Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T19:55:11.367Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

18 - The Animation and Interactivity Principles in Multimedia Learning

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Mireille Betrancourt
Affiliation:
Geneva University
Richard Mayer
Affiliation:
University of California, Santa Barbara
Get access

Summary

Abstract

Computer animation has tremendous potential to provide visualizations of dynamic phenomena that involve change over time (e.g., biological processes, physical phenomena, mechanical devices, and historical development). However, the research reviewed in this chapter showed that learners did not systematically take advantage of animated graphics in terms of comprehension of the underlying causal or functional model. This chapter reviewed the literature about the interface and content features that affect the potential benefits of animation over static graphics. Finally, I proposed some guidelines that designers should consider when designing multimedia instruction including animation.

What Are the Animation Principle and the Interactivity Principle?

In the last decade, with the rapid progression of computing capacities and the progress of graphic design technologies, multimedia learning environments have evolved from sequential static text and picture frames to increasing sophisticated visualizations. Two characteristics appear to be popular among instruction designers and practitioners: the use of animated graphics as soon as depiction of dynamic system is involved, and the capability for learners to interact with the instructional material.

Conceptions of Animation

Despite its extensive use in instructional material, computer animation still is not well understood. Baek and Layne (1988) defined animation as “the process of generating a series of frames containing an object or objects so that each frame appears as an alteration of the previous frame in order to show motion” (p. 132).

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Baek, Y. K., & Layne, B. H. (1988). Color, graphics, and animation in a computer-assisted learning tutorial lesson. Journal of Computer-Based Instruction, 15, 131–135Google Scholar
Betrancourt, M., & Tversky, B. (2000). Effect of computer animation on users' performance: A review. Le travail Humain, 63, 311–330Google Scholar
Byrne, M. D., Catrambone, R., & Stasko, J. T. (1999). Evaluating animations as student aids in learning computer algorithms. Computers and Education, 33, 253–278CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Catrambone, R., & Fleming Seay, A. (2002). Using animation to help students learn computer algorithms. Human Factors, 44, 495–511CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gonzales, C. (1996). Does animation in user interfaces improve decision making? Bilger, R., Guest, S., & Trauber, M. J. (Eds.), Proceedings of Computer Human Interaction, CHI'96, pp. 27–34. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: ACM PressGoogle Scholar
Hegarty, M. (1992). Mental animation: Inferring motion from static displays of mechanical systems. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition, 18(5), 1084–1102Google ScholarPubMed
Hegarty, M., Kriz, S., & Cate, C. (2003). The roles of mental animations and external animations in understanding mechanical systems. Cognition and Instruction, 2, 325–360Google Scholar
Hegarty, M., Narayanan, N. H., & Freitas, P. (2002). Understanding machines from multimedia and hypermedia presentations. In Otero, J., Leon, J. A., & Graesser, A., (Eds.), The Psychology of Science Text Comprehension (pp. 357–384). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum associatesGoogle Scholar
Hegarty, M., Quilici, J., Narayanan, N. H., Holmquist, S., & Moreno, R. (1999). Designing multimedia manuals that explain how machines work: Lessons from evaluation of a theory-based design. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 8, 119–150Google Scholar
Kaiser, M. K., Proffitt, D. R., Whelan, S. M., & Hecht, H. (1992). Influence of animation on dynamical judgments. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 18, 669–690Google ScholarPubMed
Kettanurak, V. N., Ramamurthy, K., & Haseman, D. (2001). User attitude as a mediator of learning performance improvement in an interactive multimedia environment: An empirical investigation of the degree of interactivity and learning styles. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 54, 541–583CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lowe, R. K. (2003). Animation and learning: Selective processing of information in dynamic graphics. Learning and Instruction, 13, 247–262CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lowe, R. K. (2004). Interrogation of a dynamic visualization during learning. Learning and Instruction, 14, 257–274CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mayer, R. E., & Chandler, P. (2001). When learning is just a click away: Does simple interaction foster deeper understanding of multimedia messages?Journal of Educational Psychology, 93, 390–397CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mayer, R. E., Heiser, J., & Lonn, S. (2001). Cognitive constraints on Multimedia learning: When presenting more material results in less understanding. Journal of Educational Psychology, 93, 187–198CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mayer, R. E., & Sims, K. (1994). For whom is a picture worth a thousand words? Extensions of a dual-coding theory of multi-media learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 86, 389–401CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Narayanan, N. H., & Hegarty, M. (2002). Multimedia design for communication of dynamic information. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 57, 279–315CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rebetez, C., Sangin, M., Betrancourt, M., & Dillenbourg, P. (2004). Effects of collaboration in the context of learning from animations. In Proceedings of EARLI SIG Meeting on Comprehension of Text and Graphics: Basic and Applied Issues, September, 9–11, Universitat de Valencia: Valencia Spain, 187–192
Rieber, L. P. (1989). The effects of computer animated elaboration strategies and practice on factual and application learning in an elementary science lesson. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 5, 431–444CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rieber, L. P., & Hannafin, M. J. (1988). Effects of textual and animated orienting activities and practice on learning from computer-based instruction. Computers in the Schools, 5, 77–89CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schnotz, W. (2002, July). Enabling, facilitating, and inhibiting effects in learning from animated pictures. Paper presented at the Dynamic Visualizations workshop, Knowledge Media Research Centre, Tübingen, Germany
Schnotz, W., Boeckheler, J., & Grzondziel, H. (1999). Individual and co-operative learning with interactive animated pictures. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 14, 245–265CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schnotz, W., & Lowe, R. K. (2003). External and internal representations in multimedia learning. Learning and Instruction, 13, 117–123CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schwan, S., Garsoffky, B., & Hesse, F. W. (2000). Do film cuts facilitate the perceptual and cognitive organization of activity sequences?Memory and Cognition, 28, 214–223CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schwan, S., & Riempp, R. (2004). The cognitive benefits of interactive videos: Learning to tie nautical knots. Learning and Instruction, 14, 293–305CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tversky, B., Bauer-Morrison, J., & Betrancourt, M. (2002) Animation: Can it facilitate?International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 57, 247–262CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zacks, J., Tversky, B., & Iyer, G. (2001). Perceiving, remembering, and communicating structure in events. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 130, 29–58CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×