Animation In the Classroom

1. Animation In the Classroom By Candice Elliott

2. What is Animation? • According to DJ Nicke, animation is “the illusion of movement through the persistence of vision. • You may be asking yourself, “What does that really mean?” • In the simplest terms, it means that “a series of still images are changed over time to give the illusion of movement” (Nicke, 2009).

3. Animation Evolution • Animation began in children’s toys and flip books. Also, the linear style of comic strips helped to further the process of animation. • The creation of film or movies lead to the creation of actual animated films. The first animated films were created with stop motion animation, which involves the creator stopping the camera before they add/change props or movements. • Eventually, animated film began to take a structure similar to feature films. This lead to actual film companies with several animators working on projects. The style/creation of animation began to evolve over time to cell animation and later digital animation (Katz, 2013).

4. Why Should We Include Animation in the Classroom? • 1. Because some people struggle with the traditional format of writing, animation could allow some students to express their knowledge without worrying about writing conventions, spelling and grammar. • 2. Animation allows students to have collaboration opportunities regardless of their knowledge and/or communication abilities. Therefore, it would be a great way to integrate ESL students into the classroom. • 3. It allows students to be creative without having to worry about their drawing abilities. • 4. Animation can teach students new technological skills and utilizes core content knowledge. Some animation programs require students to apply math skills to create their characters. • 5. It’s a more interesting way for students to present their information to the class (Bates, 2019).

5. Impacting Learning • In the past, we have used power points and hand outs to help students retain knowledge. However, as technology evolves and change, so do our students. • People often remember the events or ideas that they viewed in a film before they remember the ideas they heard in a lecture (Kuchimanchi, 2013). • Therefore, it makes sense to use animation to grab a student’s attention. • However, the animation does not just have to be created by the teacher or the student. It can actually be utilized by both at varying times, which could lead to higher levels of engagement (Desai, 2018).

6. Animation Tools You May Want to Explore • Animwork • GoAnimate for Schools • Devolver • Voki • PowToon • Make It Share It • Wideo • Mixeek • Myths and Legends (Pajaron, 2014)

7. References • Bates, L. (2019). Five real benefits of using animation in the classroom. Retrieved from https://www.fractuslearning.com/animation-in-the-classroom/ • Desai, A. (2018). Animation in education. Retrieved from http://www.cgpundit.com/animation-in-education/ • Katz, K. (2013). Video essay: History of animation. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dhTeIldYyI&feature=youtu.be • Kuchimanchi, B. (2013). Role of animation in student’s learning. Retrieved from http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/367-role-of-animation-in-students-learning • Nicke, D. (2009). What is animation? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6lLVDGF6kc&feature=youtu.be • Pajaron, T. (2014). Fifty resources to use animation as a teaching tool. Retrieved from https://classroom-aid.com/2014/01/22/50-resources-to-use-animation-as-a-teaching-tool/