Using Animations in Learning

Learning with animations

As posted in the previous post, technology has changed rapidly through the years, and as a result, so has our approach to learning. In previous years answers were gained from either a book or through a an expert in that field such as a teacher. However, in recent years, an increasing number of people are turning to the internet for alternative ways to gain information, allowing education to become more accessible. The video below is part of an animated series on YouTube. This specific episode aims to teach children about the water cycle.

Do animations improve learning?

Using multimedia tools to encourage learning can be seen as a positive way, allowing education to become more accessible and enjoyable. According to KidsHealth.org, children under the age of six watch TV and videos for at least two hours a day, with the number raising to 4 hours a day for 8-18 year old. With this in mind, using educational videos and animations could help improve the quality of education received by children as learning will continue after school. According to Mayer and Moreno (2002), animations can be a useful tool for education, however, it depends on how you use it. 

   Paik and Schraw (2013), conducted a study exploring the use of animations for learning purposes on 65, undergraduate psychology students between the ages of 18, and 44, in an attempt to discover whether animations improve the ability to learn information. The results showed that the animations has a positive effect on the learning and understanding of students with a 'low overall learning score', however, did not have any effect on the other students, suggesting that animations may have a greater benefit to people with additional learning needs (ALN).

   It is important to state, however, that too much focus on learning through multimedia tools can also have negative effects on the learner. In 2004, the BBC reported the negative effects of regularly watch TV on children.  They suggested that children under the age of two should not watch any form of TV (including animations) while older children should not watch more that 2 hours a day. This is due to research linking the effects of watching TV to the increase in ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) in children. 

 With these statistics in mind, I believe that using multimedia tools such as animations should only be used as part of a well rounded education and not as a substitute for traditional methods such as reading.

Reference:

Mayer, R. and Moreno, R. (2002). Animation as an Aid to Multimedia Learning. Educational Psychology Review, 14(1), pp.87-99.

Paik, E. and Schraw, G. (2013). Learning with animation and illusions of understanding. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105(2), pp.278-289.