How Can Animation and Interaction Be Used to Influence Learning and Teaching - Dissertation Example

? Submitted ________________ Submitted by: ________________ Education Topic: How animation & interaction be used to influence learning and teaching. Method: Survey Pages: 24 Date: ________________ Contents Chapter Topic Page # Abstract 3 1. Motivation Techniques 4 - 5 Definition Types Theories 2. SB Learning & Teaching 6 - 9 Kinesthetic Audio Visual Experience Audio & Visual 3. E-learning & teaching 10 - 16 Animation Types of animation Interfaces Multimedia 4. Research Methodology 17 Questionnaire Survey Report 18 - 19 5. Data analysis 20 - 22 Tables / Calculations Graphs 6. Conclusion 23 7. References 24 Abstract Use of computer technology in education, improves the standard of dispensation among learners. It is proved from the research that the majority of the learners and teachers love to use gadgets like computers and other communication devices, due to their effectiveness. The teachers also prefer animation techniques for teaching which improves the quality of teaching with less physical effort, and avoiding mess of papers. Teachers use it for preparing lecture such as on slides, 3 D presentations, drawing objects on screen, with the help of specific computer software which provide excellent features & interactive environment to create/generate idea, update, and develop teaching material with less effort. In the same way the children also like use of these gadgets for learning and practicing which improve their learning ability & understand in a fast manner through illustration such as, pictures, cartoons, objects on screen. The main factor of adopting it in the education is the increasing concern of electronic media and different electronic gadgets in our daily life. Animation & Interaction are the best sources for developing interest among children students in order to achieve / attain effective knowledge and entertainment which help to retain the knowledge due to better presentation along with valuable related exercises. Research shows that what ever is the age group, almost all concerns shows their preferences are high with regard to the use of different electronic devices. The best institute always focuses on use of latest gadgets in their institutes for teaching and they have been working with talented teachers to help their students to achieve his or her goal, because teaching methods enhance the capabilities of learners from early age to university level. One good teacher produces several good generations. Chapter 1 MOTIVATION INTRODUCTION In this chapter you will learn about the techniques which are being used to motivate the students in the classroom and far-learning programs. Motivational technique leaves good impression while giving out knowledge to the learners. Its theories show how single technique could be used to motivate single group of learners. It has been found to be an important element in children, younger, elder & special learner (handy caped or abnormal). Motivation may be rooted in a basic need to minimize physical pain and maximize pleasure. School or college experts regard it as a big social group or a community for learners. DEFINITION The word motivation is the combination of motive-- means Object, purpose, or reason & action-- means to act or react upon purpose or achievement. In education, the term Motivation is always refers as a procedure that extracts, controls, and maintains certain behaviors of the students for learning. It is a group of phenomena which may concern with the nature of an individual's behavior, the strength of the behavior, and the determination of the behavior. All the human beings are not motivated with the same procedure but it varies from person to person and from age group to age group, due to some natural, physiological, behavioral, cognitive and social factors. Each factor leaves different impact on the person’s personality. Every department applies the different techniques to motivate their associates or users. In education the teacher apply such technique from which their students learn maximum. TYPES Intrinsic or internal Motivation: First and fundamental kind of motivation occurs naturally & internally without any interruption of external pressure or source. Brain produces such signals for motivation, from which the person become agreed to do something their self. In this way, the person does not require any kind of external motivation. Feelings such as hungry, thirsty, happy, sad, and tired etc are the common examples of internal & natural motivation and then person take an action against such feeling. Extrinsic or external motivation: It occurs from out side sources or through pressure. Actually, the teachers create such environment for motivation, inside the classroom or at any learning area, from which learners become easily motivated for learning. Extrinsic motivation theories are always applied for external motivation only. Following are the kinds of extrinsic motivation, called motivation theories. THEORIES Situational motivation: