Over the years, the site has made progress to increase character diversity and add backgrounds and objects for learners to choose from (including 3D ones). Choices are important in story building, and these options allow learners to do more. However, choosing a character and background still requires quite a few scrolls. It would be nice if the learner could see a large window with all the options.
Make Beliefs Comix provides a list of ways the site content can be used in the classroom to teach writing, storytelling, literary analysis, and other principles. Ideas range from encouraging learners to create autobiographical cartoons to using cartoons to help them understand new vocabulary.
In most cases, students will have to work independently on the site. Unfortunately, there is no facility to save your creations on the site for later viewing online. However, learners can save their comics locally, print them, or email them. The site’s wealth of (even overwhelming) activity suggestions, including hundreds of printables (which are incredibly useful), will help learners practice their writing and get more done. It can help you prepare to write long essays or stories. These printed materials are also a great way to reinforce and extend the learning taking place on the Make Beliefs Comix site.
Beyond the printables, the Lesson Plans and Writing Tools/Prompts sections are worth a visit. . Another new feature available to educators is interactive e-books.
If you are a teacher with a healthy population of English learners, there is an ESL section that offers activities to keep learners learning English. If you’re working on learning a language other than English, this site supports learners learning French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Latin. The site accepts words written in those languages. Also includes lesson ideas for learners with special needs.
Students can get hints throughout the process. The site displays a dialog prompt under each blank frame explaining the importance of pacing and plotting. This help is a welcome perk for learners struggling with content. However, these instructions are text-heavy, and educators will want to help point them out and explain them. For example, her excellent and comprehensive Printables section features some thought-provoking exercises that help learners identify emotions and make better decisions. Writing activities encourage gratitude and learning from mistakes. Many themed comics that include spaces to add text emphasize empathy and self-esteem. You can also introduce your learners to topics such as women’s rights and an analysis of the impact of 9/11 on their lives. Make Beliefs Comix isn’t as versatile and streamlined as other comic creators like Pixton, but it remains free (albeit with ads) and focuses on social and emotional learning (SEL). It encourages learners’ creativity and self-expression.
Make Beliefs Comix also has a huge amount of resources for educators, but they’re not well organized (the whole site is a bit old-fashioned), but they can definitely be used in the classroom. There are lesson plans that provide ideas for literature, writing, ESL, and foreign language teaching. Writing quick suggestions can also help learners get started if they get stuck. Additional sections provide advice on using the site with learners with autism, deafness, and other special needs. It’s nothing but what makes Make Beliefs Comix a great resource.
Website: https://www.makebeliefscomix.com/
User’s overall consensus about the app
student involvement
It’s a friendly, positive experience and a joy to create comics with. The design can be updated and streamlined for easier navigation.
Curriculum and instruction
Students practice writing and expressing themselves with the help of clever implementation ideas provided to educators. Construction on the site relies on pre-made drawings.
customer support
There are some contextual tips for creating comics, but they are redundant and hidden. Teachers have access to her plans for ESL, foreign languages, and writing lessons as well as resources tailored to the requirements of learners with special needs.
