I found a fun and exciting software at the EATRC! Here's what I found out:
- Name of technology: Kreative Komix
- Category of assistive technology: Reading- comprehension and vocabulary, Writing- productivity through text and auditory feedback.
- How it works: Kreative Komix is a program that gives students a blank canvas to create a comic book or slide show on. When students begin a new story, they are given a blank screen and several categories they can use to add information to their story. Students select the scene, with categories including fairytales, sci-fi, American history, superheroes, or something from their own library. Next, students can browse through a list of characters and props, build their own character, or select items to include in their comic. There are also a lot of advanced features that can be added. Some of these include text bubbles, audio clips, and animation. There are features that allow the user to move characters around in the comic, change their size, and flip things around. After students create their comics, there are several options for presenting them. Students can print their comic as an actual book or leave it on the computer and play it as a slide show. For teachers, the comics can be printed to provide visual support or writing prompts. There is also a poster feature that can be used to make anchor charts.
- Universal Design for Learning principles that might be facilitated by this technology:
- Representation of information: Kreative Komix presents information to students in a new and interactive format. Students also have the ability to decide how they want their information presented to others using this software. The comic books can serve as a great visual to use with different lessons. Finally, teachers can use Kreative Komix to create interesting prompts for students to use when starting the writing process. This is a great alternative to regular writing prompts that are presented only in text form.
- Engagement in learning: Kreative Komix gives students a great opportunity to engage in the writing process. Because of the interactive and creative nature of the software, students would be more motivated to engage in reading and writing activities.
- Students who might benefit from this technology: Many students would benefit from using this program. Students who struggle with reading comprehension would benefit from having a visual aid to use with their reading. Some students struggle with the writing process. Kreative Komix would give them a different format to use for prewriting and creating a first draft. For example, students could create a comic book as the first draft of a story and then create a written version of the comic book later. Kreative Komix would be a great program for students who are English language learners. ELL students would benefit from having a visual aid to use during certain lessons.
- Concerns or reservations: Some of the advanced features in the program could be very distracting for some students. It is really easy to play around with something small for a long time and to forget to complete the comic. It could take students a long time to actually complete a comic when they first start using the program because of all the options available. I also think it would be more accessible if the text on the program came in multiple languages and/or with a speech feature for students who may have vision problems. The other concern I have is the price. The program itself is not expensive (it's around 40$), but you have to buy each scene or theme separately. There are six themes in all (science fiction, dinosaurs, history, fairytales, superheroes, and science) which would make it expensive if you wanted to purchase all of them. One theme could still be really useful though!
- Suggestions: I think Kreative Komix could be a useful tool in the classroom. However, I would recommend that teachers introduce it slowly so students learn to use as a tool instead of a game.
Lyndsey