Teachers motivate their students for learning, according to the environmental situation. It shows utmost positive results in motivation and learning. Physiological motivation: Teachers motivate their students to learn from your physical presence and for that teacher keep them engage in physical activities, such as, in sports or in experiments for preparing some models in the labs. Behavioral motivation: Teacher motivates their students for learning with their kind and loving behavior, good manners or doing something good before learner, from which learner become motivate. Cognitive motivation: Teacher motivates the students through sounds and images, recalling information, making associations between different pieces of information. Keep them engaged for Quiz programs & MCQs type tests for learning. Psychological motivation: Teacher motivates the students mentally & emotionally using worst words or deeds, give them physical punishments for learning. Social motivation: it is a progressive improvement of the individual in grasping the principles and values of the culture heritage. Teacher motivates the students in the form of groups, in collective, or in community for learning. Socialization helps in building the character and personality of the individuals. Parents may be involved to motivate their child for learning (Theories of Motivation in Education | eHow.com). Chapter 2 SENSATIONAL BEGINNING EDUCATION Education is the consciously controlled process which causes the social mobility and changes the behavior of the children and also behavior of the society to which they belong. SB education is the first stage of learning and teaching with amazing, exciting, thrilling, and breathtaking accessories from which children learn quickly and easily. In fact, it is a fun for children, and children like it very much in getting knowledge in their schools. Every thing, which they see in their surrounding, is also the source of learning for them. For example, children’s furniture in his/her room, bath toys, and gifts are the basic accessories for learning. Parents, teachers, and all associates are the educators for children. SB learning starts from childhood (2-6years of age). Schools are such institutions where education is imparted under a regular and well organized program, called time-table, in which time is fixed for all activities. Schools & family both perform similar activities. The Teachers always struggle to find out new methods of teaching through which their students pay full attention inside the class room (www.sensationalbeginnings.com). TECHNIQUES The steps or methods used to learn and teach to the children, called learning & teaching techniques respectively. SB schools are not only using various kinds of physical and non electronic tools, such as colorful blocks, toys, jewelry, costumes, and books for learning but they use computers and other electronic devices for learning them through animation. These accessories/tools are very common, supportive and easy to learn for children and teacher can teach them easily. Table #1 show the list of aids use to learn children. In spite of use of animation, following types of learning & teaching theories are common in schools. 1. Learning with Kinesthetic (touch) In this technique, the children learn through experience directly related with their feelings. The brain receives incentives from inside or outside of the body and a child learns with the help of natural senses. They use their ear (for hearing), eyes (for viewing), hands (for touching), and nose (for smell). Primary (Beginner’s) schools have been using this technique because it provides physical satisfaction and more pleasure to the learner and teacher. Playing games, dancing on favorite song, delivering a lecture before group of the students, and putting things on proper places are the common examples of this technique. These methods improve the physical ability in children. Kinesthetic learners may become good players, stage performers, and scientists in future. 2. Learning with Audio (hearing) The learners use only audio (hearing) aids/tools for learning. Audio learner can learn easily when teachers deliver the lesson in the class room or when listener listen the lecture on CD because they only focus on listening. These listeners catch the points quickly what is being said by teacher. Audio tapes, microphones, computer CDs, radio, and mobile phones are the common aids for learning. Auditory learners may have the ability to determine correct & true meaning of words by listening audible signs like changes in quality. Audio learner get enjoy from music. They read slowly but not afraid from viva voice exams. 3. Learning with Visual (seeing) Catalina Bixler Catalina Bixler's journalism career began in 1970. After five years as a publishing teacher, Bixler then published/edited NATO's U.S. 5th Army and 17th AF "Wiesbaden Post" newspaper. