Animation In Education (Academics)

We are always looking for new and better ways to educate the young. Research suggests when children are having fun, they tend to learn better. It’s even scientifically proven that retention of information is higher when it is communicated using both visual and verbal communication. 

It feels like animation as a training medium offers exciting possibilities for meeting the needs of 21st century learners. The use of animation instruction can significantly enhance student learning if properly designed and implemented. 

Current educational use of animation suggests two main roles in learning.

• First purpose of animation in academics is to fulfill a cognitive function. In this role, animations are intended to support students’ cognitive processes that ultimately result in them understanding the subject matter. Animation can be used to make very exciting and fun animations into which education and training can easily be incorporated. 
• Secondly, as an Affective learning tool that attracts attention, engages the learner, and sustains motivation. Such Affective Animation Training is not focused on facilitating comprehension of any academic subject matter itself and often portrays activities that are interactive, creative, fun and motivational.

Young people are fascinated by animation and animated stories and they enjoy the opportunity to create their own. The creative potential of animation is enormous, and integrating animation activities into the school curriculum offers the possibility of tapping this potential to meet a range of educational objectives.

Benefits of Animation as an Affective Learning tool

• Emphasizes development of students’ skills and understanding of creating and responding.
• Enables students to apply Imagination & Rational Thinking.
• Enables students to invent and explore multiple solutions to a problem.
• Enables students to understand the value of reflection and critical judgment in creative work.
• Facilitates positive peer interaction, including receiving and using feedback.
• Encourages self-motivation to create and problem solve.
• Uses artistic literacy as a natural enhancement to learning in other content areas.
• Fosters positive attitudes toward Art & Animation.
• Introduces career possibilities.