For months, I’ve been searching for a good, simple online drawing tool for students. (When ImaginationCubed ceased to exist, I switched to ArtPad, which is no longer available either!)

My criteria for the tool included:

1. -a simple interface
   

2. -some built-in options like stamps and shapes
   

3. - the ability to easily share the finished picture electronically with the teacher, parents, and others.
   

I’m SO excited to announce that I’ve finally found it:

drawz it

How to use it:

You don’t really need a lot of directions, as it is pretty self explanatory. Just send your students there and turn them loose!

Here are a few basic tips:

1. 1.Go to: www.drawzit.com
   
   

   

   
   
   

2. 2.Use the tools in the upper right corner to draw, paint, and add shapes, stamps, and text.
   
   Note - At this point, there is no UNDO button, so be careful. This website is still in a beta version, so hopefully they will add an undo button soon!
   
   

3. 3.Use the select tool (the one that looks like a cheez-it) to resize and rotate things.
   
   

4. 4.Click the “Add picture” tool to bring in a picture from the web or from your computer’s hard drive.
   
   

Here’s an example of a drawing done with the drawz it tool. I wish I could give credit to the artist, but I found it in the gallery and it doesn’t identify the creator:

Sharing/Saving the picture:

1. 1.In the bottom right corner:
   - Enter a name for your drawing.
   - Decide if you want it to be submitted to the public gallery.
   - Click the “Share it” button.
   
   

   

   
   
   
2. 2.Use the provided options to:
   - get a url and/or embed code for the drawing
     (Use the code to share student’s work via a blog, wiki, or webpage!)
   - email the pic to someone (maybe the teacher or a parent)
   - download/save the drawing to your computer
   - easily add it to a variety of different websites
   
   

   

   
   

Using drawz it in the classroom

Students can:

1. -Draw and label the parts of an insect/flower/volcano/heart/etc.
   

2. -Draw a scene from a story.
   

3. -Draw a new character and then write a story about him/her.
   

4. -Create illustrations for a story they’ve written.
   

5. -Show their work on a long division problem.
   

6. -Make bar graphs using the grid (upper left corner) and the stamps.
   

7. -Draw a scene that represents a historic event.
   

8. -Annotate a photo.
   

Please add your own ideas for using the tool by clicking the “Add a comment” link below.

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