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in bilingual-journalism/community development from Redlands University, and a Master of Arts in adult education/training from the University of Phoenix. The learners learn from objects through seeing. Visionary learners use different kind of charts, lists, graphs, tables, and pictures for learning as a tool. Human eye is actually composed of many parts that work together. It receive visual image from out side and focus it properly, then send the message to the brain to remember things. The light also plays vital roll in viewing because things could be viewed clearly and learned very quickly & properly. Visual learners need quiet time for study, underline the important things, make lists, draw the pictures, and use various colors for learning. 4. Learning with Experience (practical) It is familiar model technique in education. The learners use personal experience and shows keen interest in designing and developing new models which keep them satisfied. Creative and logical learners always use this technique for learning. According to the Kolb’s experiential learning theory (Kolb, 1984) that “the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Knowledge results from the combination of grasping and transforming experience.” Kolb’s experiential theory presents a cycle of four elements: (http://serc.carleton.edu) Concrete Experience Reflective Observation Abstract Conceptualization Active Experimentation This learning cycle involves both concrete components (steps 1 and 4) and conceptual components (steps 2 and 3), which require a variety of cognitive and affective behaviors. 5. Learning with Audio & Visual The learners combine audio & visual aids/tools for learning because these tools improve their quality of learning and teachers can make their presentations very attractive, dynamic, and effective. A-V technique---called computer technology based technique, which offers potential for teachers and learners of new generation. A-V Aids: Computers, Televisions, Projectors, Pre-recorded computer made lectures, Educational CDs (Science, animals, plants, planets), and documentary films are the best sources for learning. A-V programs Microsoft-Word: supports in creating documents, inserting pictures, tables, symbols, word art, and stylish fonts in the document. Microsoft- Excel: support in solving complex calculations, creating various types of graphs Microsoft-PowerPoint: supports in designing static or dynamic animated presentations. These presentations attract the viewers for reading and learning. Windows-Movie maker: Microsoft win-movie maker supports in preparing movies Or video clips recorded through digital-camera or through mobile phone. (The Audio Learning Style | eHow.com) Table # 1---List of aids in SB learning Material Example Type Dress up & costumes For girls: Fairy dress, butterfly dress, nurse’s dress, beautiful angle dress Visionary & activity For boys: sports man, spider man, Ward boy, doctor, gun man, super man Edu- Toys Number & ABC Toys, Leap Frog, Magnetic Toys Visionary Brain activity Toys First Puzzles toys, Shape Sorter Toys, Building Block Toys, color blocks Visionary Arts & Music Music Toys, drawing books, colorful papers, piano, drums, whistle, etc Audio & Visionary Gaming toys Jumping Ball, Rope, Foot ball, Net, Skating shoes, etc Activity Charts Animal charts, Fruit & Vegetable, Kitchen items, Birds etc Visionary Books Kindergarten books, rhyme books etc. Visionary Audio Micro phone, mobile phone, tape recorder, radio, CDs, Speakers, Audio Animation A – V Cartoons, moving pictures, movies, films, Computers, Laptops, projectors, TV Interface A –V Multimedia Internet explorer, micro phones, Web Cam, blue tooth Interactive & interaction (www.sensationalbeginnings.com) Chapter 3 E-learning and E-teaching Learning and teaching with animation & interactive technique such as cartoons, movies, pictures, static or moving objects, computer graphics, video games, simulations, and different kind of sounds designed through computer, are very common in children. Learning and teaching with the help of electronic devices, called e-learning and e-teaching OR simply learning with animation. FLASH software and other operating systems such as Microsoft-PowerPoint, MS-Word, excel, MS-publisher, and Photoshop, are very popular and widely used computer programs for creating and designing animated programs for learners. Animated lessons are very attractive, effective, informative, colorful, pictorial, graphical, and descriptive, for learners. Animated lessons provide the facility to explore the information on computer but do some experiments and practice with the help of interactive tool. How can animation help in SB learning? Actually, animated objects inspire the children form very beginning for learning about different colors, sizes, shapes, sounds, and position of the object. When these objects or drawings appear on the screen and move from left to right or from up to down and vice versa, and when change their shape, color, size, or other properties attract and help the children in learning. Following are the examples for which teachers can use animation for teaching their students in the classroom. Teaching about traffic