Animation For Education

Just a quick post to alert people to a new ‘ning’ group that has been set up by Oscar Stringer. Animation for Education is for those interested in learning how to make simple animation films in the classroom, and equally for those who already know how, to share tips and tricks to get the best results. There are recommendations for free and/or cheap software and equipment and links to Oscar’s main site where a pdf ‘how to’ guide can be downloaded. Examples of stop-motion clay-animation style work (think ‘Wallace and Gromit) made by teachers and children during training sessions are already being uploaded to the group. Here’s one I made with Lisa Stevens and eTwinning Project winner Sue in just under two-hours from start to finish, including planning, model-making, filming, editing and adding sound, yesterday morning.
Oscar was presenting at the British Council’s eTwinning conference in Nottingham earlier today, showing how the collaborative skills learned in creating a film transfer slickly for use in ‘twinning’ projects, linking work across schools and countries. The visual literacy of the media proving an ideal shared point of reference that transcends barriers of language and culture for children today.
Moreover the ICT skills and equipment needed really are very simple and accessible. It is highly likely you already have all you need to get started today in your classroom. All you need is someone to help show you which buttons to press and guide you through the process – which is where Oscar’s Animation For Education ning is there to help!
And if you have already been using animation techniques in your classroom, whether you consider yourself amateur or professional, wherever you are in the world – then please come along and tell us about it, post a blog and share tips in the forum.