Comic Life 3 for iPad and iPhone (Spring 2020), takes the latest functionality from the photo comic desktop application and wraps it up in an easy to use touch interface, so users can effortlessly make stunning comics from personal own images. Easily go from taking photos to creating full comics all on one device with full page templates and panel layouts. Simply bring in photos from a personal photo library or access web photos via the Flickr integration, and use our powerful editing and design tools to create the desired photo comic. This app costs $4.99.
Type of Material:
Development Tool
Recommended Uses:
Since the photos used are personal, there are a variety of ways to use this app including in-class work, team work, sequencing of tasks, self-paced development, homework, portfolio of events, flyers, book reports, and more. It could also be used as an assessment task so students could use the app to show what they know about a given topic.
Technical Requirements:
Requires iOS 8.1 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Comic Life 3 is designed to create photo comics on a mobile device in an easy and efficient way.
Target Student Population:
Grade School, Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This app employs several digital skills including image import, drag and drop, and customization of images, lettering and comic layout design. Comic Life 3 allows users to edit tiny details, from the shape and style of word bubbles to the size and placement of each story cell. The script editor in Comic Life 3 (iPad only) allows users to reference the panel descriptions as a shooting guide.
When the comic is complete, the user can use the integrated reader to review the pages on his or her device. Or the comic can be shared with the teacher, friends and/or family in a variety of ways. Although this app costs $4.99, it is well worth it. (The desktop version of Comic Life is $29.99 and worth it.)
Concerns:
None.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Comic Life 3 can be used for school projects, how to guides, flyers for events or groups, storyboarding, lesson plans, book reports, and more. The fact that user photos can be used to make the comics not only personalizes the learning, but also allows for targeting specific content whether it be step-by-step procedures, documenting a class field trip, or creating a personal adventure to share. A sample script is included in the app. Creating a script prior to developing the comic could be an assignment in itself. The structure of this app allows for integration into the curriculum and across disciplines. Furthermore, key aspects of visual literacy can be incorporated into the development of the comics.
Concerns:
None.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The range of templates (or blank, if users desire), easy-to-use interface, and customization make this app appealing to beginners as well as seasoned comic designers. Navigation of the app is clean and information is presented in a systematic manner. Under the tool icon in the upper right corner there is clear information. In particular, if the user taps on Go to help, he or she wil find a drop-down list of bullets with specific information on getting started in Comic Life, working with a script (for iPad only), working with images, ballons, captions, lettering, panels, and shapes, formatting the comic, and sharing (or printing) the comic. There is also information on how to organize your saved comics within the app. The comics can be copied to DropBox, iTunes, and WebDAV. They can be shared with Photo Library, Email, Facebook, and Twitter. And, if users are on an iPad, they can be sent to another iPad.
Concerns:
None.
Creative Commons:
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