lights (Red, Yellow, Green) Teaching about different shapes (Triangle, Heart, Circle, Diamond, Rectangle) Teaching to compare among things (Big, Bigger, Biggest) Teaching about parts of body (Eye, Nose, lips, etc) Teaching alphabets using different sounds Teaching count objects & write the number Teaching differentiate animals and birds Teaching about gender and so on Animated (static) lessons help in SB learning Traffic lights Shapes Compare Count & write Types of animation Static animation: When the series of pictures, objects, data, tables, or other learning objects are displayed on screen or on slides in the still form, called static animation. Static kind of animation is very convenient and helpful in visionary learning. Dynamic animation: When pictures or objects appear on slides or on screens along with some movements or actions on its background or foreground, called active or dynamic animation. Following table # 2, shows the complete list of programs, type of animation, prominent features, and the purpose of learning & teaching. Table #2: list of animation and Interactive aids. Tool / Aid Type Features Purpose MS- Word Static Insert charts, tables, lists, pictures, text in different styles Animation MS-Excel Static Insert graphs, tables, formulas for performing auto calculations Animation PowerPoint Static / Dynamic Creating slides Animation & Interaction Photoshop Static Creating and edit photos to make an album Animation & Interaction Publisher Static / Dynamic Creating and publishing WebPages Interaction Flash Static / Dynamic Creating animated cartoon movies or stories Animation & Interaction YouTube Static / Dynamic Distance learning, real movie Animation, Interaction and interface How to make animation (Static animation)? Giving example from page 10, Teaching about Gender Using MS-PowerPoint Create a file GENDER Insert picture of girl on slide #1 Insert picture of boy on slide #2 Insert a picture of women on slide #3 Insert a picture of man on slide #4 Repeat the same procedure at least 3 times with different pictures Save the file Play this lesson in the classroom How to make animation (moving objects)? FLASH software provides such environment in which you can create motion or moving objects (animation & interaction) for learning children. Main features of FLASH software are: symbols and instances, animation, interaction, converting bitmaps to vector graphics, especial effects on objects & buttons, publishing movie on internet. Following lines shows the method in FLASH. Start FLASH Create New file from file menu Draw a filled circle on layer 1 Draw a filled square (or any shape except circle) on layer 2 Place the circle as the back wheel of the object Copy the object (key frame) of layer 2 on layer 3 Select the key frame of layer 3 & place wheel (circle) as the front wheel of object Come to 25th frame of each layer Insert frame (F5) Motion tween each layer Move the timeline slider towards last key frames Using select tool & drag and select all the objects on the main area (stage) Move all the selected objects to the right of the stage Test & see the animation Apply various properties and see the effects of objects on layer Save & play it for learners(Page # 22, presentation using Flash wonder teen) Characteristics of animation Helps in effective perceptual & conceptual learning Helps in capturing and maintaining attention of the students Helps in creating new ideas for learning Saves time, money, and energy of teachers, learners, and administration as well Animation can used to provide extra help in learning and teaching, where it is needed. It could be seen on films, video, or computers. How can interactive help in SB learning and teaching Audio Visual learners collect maximum information and then they use their ability to put this information in their own style. Computer also provides an excellent platform to put information in desirable form and from children do well with the help of interactivity. Some computer programs such as FLASH program allows you to create interactive short movies or short poems, in which your child/student can use the key board or mouse to move or jump the object or perform other operations on object which help the children to do their work independently. Animation & Interaction in the program help the children to learn about parts of computer & its uses. How Animation & interaction help in teaching? Due to highly concern of use of computer in children, put the teachers in force to use the computer animated lessons for teaching. That is why teachers prefer computers in the classroom for presenting lessons before students. Ms-Office and FLASH programs provide such environment and supporting tools along with various properties in which teacher can create simple animation and interactive movies using Action Script & other features. Relationship between Animation and interaction Animation and interaction are very necessary for learning and teaching children. Animation helps the children and teachers in exploring information either from internet or from computer, where