1. Drag and Drop
by Christine Brown
Using cartoon animations to
address UDL networks

2. Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia refers to difficulties in writing. According to the National Center for
Learning Disabilities, warning signs can be:
• In Early Writers
– Tight, awkward pencil grip and body position
– Avoiding writing or drawing tasks
– Trouble forming letter shapes
– Inconsistent spacing between letters or words
– Poor understanding of uppercase and lowercase letters
– Inability to write or draw in a line or within margins
– Tiring quickly while writing
•
In Young Students
– Illegible handwriting
– Mixture of cursive and print writing
– Saying words out loud while writing
– Concentrating so hard on writing that comprehension of what's written is
missed
– Trouble thinking of words to write
– Omitting or not finishing words in sentences

3. UDL
Using drag and drop animations, all three UDL
networks can be addressed to help struggling
writers.
-Affective – stimulates interest
-Recognition – presenting information in
different ways
-Strategic – differentiating the ways students can
express what they know

4. How can cartoon animations help?
Ways to help: provide alternatives written
expression through
- comic strips to organize thoughts
- animated movies to tell the story
- Visual reports through cartoons
The next few slides will give a variety of options
for drag and drop programs.

5. Cartoon with Voice
• Xtranormal
Program allows users to
-drag and drop backgrounds
and characters
-can add sound via text or
recording own voice
-sign up required/free for basic
limited usage
-has teacher/student area for
cost
Xtranormal

6. Cartoon with emotions
• Zimmer twins
-Drag and drop
backgrounds, character
actions and changes for
character emotions
-No sound but great for
sentence development
-Sign up not required but
needed if saving.
Zimmertwins

7. Drag and Drop – comic strip
• ToonDoo
-Drag and drop a wide variety
of features
-No sound but students can
create their own characters
-Sign up required but free
-great for organizing thoughts
and teacher presentations
-numerous other tools – create
books, drawings, etc.
ToonDoo

8. Drag and Drop – Elaborate themed
• Kerpoof
-Drag and drop by themes
-animate objects, add text,
songs, timeline usage
-FREE Sign up for teachers to
access scholastic areas and
be able to create free
student accounts
-other activities available
Kerpoof

9. Drag and Drop - Superhero
• Super Action Comic
Maker
-Click and place
backgrounds, characters,
and bubble text
-Can adjust actions and
scale of objects
-limited to six frame comic
strips
-ease of use is very basic
-No sign up required
Superhero Comics

10. Additional Reminders
Although a variety of technology tools will help
students with writing difficulties:
-Don’t eliminate actual “writing” assignments –
students still need the skills with pencil and
paper
-Many programs online are free and accessible
for students.
-The examples listed in this Powerpoint are just
a few of the animation programs available.