Peer Review

PicMonkey

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Reviewed:: Feb 3, 2014 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: PicMonkey joins the ranks of web-based image editors with a free and easy-to-use interface that results in stunning photos. PicMonkey offers basic sizing and image correction functions, along with powerful filters, stickers and banners, text boxes and collages. Images are saved to your own computer, so there's no need to worry about privacy and security of your files. Though the majority of the program is free, there are a selection of additional filters, effects and graphics that are accessible with a pro account (which costs about $30/year).
Type of Material:: Development Tool
Recommended Uses:: At its most basic level, PicMonkey can be used for editing image assets quickly and easily. However, the collage tool can be leveraged to create learning objects such as flash cards, bingo cards, and presentation elements.
Technical Requirements:: Flash player 10.2 or higher
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The site allows users to perform basic image manipulations in the creation of media elements for a variety of uses, to include web outputs, printed works, and resources for interactive elements.
Target Student Population:: Students in elementary, middle school, high school, college, and graduate school art or photography classes would be interested in using PicMonkey. The general public and instructors can also benefit from using the application.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: A basic knowledge of how to upload images is required. Prior knowledge of color theory and photography terminology will make some of the more advanced effects a bit easier to understand and subsequently control.

Content Quality

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Strengths:: PicMonkey's elegant and engaging interface encourages users to play, and with stunning results. Lackluster images are improved with the click of a mouse, all the while demonstrating basic principles of color theory and layout design. Though the learning curve is minimal, the program supports users with feedback on their selections. Users wanting to learn new image editing techniques can visit the PicMonkey blog for punchy tutorials, such as editing headshots for use as avatars and setting photo rights for pictures shared on Google Images.
Concerns:: There are limited written instructions. Some of the features require an upgrade to a fee based application which costs $2.75 a month as of 12/05/2013. For some of the advanced filters based on old cameras, it might be nice to offer an example of what can be done with that filter, and potentially give a brief description of the effect (i.e. explain what a Holga camera is and why it effects the light in the photo in that way).

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: The focus of the program is readily evident and easily achieved - to make ho-hum photos into stunning masterpieces. The app rewards experimentation and exploration, two traits that are prevalent amongst 21st century learners, that will be fostered with the use of PicMonkey. Given that a multitude of disciplines have assignments that intersect with multimedia, this program could easily be used for a wide-variety of lessons. Students will be able to edit photos using different effects such as adding blush or erasing wrinkles and create art projects using PicMonkey. Instructor can introduce the application to accompany a lesson on the types of photo-editing techniques. PicMonkey can be used to demonstrate mastery of a photo editing skills.
Concerns:: None.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: While other image editing programs rely on showering users with a multitude of powerful tools, PicMonkey takes things a step forward by displaying the myriad effects in a streamlined interface. Images can be brought in from your computer, or from online sites such as Dropbox, Facebook or Flickr. Because the program leverages an on-trend design, it'll serve as an attractive alternative to students looking for an image editor without the cost of Photoshop.
Concerns:: A tutorial of the different available features would have been helpful. Clicking on the effect on the drop down menu does not automatically apply the effect to the photo because additional steps are needed which may not be obvious to first time users. The icons indicating different features were not clear to me but hovering over each icon reveals the name of the icon.

Other Issues and Comments:: PicMonkey gives users an incredible bang for their buck, allowing advanced manipulations for free, and a multitude of exciting effects for about $2 a month. It'd be cool to create a user community of folks sharing their fine creations, but the payoff of editing your images into pixel glory might be good enough.
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