Animation for instruction

Good reasons to use animation Showing processes Showing dynamic relationships in space or time Exploring objects or spaces Demonstrating how things work Explaining concepts Visualizing the invisible

Showing processes /transistors.htmlhttp:// /transistors.html

Showing processes e_id=1348&option=more_detailhttp:// e_id=1348&option=more_detail

Showing relationships ogy/slope.htmlhttp:// ogy/slope.html

Exploring objects & spaces echnology.htmlhttp://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/titanic/technology/t echnology.html

How things work - designed things ridad_vial/2005/12/20/ phphttp:// ridad_vial/2005/12/20/ php

How things work - natural things ce/ genetics/index.htmlhttp:// ce/ genetics/index.html

How things work – experiential things prac/control.htmhttp:// prac/control.htm

Explaining concepts rypt.htmlhttp:// rypt.html

Visualizing the “invisible”

Poor reasons to use animation Junk animation – “Everything else is animated, so how do I add animation to this section?” Low control animation – “Here’s a complex series of steps, so sit back and watch me perform them at my pace, not yours.” Motivational animation – “I couldn’t bother to make this interesting, so how about some animation to cheer you up?” Faux-animation – there may not be anything wrong with this; just don’t call it animation!

Junk animation

Low control animation

Low control animation conditions/cardiovascular/heartpump-tutorial.htmlhttp://your-doctor.com/healthinfocenter/medical- conditions/cardiovascular/heartpump-tutorial.html

Motivational animation

Faux-animation

Faux-animation

Faux-animation The real name for faux-animation is “interactive graphics.” These are viable forms of representation for all kinds of information and the business of producing them is growing fast. They are not what you’re being asked for in project 3.

Tversky, 2003 ( ( “Animations use change in time to convey change in time. Animations are hard to perceive. People like them, but most of the animations are not productive. Graphics can convey information better than language. Animation in itself cannot. Interactive animations can add value. Why do animations fail? Animations are conceived as a series of discrete steps. Studies show very few animations are better than static graphs. Interactive animations are better than linear animations. High quality animations are better than graphics. BUT... most animations are low quality.”

Activity Consider the topic you are panning for project 3. Brainstorm – which part of presenting this topic might be served functionally through the use of animation? Draft a storyboard of that animation.

Activity Questions to ask yourself while you work on the storyboard: –What object, images or diagrams should be shown? –What view of those objects, images or diagrams should be shown? –Which motions are most critical for this animation? –Where should the control points be for the user of the animation?