Comics in Education | Notable Benefits for Students

February 10th, 2021 by Marc Comments

There is no denying the comics offer an amazing source of entertainment. They are loved by people of all ages as they tend to provide recreation.

Recently, however, focus has started to shift from the entertaining aspect of comics, to a possible role in education. Educators argue that comics carry a unique potential to improve learning and specific academic skills. There is evidence suggesting that, when properly designed and deployed, comics can enhance the creativity of learners and promote enhanced learning opportunities. Comics come with amazing visuals that can work as an exceptional tool to boost reading and writing skills, while offering motivation to learn. Here are some reasons why it makes sense to incorporate comics education.

  • Improves Literacy Skills

We all know that many people find comics interesting and addictive. Research shows that they also help to improve people’s literacy skills. This means that students who are struggling to improve their reading and writing skills can benefit immensely from the use of comics. The materials combine interesting visuals with text, appealing to students with different learning styles.

In terms of reading skills, comics offer narrative experiences to learners who are just getting started with reading. The materials can also be beneficial for second language acquisition. The stories are often well formulated, with carefully selected characters and themes. The images used support the text, allowing students to obtain important contextual cues for words whose meanings they don’t fully understand.

When it comes to writing skills, there are many students who are able to read, but struggle when it comes to writing. Some of them are able to come up with ideas, but lack the written language to put their ideas into coherent text. Comics help such students by teaching sequences, as well as how to create stories with beginnings, twists, and logical ends.

  • Improves Self-Esteem

Another notable benefit of comics in education relates to self-esteem. There are learners who don’t appreciate the importance of reading because they don’t find the processes satisfying. The outcome is often reduced self-esteem, as those affected may not want to read at all. In the end, they assume that they are weak readers. These students tend to get frustrated and perform poorly in their academics and choose to order assignments from professional essay writing services online.

This does not have to be the case as comics have been shown to help with improving self-esteem. If the learners find comics enjoyable, reading them can help with enhanced language skills as well as improved engagement. In other words, comics can be the first step towards developing a positive reading culture.

  • Boosts Creativity and Imagination

Comics are also becoming increasingly popular in the education sector because of their ability to boost imagination and creativity. According to research, students who read comics frequently show better storytelling skills, as well as improved critical thinking and creativity. This is even more common in situations where comics are only based on images, without speeches from characters. Such speechless comics make the reading experience interesting as the reader is expected to create imaginations regarding what the characters are saying. Pictures that are not restrained by words give students the space to interpret the context in different ways, based on their understanding of the situation. Learners’ imaginations flow freely as they go through the comics.

  • Facilitates Brain Development

Comics offer much needed exercise for the brain. By reading more, students work on their analytical skills. Research also shows that children who love comics from a young age tend to demonstrate better cognitive function compared to their peers. They become better readers, strengthening the neural connections associated with reading, comprehension, and analysis. Since most comics are based on stories, reading them can improve a person’s perception and thinking.

  • Can Be Fun and Versatile

The most obvious reason that can be given for including comics in education is related to their versatility and engaging nature. Some concepts can be very boring when delivered using conventional methods. While most students already find comics interesting, including them in academia to explain concepts and teach skills can be very effective.

It is true that most tools used to deliver educational content tend to be dull and predictable. Comics offer an engaging and unpredictable option. There are different types of comics created on a variety of topics. When students start getting bored with worded material, they can benefit from illustrations on comics. This way, comics help with improving student-initiated learning as well as engagement with course material.

Comics and graphic novels come with amazing features that can be beneficial in today’s learning environment. The materials help with improving reading and writing skills, as well as creativity and engagement.

Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….