Animating ideas: Communicating complex dynamic content

Abstract

The broadband environment removes previous technical barriers to using animated explanations for online and mixed mode learning. University teachers are keenly taking up the opportunities this environment offers for animated presentation of dynamic content, especially with complex subject matter that learners find demanding. However, merely presenting animations of demanding content may be ineffective, even when such presentations communicate in a highly realistic manner. Until recently, university teachers and educational designers \Vere largely reliant on their intuitions and experience to guide the development of instructional animations. Unfortunately, such guidance may be unreliable and misleading, with the results in terms of learning being disappointing. This presentation details key design factors to be considered when developing animations intended to foster learning of complex dynamic content and argues the need for ne\V approaches to guide design. It presents examples and practical strategies for improving the contribution that such animations can make to learning.