The Creative Science Classroom

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A typology of browser-based media design software. For some of the most useful programs I have created flipped training videos linked below.

On this page you will find links to videos that will train you how to use browser-based media design software for science media creation. If you want to create a graphic novel using Photopea to color line art drawings, or make a computer game using Scratch, or design a 3D model using SculptGL then this is the place to learn how. I just ask one thing: once you have created your science media project, please share it with me so that I can describe it in my doctoral dissertation. For teachers, this site will save you the trouble and time of having to train students how to use the software yourself. Check out the Blogs page to see examples of student-created science media projects.

Links to Software Training Videos:

Photopea Training Videos:

The following videos explain the basics of Photopea, a program similar to Adobe Photoshop, including how to add color gradients and images to a line art drawing, how to create text, how to use layers and layer masks to build collages, and how to eliminate distortion caused by taking photographs at an angle.

How to color line art, along with Photopea basics.
How to use the type tool in Photopea to make memes and other projects.
How to create multiple layers in Photopea and use layer masks to blend photos together into a collage.
Using Photopea to undistort an image taken from an angle.

Inkscape Training Videos:

The following videos will train you to use Inkscape, a free vector illustration program similar to Adobe Illustrator that is great for creating precise diagrams and schematics.

This video introduces how Bézier curves work and demonstrates how to work with shapes and use the pen tool.

Canva Training Videos:

The following videos will train you to use Canva for desktop publishing (DTP) applications such as creating brochures, newsletters, and other documents with text, images, and layout design.

Easel.ly Training Videos:

Easel.ly and Piktochart are two programs that can create infographics, like a poster on steroids with data, charts, images, and text.

StoryBoardThat Training Videos:

For those that don’t want to draw and colorize their own graphic novels or comic strips, digital tools like StoryBoardThat and MakeBeliefsComics allow you to choose characters, poses, colors, expressions, and other items to create your own comic strips.

We Video Training Videos:

When you need to edit images, narration, video clips, and other files into a video without needing all the bells and whistles of commercial programs like Adobe Premiere Pro, We Video is a great alternative. These videos will teach you how to use it.

Animaker Training Videos:

When a simple static slideshow isn’t enough, several browser-based programs are designed to give you something more, including Animaker, Powtoons, and Voki. The following videos show you how.

Prezi Training Video:

If the type of presentation you want to make is one that follows a concept map and zooms in on topics, then Prezi is your software of choice. This video shows you how to use it.

SculptGL Training Videos:

3D modeling does not have to be complicated or have a steep learning curve. SculptGL begins with a virtual ball of clay and simple tools for modeling, stretching, coloring, and exporting your models. These videos will show you the basics of modeling and texturing in 3D and how to take your models into Adobe Mixamo for rigging and animation.

The basics of 3D modeling using SculptGL starting with a virtual ball of clay and adding details and additional objects.
Adding textures to models in SculptGL, then exporting the model to Adobe Photoshop to convert the texture into a UV map and saving the model and texture as an FBX file in Clara.io. It is then loaded into Adobe Mixamo to add rigging and animations for use in augmented reality or other applications.

TinkerCAD Training Videos:

TinkerCAD is another online 3D modeling program designed with educators and students in mind, with excellent class management features to track your student passwords and files. TinkerCAD allows you to assemble a variety of simple primitive shapes and use Boolean commands to use objects as holes. These videos show you how to use it and move models back and forth between TinkerCAD and SculptGL.

Click on this video to learn the basics of 3D modeling in Tinkercad, a free, online program for Computer Aided Design that allows precise alignment of objects and Boolean commands. Working with both Tindercad and SculptGL, you can create and texture any 3D shape you desire.

SketchUp Training Videos:

SketchUp Free allows you to model architecture and buildings with easy-to-use features and controls, even export your models to Google scenes. These videos show you the basics and how to move between other 3D programs as you create science media content.

Clara.io Training Videos:

Clara.io was a free online 3D scene building package that allowed modeling, texturing, rigging, and animation all online. It was capable of bringing in and animating pre-rigged characters from Make Human, Adobe Mixamo, and other sources. Unfortunately, Clara.io was discontinued as of Dec. 31, 2022.

3D Workflows Video:

Working between 3D applications is a complex process and this video shows you five workflows for moving between 3D programs from basic modeling for creating 3D images to Augmented Reality with Adobe Aero.

This video works through five pathways for integrating 3D modeling tools to create 3D images, humanoid characters, augmented reality, visualizing scientific data, and creating interactive science programs.

Scratch Training Videos:

Scratch is a game and animation development program created by MIT to teach the basics of multimedia authoring and computer programming. Using blocks of code, even novice programmers can create linear animations between sprites and interactive games. These videos show you how to get started using code bricks to build object-oriented interactions.

This video teaches you how to use Scratch for creating linear animations between two sprites, including adding text balloons, timing, loops, and other basic coding techniques. It discusses the Scratch interface and theater metaphor, and how to import and use Sprites.

In this video, you will learn how to program Scratch for interactivity including button rollover effects, random number generators, variables, if-then statements, loops, and other structures to create interactive quizzes and games. It also shows how to use Photopea to create interface elements such as the rollover states of buttons.

Wick Editor Training Videos:

Wick Editor re-creates the frame-based animation and interactivity of Adobe Flash, allowing you to create linear animations, games, interactive buttons, and much more. These videos show you how to use it for your science media creations.

This first Wick Editor tutorial teaches basic frame-by-frame and tweened animations.

In this second video for learning Wick Editor, you will learn how to create the three states for buttons (Up, Over, and Down) and how to program buttons and timeline commands inside Wick Editor, including how to pause the playback and jump to different frames in the timeline using coding. Examples of two projects will be demonstrated, and how you can use Wick Editor to demonstrate your mastery of STEM concepts in your science, technology, engineering, and math classes.

This video shows you how to create button states and program interactivity in Wick Editor.

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