How to Create Captivating Images for Your TinyTap Activities

By Moses Sia

 

One concern when introducing screens in learning is that young learners will lose touch with real things and only deal with the virtual and digital. The two are not mutually exclusive. Instead, when paired well, digital tools enrich the learning experience.

 

Using TinyTap, instead of using digital illustrations, I have used sketches, collages and real objects.

 

 

I have attempted to create a sample of what it might look like in An ABC Meal, a game I created on TinyTap.

 

 

How to Create a Custom Image

If the actual objects needed for a scene can be found, it would make it so much easier to use a good photo of that. If not, a learner could certainly draw and color, or look for images in magazines, cut these out and assemble their images before taking a photo for use in their TinyTap creation.

 

For the ABC Meal game, I have also created a reusable “backdrop” to set new scenes such as the table, fridge, cupboard and garden. Again, something that could be considered by any teacher.

 

In this game, I have also used a photo from a magazine to create the main character, and made the arms changeable so as to get different poses, much like a puppet. For a very personalized game, teachers can use a student’s photo, and her/his name can be used as the main character. Wouldn’t that be very unforgettable for players?

 

What are other ideas that could use this approach? How do you feel about such an approach?

 

Even when we decide to use digital images in TinyTap, we can involve students when creating.

 

There are also many digital drawing tools which even young students can handle well. One of my favorite would be Paper53.

 

 

 

To start, I highly recommend the use of the sponge tool. In the Paper53 tool box, swipe to the right to see this tool which looks like a paint roller. When you draw a shape, it fills with colour right away and after that other drawing tools can be used to add details and shades.

 

I used this when creating Love Bugs.

 

 

When you import the drawings into TinyTap, the Remove White feature is a cool tool to use when composing a few drawings into one image. Double tap on the drawing and you will find this tool. This way, you can create a background and then add various characters.

It’s wonderful when young learners are able to add their own drawings into the game, and there are many ways to do it, including directly drawing using the TinyTap drawing tools.

 

Moses Sia is an educator and lifelong learner. He creates interactive lessons for kids and runs TinyTap workshops for teachers. Check out his TinyTap collection.