While drawing on elements of the Manga format of comic – in essence “Knowledge Ninja” has its own unique character. It is four pages long, has about 26 frames, is colourful, and gets its message across with short punchy sentences that are visually supported. The storyline aims to inform its reader on the services and facilities of the Library primarily. A secondary objective is to provide a tool for improving the student’s reading and understanding of English. Today’s student has choices and preferences. It’s a battle of stimuli to get their attention and immersion. Given a choice between a book full of monochromatic text, or being visually or audibly stimulated with something that saves time, the student will generally prefer the quicker route.
“Knowledge Ninja” is innovative in several ways. While paper is considered an old format, in the shape of a comic it appeals to a generation of students that reads Manga comics, and grew up technology and visually exciting media, thus the comic medium has appeal. Today’s student has choices and preferences. It’s a battle of stimuli to get their attention and immersion. Given a choice between a book full of monochromatic text, or being visually or audibly stimulated with something that saves time, the student will generally prefer the quicker route. So, while the results are not in yet on whether “Knowledge Ninja” works as a teaching tool, the feedback from Faculty has been quite positive. Elizabeth Rainey, the ALZ Coordinator said “The Manga initiative was another first class idea from the ADMC library, highlighting both the potential for blended learning in this genre and also the multi-cultural nature of the college population. Abu Dhabi’s central geographical position ought properly to be reflected by an inclusive range of media of instruction and I particularly enjoyed portraying my Sensei Elizabeth persona. It compliments the activities of the ALZ perfectly.”
Peter Waters is an amateur photographer who loves nothing more than driving around on a weekend looking for interesting and beautiful scenes to capture with his digital camera. For a while now Peter has been converting some of these beautiful photographs into “cartoons”, using a free online web application called “Befunky” (www.befunky.com). These images are then used as screensavers in the Library. Using this existing ability, Stephen and Peter decided to experiment in creating a comic. A script and storyboard were created, two student “actors” were acquired with the kind assistance of Arthur Wong, the ADMC Alumni Coordinator, and all photographs were taken on a quiet afternoon in the Library at the end of Semester using their own digital cameras. A second issue is in the works for release in January 2010, and thereafter hopefully on a Semester basis. Several departments have shown an interest in creating their own comic, as well as some other HCT Libraries and ILC’s. While Peter and Stephen can’t spend more time in the comic business, they gladly offer their assistance in helping others with their own comics!
“Knowledge Ninja” is innovative in several ways. While paper is considered an old format, in the shape of a comic it appeals to a generation of students that reads Manga comics, and grew up technology and visually exciting media, thus the comic medium has appeal. Today’s student has choices and preferences. It’s a battle of stimuli to get their attention and immersion. Given a choice between a book full of monochromatic text, or being visually or audibly stimulated with something that saves time, the student will generally prefer the quicker route. So, while the results are not in yet on whether “Knowledge Ninja” works as a teaching tool, the feedback from Faculty has been quite positive. Elizabeth Rainey, the ALZ Coordinator said “The Manga initiative was another first class idea from the ADMC library, highlighting both the potential for blended learning in this genre and also the multi-cultural nature of the college population. Abu Dhabi’s central geographical position ought properly to be reflected by an inclusive range of media of instruction and I particularly enjoyed portraying my Sensei Elizabeth persona. It compliments the activities of the ALZ perfectly.”
Peter Waters is an amateur photographer who loves nothing more than driving around on a weekend looking for interesting and beautiful scenes to capture with his digital camera. For a while now Peter has been converting some of these beautiful photographs into “cartoons”, using a free online web application called “Befunky” (www.befunky.com). These images are then used as screensavers in the Library. Using this existing ability, Stephen and Peter decided to experiment in creating a comic. A script and storyboard were created, two student “actors” were acquired with the kind assistance of Arthur Wong, the ADMC Alumni Coordinator, and all photographs were taken on a quiet afternoon in the Library at the end of Semester using their own digital cameras. A second issue is in the works for release in January 2010, and thereafter hopefully on a Semester basis. Several departments have shown an interest in creating their own comic, as well as some other HCT Libraries and ILC’s. While Peter and Stephen can’t spend more time in the comic business, they gladly offer their assistance in helping others with their own comics!