Interaction helps in experimenting or practicing. Exploration is necessary for teachers to create massive information on the slides where practice is necessary for children in becoming creative and innovative. Practice and duplication actually keeps the children engage in the classroom and entertain them with the pictures. Teachers also influence the children to learn through animation because teacher can move around the classroom and can check every student in the classroom. At the same time learners could be creative and innovative in the field of IT. Interfaces Interfaces are like bridges or tools used to support and interact between user and computer. When these tools used to run animated programs, called animation interfaces. When these tools used with multimedia called interactive interfaces. Basic tools are computer, mouse, keyboard, joystick, microphone, speakers, projector, and internet. These tools provide an easy way to interact between user and computer. Animated interfaces are: Tools: Key board Mouse Joy stick Track ball Speakers Software: Ms-PowerPoint Flash Publisher Win-Moviemaker Interactive interfaces are: Tools: Computer Headphones Video cam Speakers Software: YouTube Skype internet explorer Learning with interaction Computer, Internet & Interactive tools provide the direct access between teacher and students from remote areas. These tools are beneficial in distance learning; students use these aids to listen and view the lectures delivered by the teachers when are not present in the classroom. Teacher records their lectures on net and student will connect them through internet such as Skype provide this facility to access it using microphone and video cam for listening clear voice and picture respectively on computer screen. Multimedia Technique Computer & networking technology could be used to get better results in teaching and learning. It helps the teacher and student to become prominent in education. It helps the students in learning from their teachers even their teacher is absent or they are away from classroom, each & every student can listen & ask some questions from teacher easily through video conferencing. Similarly, it helps the teachers when learner is not present in the class or in the college they can contact and teach those via video conferencing. It may become possible for both when their institute permit them to access these facilities. Multimedia, is not only useful in schools or colleges but it could be use in early education (sb education). In this regard, teachers can also use internet for listening poems on YouTube for learning them with actions, arranging meetings with parents of the students in the office of the school. Teachers can use it for learning how to teach children? Using internet search engines, thousands of papers will be displayed quickly for specific topic. The students can access web sites, online tutorials, blogs, and many more to assist them. Chapter 4 Research Methodology Research has been done from 100 students & teachers of 13 schools & colleges, on the basis of following questionnaire provided by the customer. This survey has been taken from 100 persons, 13 schools and colleges, 8 to 40years age groups. 36 were students/learners and 64 teachers. The Questionnaire 1. Name ____________________ 2. Designation (Student / Teacher)________________ 3. Gender (Male / Female) ________________ Age ________________________ 4. Do you use animation? Quite often __________ Often _________ Seldom ___________Never___________ 5. Which subject do you like to use animation? Math ___ Science___ English___ Physics___ All _______ 6. Which method you use for interactive? Face-to-Face______web-based______multimedia______software______All ______ 7. Do you think animation and interaction helped you in learning/teaching? Absolutely___ Yes___ A little________ Not at all________ 8. Can you list some merits and demerits of using animation in education? Merits: _________________________________________________________ Demerits: _________________________________________________________ 9. Do you think using animation can promote the quality of education? Absolutely___ Yes___ A little____ Not at all____ 10. Give some suggestions for improving the efficacy of animation & interaction for L/T ___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Analysis & Survey Report Research shows (Question # 4) that, animation is frequently used in both, learners & teachers. They feel that it is the basic need of getting education. 46% of total use animation for education. Answer of Question # 5, shows that, both, learners & educators, use and like animated lectures in all subjects. Not only science subjects but mathematical and business subjects also require some calculations solved through computer in teaching & learning. From Question # 6, it is proved that, the information available on web site is very clear, descriptive, and supportive for learning & teaching because several pages for selected topic, has been displayed on computer’s screen in different styles. Teachers use some software such as PowerPoint, Excel, Flash, and Macromedia for learning children in the classroom. 