Innovating with Technology

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Animation

What is it?

Stop-motion (or frame-by-frame) is an animation technique which makes a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own. The object is moved by small amounts between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames are played as a continuous sequence. Clay figures are often used in stop-motion animations, known as claymation. Stop-motion animation also includes cel animation, pixilation, puppet animation, and time-lapse.

What does it look like?

Using video camera

Students at Rosehill Secondary College developing animations

Applications / use in Victorian schools

  • Slow Down (Rosehill Secondary College 2008) - This project built on the research and work of Gary Hoban. A team of teachers developed and is now using an ICT learning design with a focus on the purposeful use of ICT at Year 7 and 8. Through the implementation of a ‘learning design’ to support their learning, students were guided in how to structure a digital environment. Students produced slow motion animations. As the responsibility for designing and making animations was shifted from the experts to the students, deeper learning occurred and students were able to identify the key elements, steps and components required. See: Students using animation
  • Science Animation Competition (2009) - In 2008, a state-wide science animation competition was sponsored by the Innovation and Next Practice Division (DEECD) and run through the Hume regional office. The competition encouraged students to explore science principles and document their findings through short (30 second) films or animations. Entries submitted described concepts such as thermal properties, transformation of a tadpole to a frog, respiration, phototropism, why the sky is blue, and pollution. For details of the 2009 competition, see: Australian National 2009 Science Video Competition
  • Nanotechnology Animation (Roxburgh College, 2007) - Secondary school students developed a short animation depicting the possibilities for detecting and fighting cancer with the aid of nanotechnology.
  • Musical Theory Animations (Vermont Primary School, 2006) - Primary school students developed a series of 8 musical theory animations teaching all the necessary skills to play the recorder. The animations were created using Macromedia Flash MX. See: Musical Theory Animations
  • Integration of Literacy, Arts and Technology using Multimedia in the Classroom (Bairnsdale Secondary College, 2005) - Wayne McCunie trained staff in the Kahootz program and then used the program to tell his story.
  • The Sun Bakers (Lara Primary School, 2004) - Marcia O'Brien led the students at Lara Primary School to win the Best Student Multimedia Production Junior K-8.
  • Integrated Claymation (Eltham Primary School, 2005) - Simple animations were created in the classroom to enhance students ICT skills and encourage interest in technologies.
  • ScreenIT past winners - The ScreentIT competition is an annual school animation, gaming or film competition for all Australian schools. The competition is co-sponsored by DEECD. For a small cost, teachers purchase kits with all the necessary resources to develop competition entries. Prizes are awarded at the end of each year. For details of the competition and past entries see: ScreenIT - ACMI Competition. The competition is now open.