Wick Editor is a free, open-source website where learners create animations and games by layering drawings and designs using built-in editing tools. The main editor is a blank canvas, but new users can watch a series of short tutorials to learn the basic features. On the starting frame, learners upload images or use the various design tools to draw, add shapes and lines, and change colors. Then learners copy and paste the image onto the next frame or add a Tween, which lets them improve the flow of their animations. Using the Onion Skin feature, kids can see the position of objects from previous frames, taking the guesswork out of object placement and allowing for smoother animations. Other tools let learners add assets such as sliders and check boxes, and learners proficient in JavaScript can add or write their own code. When they’re satisfied with their final product, learners can save their work to the dashboard or export it as an animated GIF or MP4 video file (beta).

Some learners will gravitate toward Wick Editor’s features almost effortlessly, while others will need some time to get the hang of it. Kids can create animations of all sorts to complement classroom content. In science, ask learners to demonstrate molecular movement in different states of matter. For ELA, challenge them to re-create the setting, characters, or action from a short story or novel, and piece together class animations to teach elements of literature. Group tech-savvy kids with those who excel at art or writing, and have them collaborate on a math game or a video about history — custom code features allow users to write scripts to level up animations.

Whichever direction you decide, definitely allow for some time to get used to the platform’s different features. The tutorials, examples, and community forum are helpful at the start, but ample practice, exploration, and peer-to-peer teaching will likely provide quicker and more effective results.

At first, being presented with a blank canvas may seem overwhelming. However, even learners who have never used animation software will find it easy to create simple moving pictures. With a little time and inspiration from their peers, these early successes may encourage kids to attempt more complex designs that demonstrate more in-depth learning. Multimedia presentations are a great way to engage learners in classroom content and foster the development of higher-order thinking skills, especially when learners have to tell a story or explain their thinking.

Teachers may need to teach design skills in the planning stages of student presentations — without a clear plan, animations may be disjointed and lack focus. Teachers may also need to check in with learners regularly to monitor progress. The absence of classroom-specific tools means that kids may give the appearance of working without producing anything relevant or meaningful. And while the community features a small sampling of animations for users to view and play, it would be helpful if there were templates that learners could edit so that they wouldn’t have to start from scratch.

Website: https://www.wickeditor.com/#/

Overall User Consensus About the App

Student Engagement

With some practice and clear guidelines, most learners will jump at the chance to design and share their creations.

Curriculum and Instruction

Use of the platform encourages the development of creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and collaboration among peers. Beginners can create very simple animations and add more complexity as their skills improve.

Customer Support

A variety of short tutorials will get kids designing quickly, but it will take time and effort to create meaningful content; learners who get frustrated easily or struggle with creativity may need additional support.