45% of the whole data, including teachers & children, like to access all kinds of animation tools, these tools provide them variety of learning teaching material. When we asked about that, is animation and interaction help you in learning & teaching? The answer was absolutely yes from majority of the teachers & students. Graph of Question # 7 shows the result. They told about, that animation leaves positive effects on education. No doubt, use of computer gadgets have many advantages especially use of animation & multimedia tools in education improve the quality among teachers and learners. From survey I found and conclude the following merits and demerits. Research for learning & teaching, but maximum no. of persons wrote that computer reduce the physical activity in children and in younger. Use of video games keeps the children away from reading books, and los of eye sight. Merits: Massive information is available regarding specific topic in few slides. Important for learning and teaching Easy to access and interact between user and computer Globally connected all the time Know about new Gadgets E-shopping, e-mail, e-business facility Demerits: Decline of physical work Easily use of prohibited sites for children Continues use of computer shows eye sight weakness Dependent on computers for learning Chapter 5 Data analysis Tables, Calculations, & Graphs QUESTION # 2 & 3------Gender under age group S # Age Group Male Female Both Male % female % 1 8--10 3 5 8 38% 63% 2 10--15 6 12 18 33% 67% 3 15--20 2 8 10 20% 80% 4 20--25 6 11 17 35% 65% 5 25--30 3 9 12 25% 75% 6 30--40 12 23 35 34% 66% Total   32 68 100     QUESTION # 4 ----------Use of animation in learning & teaching S # Question Both Student/Learner Teacher 1 Quite often 46 20 26 2 Often 28 8 20 3 Seldom 26 8 18 4 Never 0 0 0   Total 100 36 64 QUESTION # 5------Subjects like to use animation in L/T S # Subjects Students Teachers Both 1 Language 0 0 0 2 Math 0 6 6 3 Science 4 18 22 4 Entertainment 6 11 17 5 Physical Training 4 6 10 6 all Subjects 22 23 45 Total   36 64 100 Question # 9 Do you think that animation promote quality of L/T? S # Promote quality of L/T Students Teachers Both % 1 Absolutely 18 33 51% 2 Yes 16 21 37% 3 A little 2 10 12% 4 Not at all 0 0 0% Total 36 64 100% Chapter 6 Conclusion The findings of this research demonstrate & give you an idea for adopting animation for learning and teaching. Animation and interaction are not only work as a tool but also it works like a weapon in education by adopting better strategy which covers effective material and presentation. This research has been conducted from only 100 persons; its result may be changed from the average calculations. Use of interactive and interfacing electronic devices are not only practicable to children but has become viable tools among the learners / students. This study not only open new insights to the limitations of interactive animation, but also showed the necessity for instructors by using interactive animation which cast the effectiveness within learners. The necessity of interactive program designers is to find a balance between animation interactivity and program complexity. High interactivity is a common goal for animation designers, but it does not always improve student learning. Increased interactivity increases program complexity, which may decrease learners’ ability in using the program. Animation designers must be abiding from negative uses of objects specially when adding interactive functions for children. An animated program may have different effects due to students’ cognitive skills, prior knowledge or other individual differences. Based on the above discussion, future research could extend this research in the following ways: Explore 1. Students’ stability between animation interactivity and program complexity 2. Interactivity effect in a real-world classroom with instructional strategies instead of in a laboratory 3. The impact on the length of time of the interaction with interactive animation on learning 4. Increase the number of subjects for better statistical power 5. Perform qualitative research studies to explore students’ thoughts concerning the interactive animation program. Chapter 7 Works cited http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/auditory.htm The Audio Learning Style | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5296304_audio-learning-style.html#ixzz1ynoDYvLu http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/visual.htm http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/enviroprojects/what.html http://www.learningrx.com/cognitive-definition-faq.htm (Page # 22, presentation using Flash wonder teen, by APTECH computer education, ACCP, master today, what the world will learn tomorrow, www. aptech-globaltraining.com) Theories of Motivation in Education | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5010005_theories-motivation-education.html#ixzz1yK56CzUg http://www.sensationalbeginnings.com Read More