Cartoons for Learning
Humor is a catalyst for
classroom "magic," when all the educational elements converge
and teacher and student are both positive and excited about
learning. Instructors can foster classroom "magic" through
improved communication with students by possessing a playful
attitude and a willingness to use appropriate humor
(Duffy &
Jones, 1995).
From Using Humor In The
College Classroom To Enhance Teaching Effectiveness In "Dread
Courses"
College Student Journal,
Sept,
1999 by
Neelam Kher, Susan
Molstad, Roberta
Donahue
Ready
to add more humor and laughter to your learning environment? Why
not! Following are online resources with some ideas on how to apply
them with adult learners.
http://www.inkcinct.com.au/ -
The cartoon above was taken from this Australian site. Many cartoons
do not apply in this country, but I like the Terms of Use:
"PEOPLE ELIGIBLE TO USE INKCINCT
CARTOONS FOR FREE: Members of the general public, students and non profit
community groups are welcome to use these cartoons free of charge
for personal use, in student assignments or for publication in non
profit newspapers, magazines and websites (providing they comply
with all other copyright requirements listed)."
http://www.cagle.com/teacher/ - I like their terms, also: "Teacher's are welcome to print
these cartoons out for use in their classrooms --you don't have to
ask for permission. We may give you permission to republish these
cartoons in your publications also, contact
cari@cagle.com."
http://www.cagle.com/teacher/ - Some of these may cost a little.
You'll have to read the permission statements. There are lesson
plans and lots of images to use with learners.
http://www.hasslefreeclipart.com/
- "Sick of runaround links and
pop ups? Then you've come to the right place! We have many clip
art pieces for you completely free to use with no strings attached,
so browse around and have fun! Just make sure to read our
Terms of
Usage before downloading any of this site's clip art. Oh-- and
if you really, really, really like this site, then please
link back
with a text link! You can do whatever the heck you want with these
pieces of clipart. You can place 'em on web pages, snort 'em, do
whatever-- as long as you follow these rules:
- Personal use- as imagery for
your web site, for desktop publishing projects,
greeting cards, school projects, home, etc
- Commercial use- web sites you
are building for clients, t shirt business,
mugs, graphic design projects, etc..
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/default.aspx - MS has
some of the most underused resources on the Web. You can learn most
applications by just clicking on their tutorials (listed on the
page). Many tutorials are interactive and accompanied by clear voice
instructions. If you click on the Clipart link (left margin
of the page), you'll find hundreds of listings for clipart of every
kind. Insert the word and make your choices. The following quote is
taken from the Terms of Use document that I finally ferreted for the
site:
"The Software may include certain
photographs, clip art, shapes, animations, sounds, music and video
clips that are identified in the Software for your use (together
"Media Elements"). You may copy and modify the Media Elements, and
license, display and distribute them, along with your modifications
as part of your software products and services, including your web
sites, but you are not licensed to do any of the following:
- You may not sell, license or
distribute copies of the Media Elements by themselves or as part
of any collection, product or service if the primary value of
the product or service is in the Media Elements.
- You may not grant customers of
your product or service any rights to license or distribute the
Media Elements.
- You may not license or
distribute any of the Media Elements that include
representations of identifiable individuals, governments, logos,
initials, emblems, trademarks, or entities for any commercial
purposes or to express or imply any endorsement or association
with any product, service, entity, or activity.
- You may not create obscene or
scandalous works, as defined by federal law at the time the work
is created, using the Media Elements."
http://www.politicalcartoons.com/ - Vast number of political
cartoons by wonderful artists, but there is a charge. Sign on and
you can find out what they charge so that you can put it in next
year's budget!
Washington Post Cartoon and Video Section - Just one
newspaper site. You'll have to explore this and others when you want
to have some fun. Think out of the box. How can you use the images
you see?
http://cartoonbox.slate.com/index/ is copyrighted by the
Washington Post. You'll get wonderful current events images and
cartoons here.
I have looked everywhere for a Terms of Use policy for using images. I don't
know what their policy is. Maybe you need to subscribe. However, IF
I had permission, I would have lots of uses for the comics and
cartoons in this and other sites.
Examples of possible use of cartoon
humor in adult education:
- Download or print the images. Blank out the dialogue. Let students fill in the
bubbles.
- Download or print the images. Blank out
some of the dialogue. Let students fill in the blanks. (Cloze exercise)
- Let students download different
images (right click the image -> save picture as) and create
their own dialogues. (Especially fun for ESL students)
- Discuss the messages in the
media.
- Redraw the figures and add new
messages that have local significance. Scan the images that are
made offline and create a flyer with local political cartoons.
- Discuss humor - what it is; how
it changes in different cultures; why political cartoons are so
regionally specific; why a picture is worth a thousand words.
- Your turn!
The
resources listed here are just a tiny fraction of what's out there.
There are plenty of political cartoons that are public domain that
go back to the 1800's. If you like the idea and want more resources,
do a search with these or other terms: public domain cartoons;
political cartoons; free online clipart; teaching with cartoons;
political science cartoons; public domain clipart; and more. If you
or your students want to learn how to draw and animate cartoons,
your search might include different terms: drawing with cartoons;
free cartoon tutorials; learning to cartoon; cartooning resources;
and more. Many adult learners who dropped out of school love visual
communication. Let them loose on what they love and laugh together!
