Conflict Analysis via Toontastic
by Joan Young

Goal

To analyze a conflict at school using a story arc (via Toontastic) to describe that conflict.

Materials

An iPad per pair/trio of learners with Toomtastic downloaded and installed on each iPad.

Procedures

• Learners are directed to compose Toontastic cartoons/stories about conflicts that happened on the playground or anywhere at school. They need to follow the story arc provided in the app, (pictured below) using the stages and music to enhance their narration of the story.
• They are to work in pairs and trios to devise their stories: choosing the scene, main characters, setup, conflict, challenge, resolution and music.

The Results

Learners reported that they really enjoyed working together to develop these stories. They devised conflicts about excluding and including peers, arguing about fairness on the playing field, and resolving everyday issues on the playground. Of course there is no scientific way to measure how this impacted their "real" conflicts, but I can say that it gave them practice in analyzing precursors to conflict and how they build into bigger events before they resolve them. (http://allkidscanflourish.blogspot.com/2013/01/using-toontastic-to-build-social.html)