The Digital Blue Cameras that we used only cost about £80-90 each. This is a similar price to a camera but I think the advantage of this camera is, that it is easier to use with young children.
Before we started we talked about groups. We all felt that lower primary should be given a topic to focus on which should help them to get started, whereas upper primary pupil's would thrive on the challenge of choosing their own topic. It is good for the children to learn to listen to each other's ideas and co-operate well in a group:
Co-operative learning has proven to be an enormously effective instructional method (Johnson & Johnson, 1999; Sharan, 1999; Slavin, 1994) (cited in Green, Brown & Robinson, 2008).
Mixed ability groups would work well whilst using animation as everyone can bring their talents to the group and learn from their peers.
The obvious next step for the children is to plan their animation. First of all, the group should brainstorm their ideas. My group managed this very well as we all work well in groups. WE had many ideas but chose the most popular idea.
After brainstorming, we used the storyboarding format. This breaks the animation down into the different scenes you want and helps to show how the different parts link together. I found this format helpful whilst filming as it kept us focussed on our storyline.
The children should be encouraged to take on a variety of roles in the group. This ensures that all children are using the required skills and contributing to the group.
Context for animations
I think animation could work well with many topics. It could be used with older children as an english lesson and they could add the speech in speech bubbles. Animation could build on an art lesson using clay. It could also be used to tackle relationships through looking at the body language of the characters (waving, turning away etc.)
Our animation:
We really enjoyed creating out Easter bunny, basket, eggs etc. We all made different parts of the set and whilst filming we all swapped our roles around to make it fair. Although I think children would really enjoy using animation, I can see that their are some disadvantages to it also.
Advantages:
- Enjoyable when creating their set
- using fine motor skills (using clay)
- using co-operative learning
- Relevance- children will enjoy creating their own animation as they will be keen fan's of many animation films
- High level of achievement- the children will feel proud of their finished product
and many more....
Disadvantages:
- It takes a long time to film
- children might put their hand in and have to delete a large part of their animation (talking from experience this can be rather frustating!)
Overall, I think children would LOVE using animation and I will definitely try and use this whilst teaching!
4 comments:
Lauren, your blog about our animation was interesting. Remember like Sharon said about reading over your blog before you post it (I admit I never really do it either) but this will help us eliminate simple errors i.e. using the wrong their there they're. Glad you enjoyed producing it though, hopefully we will get the chance to finish this as it was a super idea from you and looks as if it will be a fantastic group effort.
Keep up the good work.
Lauren this is a really good post you have thought about stages, grouping and advantages/ disadvantages. Would you use cooperative learning packs to help with group work?
You have given some thought to how you would use this with children, giving some of the advantages and disadvantages. In what context might you use animation?
You are showing more reflection in your blogs.Try to link your reflection to CfE.
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