Make+Beliefs+Comix

=Cori O'Hagan =  **Web 2.0 Tool:** Make Beliefs Comix
 * URL:** www.makebeliefscomix.com
 * Overview:**

Bill Zimmerman (2006), author, and Tom Bloom, artist, created the Web 2.0 tool //Make Beliefs Comix// as a safe place for individuals to express themselves in art and writing. The tool could be used by anyone, from teachers and students to parents or business executives. //Make Beliefs Comix// offers a world where anyone can express themselves, whether it be for a homework project in a world language class or just to have some fun in the office. Anyone can use //Make Beliefs Comix// to make a personalized comic strip and in the language of their choosing. There have been over 2 million visitors to //Make Beliefs Comix// from 175 different countries (Zimmerman, 2006). 

This Web 2.0 tool includes the following pages: 
 * //Home//
 * //About Us//- An overview of the creator of this Web 2.0 tool, its applications and goals
 * //Create Comix//-This is your workspace page, where you can create your own comix
 * //How to Play//-A link to the //Make Beliefs Comix// demo
 * //Teacher Resources//--some ideas for how to use //Make Beliefs Comix// in the classroom
 * //Homeschool and Family Fun//-- getting children to read, write and tell their stories through //Make Beliefs Comix//
 * //Other Languages//--A link to writing in different languages
 * //Saving Comix//-Instructions on how to best edit and save your //Make Beliefs Comix//
 * Story Ideas-15 big ideas for comic writing
 * //Printables-//- a supply of panel templates to print out and make comics without the computer
 * //Writer Prompts//--A list of great writing ideas to get the ball rolling for your comic storyline
 * //Site Reviews//--What do others think about this site?
 * //Tell a Friend//--Want to share //Make Beliefs Comix//with a friend? Email them here.
 * //Send Feedback//--Bill Zimmerman and cohorts want to hear from you--What do you like/dislike? How could they improve this tool?
 * //Books by Bill Zimmerman//--The author of //Make Beliefs Comix// is also published; here is a list of his books which are for sale.
 * //Y////ou Can Help//--This is a place to provide a donation to keep the website going


 * How to Use (General):**
 * 1) Go to //@http://www.makebeliefscomix.com///
 * 2) Choose a character and emotion and insert your character into any panel/window
 * 3) Add talk or thought balloons and write your dialogue
 * 4) Add other characters and conversation and choose a color background
 * 5) Add objects and panel prompts to develop your comic
 * 6) Edit and make changes
 * 7) Print and email your //Make Beliefs Comix//


 * How to Use (In great detail) :**
 * 1) Go to //@http://www.makebeliefscomix.com///
 * 2) Click on the bird icon to watch the demo
 * 3) Click on "Enter Here" or "Comience Aquí" icons to enter the website
 * 4) Click on the tool you need and then click on the object in your panel for the action to occur
 * 5) Make some decisions--choose a panel (2 boxes, 3 boxes or 4 boxes)
 * 6) Choose the background color of your panel--white, blue, green, pink or grey
 * 7) Choose a character--there are 20 characters to choose from
 * 8) Choose an emotion for your character--happy, mad, sad or thoughtful
 * 9) When you choose a character, you have to have selected the box that you want that character to apply to first
 * 10) You will know that you have selected a panel because it will be highlighted in red
 * 11) Select a talk balloon or thought balloon
 * 12) Click the red arrows below the balloon to choose a size and direction for the balloon
 * 13) Balloons go left and right and come in four different sizes
 * 14) Make sure that your balloon fits within the panel frame; otherwise, your typing will go outside the panel
 * 15) Write something in the talk or thought balloon--if you want a different language, go to the navigation bar at the bottom of the page and click "Creating Comix in a Different Language." You may want to open a new window; if you navigate away from the comic you have started, it will not be saved!
 * 16) The languages offered are Spanish, French, Italian, German, Latin, and Portuguese--the forum offers allows you to use the appropriate accents marks
 * 17) Next, choose an object if you desire--there are 25 objects to choose from--for example, a bear, a present, a cellphone, etc.
 * 18) You can also choose a "Panel Prompt" which include "the next day," "to be continued," "the end," "suddenly," or you can type your own
 * 19) You have many tools that you can use--Remember that you must click on the tool first and then click on the object that you want to be affected by the tool
 * 20) You can choose to move an object, scale and object larger or smaller, bring objects to the front if they are overlapping, flip the direction your object faces, or print/email your comic.
 * 21) You can print or email your comic by either hitting the tool on the left-hand side or by selecting the "next" arrow on the right of your comic panel
 * 22) REMEMBER NOT TO HIT THE BROWSER'S "BACK" BUTTON, OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR WORK!
 * 23) Once you hit the "print/email" or "next" button, you will review your work and edit if necessary, print your comic and then email your comic.
 * 24) The website does not offer online storage of your work, so you must print or email the comic to ensure you have a copy
 * Pros:**
 * //Make Beliefs Comix// is beneficial for language learning, literacy, and reading
 * You don't have to be an artist to make an artistic //Make Beliefs Comix//
 * You can use the comix for personal entertainment or expression, a homework or classroom assignment, or just to decorate your refrigerator
 * //Make Beliefs Comix// provides a way for comic creators to write in six different world languages
 * //Make Beliefs Comix// is a free service
 * There are a diverse number of objects and characters to use
 * The tool bar allows you to really personalize your "comix"


 * Cons:**
 * If you hit the browser "back" button once you leave the comic creation page, you will lose your work
 * There are limited number of objects, images and colors that can be used on the website
 * Word bubbles and characters can go outside the panel frame, so typed text can also go outside the frame and be out of view

Zimmerman, Bill. (2010). MakeBeliefsComix.com [online] Available: http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/. (June 10, 2010).
 * References:**

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