. This
research can be content based (WWII in social studies, Global
Warming in science, a specific character in a novel for English). The
research can also be about character building like the lesson
created from the Pixton Pals group.
**In a research assignment where the end result is sharing information
through a Pixton comic, students will have to inquire about
information pertaining to their given topic. Also, the students will
have to problem solve or troubleshoot any technological issues that
may arise.
Inquiry/Problem-Based Learning Continued
2. Pixton comics can be used in a speech class
or English class when assigning a persuasive
writing/speech lesson plan.
**Some students are able to express themselves better through
visuals rather than writing. Instead of having students write
a persuasive speech or paper, students can use Pixton to
communicate the same information in a visual manner. This
would allow students to inquire about the topic of
persuasion and provide solutions to the argument at hand.
Inquiry/Problem-Based Learning
3. Pixton isn't just for the classroom. Student
groups such as student council or student
government can use Pixton to voice students'
opinions about various topics such as dress code
**Students would be able to come up with a problem (eg students do
not want to have a dress code) and come up with possible solutions.
The problem and solution then could be transferred to a comic to
communicate the problem and solution in a quick and effective way.
Finished Pixton- Character Education
1. Pixton could be used for Problem Based Learning in many ways. The
teacher could give the students a problem or challenge and ask
students to make a comic to solve this problem. Students could work
with a partner, research the topic and come up with a solution to that
problem. They could then each create a Pixton that would solve this
problem. This would be shared with others in the class. This method
incorporates many strategies in PBL.
2. This web 2.0 source is free for the basic Pixton which is a pro. There is
a education Pixton that does cost money, but allows better monitoring
of use. It would be hard to track what students are doing with the basic
one. I also thought it was hard to navigate and manipulate certain parts
of the comic. I think it would be too hard for the early grades, but
would work in the secondary setting. I think that students would enjoy
use, but would be very time consuming.
The Pixton Pals say "Character Counts"!
For a technology based assessment, Pixton.com is a great tool.
Students are not only able to problem solve to address the questions
posed by the assignment, they can also learn how to use the program
to further their knowledge of technology. I recently finished reading
The Metamorphosis with my classes and if I were to use Pixton as a
form of assessment I would have students create the main character
as they see him before and after his "metamorphosis" or
transformation in the novella. Another use for the comic strip is to
have students create a graphic novella of the story. Use of this web
2.0 technology potentially addresses all of the NETS-S standards
and is a great way for self expression of students who are or are not
artists.
Finished Pixton and Ideas and thoughts how
the tool could be used for inquiry/problembased learning
Pixton would be a great technology tool to use
for problem solving in just about any
curricular area at any age! Students could
be given a problem to research and apply
problem solving skills. Then they could
illustrate their solutions in a comic format. I
think students would find Pixton a fun and
motivating Web 2.0 technology. It is free,
but if you want more tools and options, you
can upgrade for a small fee.