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Description:
Pixton is an interactive online tool designed for creating digital comics, graphic novels, and storyboards. Once logged in, the user can craft their comic avatars and begin making graphic stories panel by panel (Edwards, 2022). Its user-friendly interface, featuring click-and-drag functionality, allows users to select and customize backgrounds and characters while adding speech bubbles or thoughts (Edwards, 2022). Various content packs, categorized by grade level and theme, expand these options. This makes it an excellent choice for fostering creative storytelling and effective visual communication in the classroom. While Pixton provides a free 7-day full-access trial, a subscription model is available that unlocks additional features and benefits (Pixton Inc, 2023).
Implementation in the classroom:
The functionality of Pixton is extended to education by allowing teachers to make customized 'rooms' tailored to specific classes and subjects. In these virtual spaces, students can actively participate, creating personalized avatars that represent them (Edwards, 2022). It can be used in specifically in science classrooms during lessons that aim to describe particles and their behavior when they interact with each other, as well as external factors. Students could design a graphic or create a story where certain characters represent elements and the content is how they react when they meet. It can also be used in math classes to help students visually represent word problems as these tend to be more conceptually difficult.
How the tool enhances student learning:
This interactive platform fosters engagement in various creative activities and facilitates the formation of dynamic learning communities. Pixton's customizable options allow it to be a creative outlet where one can enhance self-expression and imaginative thinking (Meyers, 2013). This is seen by allowing students to express themselves in ways that resonate with their individual preferences and abilities. Further, by engaging with the visual elements of Pixton, such as selecting backgrounds, characters, and speech bubbles, students are able to develop and strengthen their visual communication skills (Meyers, 2013).
A SAMR progression for Pixton could be:
Substitution: Students make comic strips digitally rather than by hand.
Augmentation: Students easily and quickly revise comic strips based on feedback.
Modification: Students select diverse characters and media to create unique comics with ease. Students can customize backgrounds with their own images and change the color of the skin, hair, and eyes of their characters.
Redefinition: Students share their comics with others via social media. Additionally, the digital aspect of this tool makes it easier for less artistically inclined students to be encouraged and inspired.
References
Edwards, L. (2022, July 22). What is Pixton and How Can it Be Used to Teach? Tips & Tricks. TechLearningMagazine; Future Publishing Limited Quay House. https://www.techlearning.com/how-to/what-is-pixton-and-how-can-it-be-used-to-teach-tips-and-tricks
Meyers, E. (2013). Theory, Technology, and Creative Practice: Using Pixton Comics to Teach Communication Theory. Communication Teacher, 28(1), 32–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/17404622.2013.839051
Pixton Comic & Storyboard Builder for Education. (2023). Pixton Inc. https://www.pixton.com
Welcome to Pixton! (2023, August 10). www.youtube.com. Pixton Comics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYRUspPeTSs
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