Quiz on creating a comic or infocomic

 Comics or infocomics are a good learning tool. 

Suggestion - create the comic, then copy the images to Word or PowerPoint. 

Try this quiz.

Comic Strip Design Checklist

 Comics and infocomics are easy to design. Have a look at this checklist.

1. Planning and Concept Development

✔ Identify the main idea, theme or message
✔ Create a short storyline with a beginning, middle and end
✔ Decide whether the comic will be humorous, informative or narrative
✔ Define the target audience (age, reading level, interests)
✔ Select the style: realistic, cartoon, stick figures or digital characters

 2. Characters

✔ Design characters that are visually distinct and recognisable
✔ Keep character design consistent across all panels
✔ Show clear emotions through facial expressions and body language
✔ Ensure characters support the message or storyline
✔ Limit the number of characters to avoid crowding

 3. Panel Layout and Structure

✔ Plan the number and size of panels needed
✔ Arrange panels in a clear, logical reading order (left-to-right, top-to-bottom)
✔ Ensure gutters (spaces between panels) are even and neat
✔ Keep each panel focused on a single action or moment
✔ Avoid overcrowding panels with too much text or imagery

 4. Setting and Backgrounds

✔ Use simple, uncluttered backgrounds that support the story
✔ Ensure settings remain consistent throughout
✔ Include only essential background details
✔ Avoid overly detailed scenery that draws focus away from characters
✔ Use visual cues to indicate changes in location or time

 5. Speech Bubbles, Text and Dialogue

✔ Use speech bubbles to show dialogue and thought bubbles for inner voice
✔ Place bubbles in the correct reading order
✔ Keep text short, clear and natural
✔ Ensure the font is readable and appropriately sized
✔ Limit the number of bubbles per panel to avoid clutter

 6. Visual Style and Composition

✔ Maintain a consistent art style (colour, line thickness, character proportions)
✔ Use expressive visuals such as action lines, motion cues or sound effects
✔ Use colour strategically to draw attention or show emotion
✔ Ensure good contrast between text and background
✔ Remove unnecessary decorative elements that distract

 7. Storytelling and Flow

✔ Ensure each panel meaningfully contributes to the story
✔ Use transitions effectively (moment-to-moment, action-to-action, scene-to-scene)
✔ Maintain smooth narrative flow from panel to panel
✔ Include a clear climax or point of interest
✔ End with a strong closing panel (punchline, conclusion or insight)

 8. Technical and Accessibility Considerations

✔ Ensure the comic is readable on both small and large screens
✔ Use high-resolution artwork to avoid pixelation
✔ Select accessible fonts (Arial, Verdana, Open Dyslexic, etc.)
✔ Maintain good colour contrast for readability
✔ Provide alt-text for digital versions where required

 9. Quality Assurance

✔ Check spelling, punctuation and grammar
✔ Verify consistency in characters, colours and style
✔ Confirm that layout guides the eye correctly
✔ Ensure humour or message is appropriate for the audience
✔ Seek peer or teacher feedback and revise

 10. Final Review

✔ Does the comic clearly communicate the story or message?
✔ Are the characters engaging and expressive?
✔ Is the text easy to read and well-placed?
✔ Does the comic maintain visual balance and simplicity?
✔ Can the reader understand the entire story in less than one minute?

Thanks to ChatGPT

Continuous Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) points

Teachers can get Continuous Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) points by completing courses. Have a look at this form and the courses available. You do the course and they do the paperwork. These courses are all online.

The course on 'H5P for teachers' is worth 10 points.

Here are courses available soon.

Here is a list of the 2024 courses offered online by Dos Reis and Venter Education Associates in PDF format.

Keeping text in a Word document hidden

You can ‘hide’ a note to yourself in Word. Type the text, then select it and select Hidden in the Font dialogue box. It is then not displayed on the screen.

When you select the Show/Hide icon it appears with small dotted underlining. To make the text appear when printed, go to Options, Display, Printing Options. You could use this feature during an assessment. Create a test with the answers hidden in the document. Print the test with the questions, and then print it later displaying the questions and answers.

Chat GPT and education

Chat GPT is going to change the way we teach!

Link to website: https://chat.openai.com/

A very clear file on Updating your course syllabus for ChatGPT

Have a look at the video from Mr Long -
Mr Long's video on What is Chat GPT and its impact on students and teachers

AI Content detector - you can use this https://writer.com/ai-content-detector/

Example of video made with Powtoon

This video was made a long time. Powtoon has become more interactive since then. Note how there is time to read and digest the text. It is all about the different cognitive levels which are meant to be found in a Computer Applications Technology examination.

Benefits of using videos in education

There are many benefits to using videos in education.

Links

• Why Videos are Important in Education
• 10 Reasons to Use Video for Education